http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

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Paracord bracelet with a side release buckleby Stormdrane on February 17, 2007

Table of Contents

Paracord bracelet with a side release buckle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Paracord bracelet with a side release buckle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 2:   Measure wrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 3:   Find the center of the cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 4:   Finding the bracelet length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 5:   Start making the knots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 6:   Continue knotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 7:   Trim the excess cord and melt the ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 8:   You're finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 9:   Other variations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Intro:  Paracord bracelet with a side release buckleThis tutorial will show how to make a paracord bracelet with a side release buckle. When made on a larger scale, you can make this for use as a dog or cat collar as well.I get my paracord from the Supply Captain and the side release buckles from Creative Designworks. More projects, links, knot references can be seen on my blog page,Stormdrane's Blog.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Step 1: MaterialsYou'll need paracord, or equivalent 1/8" diameter cord, a tape measure or ruler, scissors, side release buckle, and a lighter(torch lighter works best). The amount of cordused can vary, but for this example, we'll use 10 feet of paracord to start with. Actual amount of cord used for the bracelet is about 1 foot of cord for every 1 inch ofknotted bracelet length. So if your wrist is 8 inches, you'd use approximately 8 feet of cord.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Step 2: Measure wristWrap the paracord around you wrist and make a note of where the cord meets. Hold this point next to your ruler or tape measure and that's your wrist size.

Step 3: Find the center of the cordHold the ends of the cord together and find the center of the loop. Take the center of the cord and pull it thru one end of the buckle(either side of the buckle, it doesn'tmatter). Now pull the cord ends thru the loop until it's tightened up and attached to the buckle.

Step 4: Finding the bracelet lengthTake buckle apart and and pull the free ends of the cord thru the other part of the buckle, sliding it up towards the attached part. You're going to measure the distancebetween the two buckle ends for the bracelet size for your wrist. Add about 1 inch to your measured wrist length, this will make the finished bracelet a comfortable fit.You're measuring from the end of the female part of the buckle to the flat part of the male end of the buckle(the part with the prongs, they don't count for themeasurement because the fit inside the female part of the buckle when the bracelet is closed.).

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Step 5: Start making the knotsThe knot used for the bracelet has a few different names, cobra stitch, Solomon bar, and Portuguese sinnet. Take the cord on the left side and place it under the centerstrands running between the buckle ends. Now take the cord on the right side under the left side cord, over the center strands, and thru the loop of the left side cord.Tighten up the cords so the half knot you just formed is next to the buckle. Now take the right side cord under the center strands. The left side cord goes under the rightside cord, over the center strands and thru the loop of the right side cord. Tighten up the cords(not too tight, just until they meet the resistance of the knot) and now youhave a completed knot. You will continue doing the alternating the left and right sides as you go. If you don't alternate, you'll quickly see a twisting of the knots, just undothe last knot and alternate it to correct.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Step 6: Continue knottingKeep tying the knots until you have filled the space between the buckle ends. The knots should be uniform from one end to the other. Tie each knot with the same tensionto keep the them all the same size.

Step 7: Trim the excess cord and melt the endsYou can now use your scissors to trim off the extra cord closely to the last knot you tied. I trim one at a time, and use my lighter to quickly melt the end I cut, wait asecond for the melted cord to cool just a bit and then use my thumb to press the melted end onto the surrounding cord so it hardens as it attaches. You must be carefulwith this step. The melted cord is extremely hot, and it's possible to get burned, so you might also try using a soldering iron or wood burning tool for the melting step if youwish, or even use something like a butter knife or the knurled section of a tool to flatten out the melted end of the cord to finish it.

An alternative to melting the ends, is to tuck/pull the ends under the last couple of knots. I have used hemostats to do this on the inside of the bracelet, then trim them tofinish. It does work, and is just barely noticeable as the cords add a slight buldge at that end of the bracelet.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Step 8: You're finishedIf you did everything correctly, it should look something like this finished one. Once you know what you're doing, you can vary the amount of cord used by making theknots tighter or looser and pushing the knots closer together as you go can use more cord.

A tip for paracord bracelets: If the side release buckle is large enough, you can loop the paracord around them again before you start knotting, to fill in the extra room onthe buckle.

The 1/2" side release buckles are a tight fit for this, but will work, and the 5/8" size are just right.

This leaves a two strand core for the bracelet when you start knotting.

Now, you could also have a four strand core by starting with a lark's head on the first buckle end, double wrap on second buckle end(at your wrist size), run cord back toand over the first buckle end, then start knotting over the four strand core.

Or, for a six strand core, lark's head first buckle, run the two strands around second buckle(at your wrist size), back to and around first buckle(now has four strandsaround), then back to and around second buckle, and start knotting around the six core strands.

This gives extra cord in case you need it for whatever, but it also makes the paracord bracelets thicker and more rounded, which I personally didn't care for and that'swhy I stick with the two strand core. YMMV

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

Image Notes1. Tip: The paracord is looped around the side release buckle twice to fill in theextra space on 5/8 " sized buckles.

Step 9: Other variations.Once you have the hang of the basic bracelet/collar, you can add another layer of cobra stitches overlapping first set of knots, called a king cobra stitch/doubled Solomonbar/doubled Portuguese sinnet. The amount of cord used for a king cobra is about twice as much as for the regular stitch. Glow-in-the-dark cord can be found atCoolGlowStuff.com. Both the 1/16" and 3/32" sizes work well for the bracelets and can be used alone or combined with paracord.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

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SurvivalBracelet(Updated!) bytevers94

Paracordwatchband/braceletwith a siderelease buckleby Stormdrane

Cobra WeaveKey Fob bytevers94 Tidying fastex

buckle onexistingbackpack bymsgr33

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How to make arugged andhandy ParacordBelt. by Jake22

Comments

50 comments Add Comment view all 464 comments

 JeF4y says:  Nov 7, 2008. 6:42 AM  REPLYStormdrane - Thank you for this awesome tutorial. I just made 4 of the bracelets, all turned out nice. Single series of knots for the ladies & a double series(king cobra) for my son & I. Very fun, simple & looks great. For terminating the ends, I left the final knot a little loose and ran the working ends back under it,Used a pliers to pull everything good & tight, cut it off flush & melted together. Even using pink paracord it still looks good.

 JeF4y says:  Nov 8, 2008. 2:01 PM  REPLYSo a couple of comments with some pics. My wife doesn't like the slide release, and prefers a bracelet that slips over her wrist (a bit bigger). So I simplymade the whole loop with no buckle or anything but the cord. Was very easy to start the wrap, going over the center point of the cord and work my wayaround like that. When I finished, I turned the bracelet inside out so that the finished end was toward the inside. Second is just a pic of making a dogcollar out of this loop. Took about an hour and about 20' of paracord.

 Stormdrane says:  Nov 8, 2008. 2:18 PM  REPLYWell done! Thanks for sharing. :)

 zerrodach says:  Jun 26, 2009. 8:30 PM  REPLYvery good instructable. very detailed. do you know how well this would work with a twisting design rather than alternating? by the way, i found a clip on mykelty backpack that works in place of the side release buckle.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

 Stormdrane says:  Jun 26, 2009. 9:10 PM  REPLYThe twisting(spiral) design does work, but is usually done with smaller diameter type cord when used as a bracelet, because of the thickness(height) thatit would sit above the wrist.

 sixtrees says:  Nov 14, 2009. 12:57 PM  REPLYGreat job,  you inspired me to make one of my own. I didn't have a snap buckle though, so I modified mine.

 Zeke330i says:  Nov 22, 2009. 12:33 PM  REPLY Thanks for the great Instructable! I've been looking for a new collar for my Mastiff, Zeke, for a while now and thought the King Cobra stitch would look prettygood. I used 45' of Bright Red (wife's idea) 550 Paracord and a 3/4" side release buckle, both from Supply Captain (thanks for the link). I also re-appropriated a "D" ring from an old collar so I could hook a leash to him for walks. Using some extra 550, I made a few Chain Sinnet bracelets based on theinstructions from your blog. Great stuff, thanks for posting. 

 fiftyoneman says:  Dec 20, 2009. 12:54 PM  REPLY This looks great - do you have an instructable on how you did it? I can't work it out from the photos.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

 awsome pie says:  Dec 20, 2009. 6:36 PM  REPLYWow that bracelet looks awesome u should make an instructable for that if you haven't already tell me when you do. 

 sixtrees says:  Dec 26, 2009. 12:23 PM  REPLYOK, I don't think I need to post a full instructable for my bracelet because I just combined two posted instructables. But I will tell you what I did.Measure your paracord according to stormdraines version, but add 1 foot. Tie the knot that is in this version.http://www.instructables.com/id/In_and_out_Knot_and_loop_Bracelet/So I started it like kcardwel's but instead of tieing it to furniture and using a seperate piece of cord, I braided it like stormdraine. The end part was alittle tricky. I braided it to the end until there was only enough room to fit the two loose ends of cord through the loop. I had one slightly longer end so Iused that one to form the loop for the  big knot, I think I tied a knot so the loop was in place. I then loosely wrapped the ends around the loop 3 timesand then fed the cord through those loops (like a noose). I then pulled them tight and ran them down under the braids of the bracelet.  Hope this helps :)

 h2kkeister2002 says:  Mar 3, 2011. 3:18 PM  REPLYI just wanted to say this is by far my favorite way to make these bracelets. I've made 3-4 so far and I'm getting rather fast at it. Once you learn this methodyou can also go as far as using it to make waterfowl lanyards as well.

Here's a picture to show both of them mentioned above. Thanks again!

 Achan20 says:  Feb 21, 2011. 3:55 PM  REPLYvery cool. i (like others) used it for a collar for my dog. i made it a bit too big tho. but he is only 3 months! thanks! awesome instructible!

 miller8179 says:  Feb 7, 2011. 4:23 PM  REPLYAny idea where to get those shiny D anchor shackles in bulk?

 Stormdrane says:  Feb 7, 2011. 10:09 PM  REPLYGoogle 'marine parts supply' and find a place that has the size/type of shackle you want, then call them to haggle for a 'bulk' price

 hndhurd says:  Jan 23, 2011. 3:08 PM  REPLYThank you! I found a demo on YouTube that was very helpful too!

 hndhurd says:  Jan 22, 2011. 2:01 PM  REPLYI have been making the 2 color bracelets and wondered if there was a more secure way to "tie on" to the buckle to get started. On occasion the knot iscoming undone. I can't seem to find the instructions on this anywhere. Thanks!

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 22, 2011. 7:51 PM  REPLYIf your connection of the two colors is coming apart, you need to make sure to further strengthen it by running a needle and thread through it or use adrop of super glue. After looping onto the buckle with a larks head/cow hitch, the connected section should be just off center of where the cord isattached to the side release buckle, where it will be knotted over.

 epicismymiddlename says:  Jan 19, 2011. 3:55 PM  REPLYThis is AWESOME! Finally made one, I've looked at this instructable like 100 times! Of course, its for my bro's 16th birthday...Ah well I'll make myself oneeventually

 nd34794 says:  Jan 17, 2011. 2:18 PM  REPLYthis is what has really helped me and that makes me so happy because these instructions really helpful

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

 nd34794 says:  Jan 17, 2011. 2:10 PM  REPLYthis is awesome

 adamp232 says:  Aug 17, 2010. 11:26 PM  REPLYi used a d shackle instead of a side release buckle

 Vvajk says:  Dec 1, 2010. 8:45 PM  REPLYWhere did you get the D Shackle? I like that. Can you just get one at a hardware store that small?

 Frag says:  Jan 10, 2011. 6:07 PM  REPLYif there is one near you, try a boat shop or a marina. you might even find one for free if your lucky.

 adamp232 says:  Dec 2, 2010. 11:47 AM  REPLYi got mine from a hardware store in by the fasteners. I’m in New Zealand and got it from Miter 10 Mega.

 Locus0mega says:  Feb 22, 2010. 6:44 PM  REPLYExcellent instructable, very clearly set out. For the record, I found that the cord just wasn't melting enough with a Bic lighter [I haven't got a butane one!], buta soldering iron worked great.

Now onto the King stitch! :D

 radiantmatrix says:  Jan 1, 2011. 4:39 PM  REPLYA Bic lighter is a butane lighter. A Zippo or similar is a naphtha lighter.

The problem with Bic lighters isn't the fuel, it's the intensity of the flame and the challenge of holding at the right angle. I personally like to use a candlewhen I'm working with synthetic cord, as it gives me more control and costs less to burn than butane/naphtha.

 jamieleehall says:  Dec 25, 2010. 6:10 PM  REPLYI've been trying to make a dog collar with a D-ring incorporated into it to attach a leash to and I have been stuck on trying to figure out how to get the D-ringworked into the stitching. Can someone please help me with this?!?!? Thank you!

 Stormdrane says:  Dec 26, 2010. 12:37 AM  REPLYYou can run the core strands of the collar through the D-ring, then knot over/around them where you want it on the collar. The knots will hold it in place.

You can look at examples of other paracord dog collars posted on Google(images) to see how it looks.  Some put the D-ring in at the buckle, and othersoff to the side or on the opposite end from the buckle, it's up to you.

 island5 says:  Dec 12, 2010. 12:46 PM  REPLYso it just like making macrame only with a sturdier cord and buckles.

 Stormdrane says:  Dec 12, 2010. 1:14 PM  REPLYThe same knotting goes by different names depending on the source: cobra stitch, Solomon bar, Portuguese sinnet, square knotting, etc... The squareknot itself has been in use for thousands of years. With paracord, the bracelet is decorative and useful, since you can untie it and use the cord for othertasks if needed.

 calipber says:  Dec 11, 2010. 9:34 PM  REPLYOk im like in panic mode right now, I purchased 3/8 buckles from your dealer site, but you suggest 1/2 or 5/8 will the 3/8 still work or did i just order the wrongset, please let me know asap im trying to do these for xmas gifts!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

 Stormdrane says:  Dec 11, 2010. 10:28 PM  REPLY3/8" buckles work fine, you just can't double loop the paracord around the ends since just two strands will fit, but that's ok with this instructable, as shownin the instructions. The 1/2" and 5/8" are larger and are useful with other types of paracord knotted/woven bracelets.

 steve1583 says:  Dec 6, 2010. 2:10 PM  REPLYhope someone can help me...I have seen bracelets with three colors..it seemed like one color was running down the middle under the other cords that areknotted..can someone help me please...thanks

 adamthiede says:  Nov 14, 2010. 9:14 PM  REPLYawesome. Do you have one sans buckle?

 EGT1984 says:  Nov 10, 2010. 10:10 AM  REPLYWhen I was making mine I wanted the knotted pattern closer together so I pulled the knots closer together. The end result was a stiffer bracelet with a(seemingly) more complex pattern. Simply hold the female connector and pull the knots down the bracelet to make room for more knots.

 corrysoccer16 says:  Oct 24, 2010. 4:49 PM  REPLYI used your braid with a monkey's fist for the buckle substitute and it works well.

 ChristyDurr says:  Oct 17, 2010. 4:20 PM  REPLYThis is a great craft, looks easy, especially because i was into making hemp necklaces once and it uses the first knots I learned. Also there is a market forthese bracelets because paracord is good for emergencies, there are companys who actually sell these bracelets because of the safety uses.

 janglur says:  Aug 5, 2009. 6:29 PM  REPLYthankyou where do u get the contour ones i popped some off of a backpack but there not bent

 bkn535 says:  Sep 8, 2010. 11:35 AM  REPLYyou should be able to find them at an Army/Navy store

 Rick G says:  Oct 5, 2009. 7:04 AM  REPLYI got my clip off of a dog collar from wal mart

 Stormdrane says:  Aug 5, 2009. 7:18 PM  REPLYYou can find some at Creative Designworks. Some others on ebay. Or you can look for cheap dog/cat colors that have the buckles to scavenge, atwalmart, big lots, etc...

 AvalanchX says:  Sep 6, 2010. 8:26 PM  REPLYyeah got 50 feet of 550 cord at the BX (base exchange) for like 5 bucks....

 titansfan78 says:  Sep 3, 2010. 8:52 PM  REPLYI'm looking to find how how to make the paracord bracelet with the single color in the middle. i have seen them with all black with a single blue cord in themiddle, i think it is double wrapped but not sure. the bracelets are popular with law enforcement and fire fighting. and help would be appreciated

 Stormdrane says:  Sep 3, 2010. 10:24 PM  REPLYThe 'thin blue line', 'thin red line' type paracord bracelets are tied the same way, only you add the separate color by interweaving that cord while you'retying the bracelet. You work the cord over/under the knots as they're tied around the core strands. The cord just needs to be long enough to tuck theends under the knots at both ends of the bracelet to finish.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/

 SabreLightning says:  Sep 3, 2010. 4:39 PM  REPLYWhen you do this, do you recommend gutting the paracord?

 Stormdrane says:  Sep 3, 2010. 8:26 PM  REPLYI usually leave the paracord's inner strands intact, but you can remove them if you prefer.

 china candy says:  Aug 28, 2010. 6:40 AM  REPLYA beautiful bracelet, worn on the hand is good looking. Because time time difference between China and the United States is different so no one answeredmy ^-^

 Wolffman201 says:  Aug 27, 2010. 10:33 PM  REPLYThe cheapest 550 Cord I've found so far is here: http://www.parachute-cord.com/

 jeffconnelly says:  Aug 19, 2010. 11:25 PM  REPLYGreat Instructable, Stormdrane - you should put more of your blog stuff on here. I just found out that there's a guy selling survival bracelets with a shackle fora closure, and I think I might try that, as it seems more durable than the cheap buckles I've used in the past. -Jeff Oops! Looks like adamp232 beat me to it. || | V

 StanUK says:  Jul 31, 2010. 2:53 AM  REPLYHi, I am hoping you can help please. I am new to the forums and joined up after discovering survival bracelets and wanted to learn how to make for my son. Iam stuck on a couple of things so if you could help me that would be really great. I can see that you have used one colour for the bracelet but I wanted touse two but not attempt the King Cobra knot (as you have demonstrated in step 9). I am also a bit lost on which way to pull the cord over the initial strand i.efrom the front or back. Sorry if this is stupid but everytime I do it it just pulls appart. I have found the knot for it hear but it's not clear (using your method) if itgoes over the front or the back when using the buckle? I am also curious as to the best way to finish off the bracelets.. I have seen in other posts peoplehave used lighters. Im wondering if a soldering iron would be better... Thanks for your time!

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