http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

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Woven paracord bracelet/watchbandby Stormdrane on July 12, 2008

Table of Contents

Woven paracord bracelet/watchband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Woven paracord bracelet/watchband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   To begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 3:   Add the watch and adjust for wrist size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4:   Begin weaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5:   Threading the watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 6:   Continue on the other side of the watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 7:   Finishing up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

Intro:  Woven paracord bracelet/watchbandThis tutorial will show how to make a paracord bracelet or watch band using a weaving method. More knot work with releated links and resources can be seen on myblog page, Stormdrane's Blog.

Step 1: SuppliesFor this project, you'll need approximately 10 feet of paracord, scissors, lighter, tape measure, hemostats, watch, and a 5/8" side release buckle. I used a 5/8" ITW Nexuscontoured side release buckle, but you can use other less expensive ones like those found at Creative Designworks.

Paracord can be found at local Army/Navy stores or from various online sources: Supply Captain, Lighthound, Rotokid, Cool Glow Stuff!, ebay, etc...

The actual amount of paracord that will be used depends on your wrist size. My wrist is about 8.5 inches and I actually used around 8 or 9 feet after finishing thebracelet/watchband. So using 10 feet is a safe estimate for most folks, since having too much cord is better than coming up short when making your project.

*If making a watchband, the watch needs to have about 5/8" space between the lugs(where the watch pins go) so that 5 strands of paracord will fit.

Step 2: To beginMeasure about 20 inches from one end of your length of paracord. This is where you'll loop onto one end of your side release buckle. Once attached, you'll have thelonger section which will be your working end and the shorter end which is just attached to the buckle ends and will be tucked in when finishing the bracelet/watchband.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

Step 3: Add the watch and adjust for wrist sizeIf making as a watchband, this is where you take the strands of paracord from the looped section of the buckle and run them over the watch pin, under the watch, andover the other watch pins. Then you loop the paracord around the other buckle end twice.

At this point, you'll measure the distance between the buckle ends for your wrist size. The distance should be equal to your actual wrist measurement. The weavingprocess will stretch this original spacing of bracelet/watchband about another inch after tightening as you reach the finishing point.

*Don't include the prong section half of the male end of the buckle in your measurement. It is snapped into the female half of the buckle when worn and isn't used infiguring the wrist measurement.

Now bring the cord ends back thru the watch pins, along side your first pass, and around the starting buckle end.

*If you're just making a paracord bracelet, you'll just be going from one end of the buckle to the other without adding the watch.

Image Notes1. If making as a watchband, this is where you take the strands of paracordfrom the looped section of the buckle and run them over the watch pin, underthe watch, and over the other watch pins. Then you loop the paracord aroundthe other buckle end twice.

Image Notes1. At this point, you'll measure the distance between the buckle ends for yourwrist size. The distance should be equal to your actual wrist measurement. Theweaving process will stretch this original spacing of bracelet/watchband aboutanother inch after tightening as you reach the finishing point.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

Step 4: Begin weavingNow you begin weaving the long working end of your paracord. The shorter end will be left out until it's time to finish the bracelet/watchband, and tuck it into the weave.

This weaving process is called 'weaving with three warps'. You'll be going around the outer cord with your working strand, under the center two cords(which you treat asone cord), and around the other outer cord.

You weave it back over the center two strands and around the outer, continuing this process, back and forth. Try not to leave too much slack as you go to keep the weaveuniform. Every couple of weaves, push your work tight, up towards the starting buckle end.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

Step 5: Threading the watchOnce you've reached the point where your watch will be centered, push the watch tight against the woven cord and bring your working strand thru the pin along side theother cords under the watch, and back thru the other pin.

*If making the bracelet, there' s no watch in the way, so just keep weaving. ;)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

Step 6: Continue on the other side of the watchContinue weaving the paracord, keeping a uniform look, and tightening as you go.

A pair of hemostats can help work the cord around as you get close to the buckle end, making the last couple of weaves.

Step 7: Finishing upTo finish up, you'll take the working strand around one of the outer cord, so it's coming thru the under side of the bracelet/watchband.

*Check for a good fit on your wrist at this point. If it's too loose or too tight, untie, adjust your starting measurement longer or shorter to correct, and try again. I have to dothis myself sometimes. ;)

Take your hemostats and work them thru about three of the center weaves, towards the buckle end. Grasp the working strand and pull it back thru the center weaves.

Trim the end with your scissors, quick melt the end to prevent the cord from fraying, and tuck it under the weave.

Now do the same with the shorter end of cord and you're done.

If you measure again, you'll see that the finished length is about 1 inch longer than the starting measurement. This will vary depending on your tightening of the weave asyou go, but should make for a loose/comfortable fit.

Enjoy!

*Anyone that's worn a nylon/paracord bracelet/watchband knows it can get dirty and smell funky after a while of use. I use an old soft bristle toothbrush to scrub withsoap/water in the sink to clean it(while it's on the watch(hopefully yours is water resistant/waterproof), and let it air dry overnight.

*A note on paracord shrinkage:

Ubraidit.com mentions that paracord may shrink as much as 10%-12%(especially black and kelly green), so they recommend soaking the cord first. They note that it's theinner strands that shrink, not the outer sheath. I believe they use 450 or 650 grade paracord, which I think, has a few loose fibrous polyester filler cords instead of theusual 7 twisted nylon strands, found in 'Type III 550 mil-spec paracord which isn't supposed to shrink up. I've mostly used the mil-spec type paracord, so if it's shrunk onme, it's not noticeable. YMMV ;)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

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Paracordwatchband/braceletwith a siderelease buckleby Stormdrane

Comments

50 comments Add Comment view all 193 comments

 VoiceofTJ says:  Dec 31, 2010. 9:03 PM  REPLYThis came out pretty good for my first try. Got the shackle at Home Depot. I went with the Cobra on this one.

 pyrocop1 says:  Mar 13, 2011. 2:26 PM  REPLYHey I would like to know size your buckle ( d ring thing) is? thanks

 thatbellevuekid says:  Feb 21, 2011. 8:24 AM  REPLYHow confortable is the shackle? I really like the idea (I hate having indestructible paracord with a plastic buckle), but I'm not sure I'd want to wear that allday every day,

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

 Rantmachine says:  Feb 24, 2011. 9:50 AM  REPLYI have one with a shackle ... it is very comfortable but a pain to put on and take off.

 VoiceofTJ says:  Mar 6, 2011. 11:44 PM  REPLYYou're right, the shackle is not easy to don/remove, but I think the look is better than the plastic buckles. Plus in an actual survival situation, Ithink I could find a use for the shackle.

 NetReaper says:  Jan 16, 2011. 12:11 PM  REPLYWow, that looks really nice

 VoiceofTJ says:  Jan 17, 2011. 12:55 PM  REPLYThanks, I may try a kink cobra on the next one. I am pretty pleased with it!

 crazypenguin says:  Jan 9, 2011. 3:04 PM  REPLYCould you possibly use a monkeys fist instead of a buckle

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 9, 2011. 3:10 PM  REPLYSome folks use a knot and loop closure instead of a side release buckle for various paracord bracelets, but a monkey fist is going to be a bit on the largesize with the bracelet. A smaller lanyard knot can also be used, as can beads or buttons. It comes down to what you're comfortable with. YMMV

 WILL62 says:  Feb 19, 2011. 10:12 AM  REPLYI went to a fabric store by my house and all the buckles they had were way too large....so I had to get some things at dollar tree I thought mebby Icould find one there. I got my stuff and was looking around the aisles for something I could find with a "side release buckle" on it and lo and beholdon the pet aisle was a nylon cat collar with the perfect 5/8" side release buckle for $1.00 I'm still grinnin........

 Stormdrane says:  Feb 19, 2011. 11:21 AM  REPLYYep, the first buckles that I used for paracord bracelets, came from pet collars and old bags/backpacks that I could scavenge them from. ;)

 crazypenguin says:  Jan 10, 2011. 12:35 PM  REPLYif i were to but a smaller knot on or button how would i do it to where i could still get the style of weaving you use? i just cant see how i could do it andstill get four strands.

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 10, 2011. 1:17 PM  REPLYIt would be complicated, laying out the cord as if the side release buckle ends were there, and weave from there. You'd really need to do it with acork board and pins to hold everything in place, or set up a board with nails at a specific length... It could be done differently, but that wouldrequire a whole tutorial in itself, to replicate the same method I used, without using buckles...

You could try following the 'ladder rack knot' tutorial, on khww.net, which is for a lanyard/fob, but can be made longer as a bracelet, and it lookssimilar to the woven style.

There's really just unlimited variables when making variations of paracord bracelets, and with all the existing knots to use or combinations ofthem, it comes down to doing a lot of experimenting to make one that works for you. YMMV ;)

 crazypenguin says:  Jan 10, 2011. 2:27 PM  REPLYthat website you recommended would work you would just need really long loops for wrist length. thanks for sharing the website that shouldhelp.

 Paracord Ninja says:  Feb 10, 2011. 3:10 PM  REPLYStormdrane I like all of your instructables this one is awesome thanks

 Paracord Ninja says:  Feb 11, 2011. 2:19 PM  REPLYI used this design over the past months and it works great

 Jackstools says:  Jan 14, 2011. 10:53 AM  REPLYVery nice, thank you, your photos made this project very easy and fun

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

 dtittle says:  Jan 6, 2011. 12:45 PM  REPLYHas anybody tried this on a G-Shock watch? Just wondering. These look awesome, I can't wait to make one.

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 6, 2011. 1:10 PM  REPLYBand attachment points on a G-Shock are smaller/different than the normal watchpin/lug setup, but there is an 'adapter' available, so NATO/ZULU typenylon bands can be used, and I've seen examples of folks using paracord with those adapters.  I don't know whether or not a wider paracord band willwork with that setup...

 nerfer192 says:  Jan 1, 2011. 10:49 AM  REPLYis this just the trilobite bar like in the video by TIAT but with a single strand/color?

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 1, 2011. 11:14 AM  REPLYNo, this is a woven method done with one working end, the trilobite/ladder rack/six pack/washboard knot is done with two working ends.

 nerfer192 says:  Jan 1, 2011. 11:54 AM  REPLYi see, thanks for the reply. is there a way to make a bracelet with a side release buckle using the trilobite bar?

 Stormdrane says:  Jan 1, 2011. 2:13 PM  REPLYYes, you'd loop your cords onto one buckle end, run them down around the other buckle end, measuring wrist length, then the working ends ofthe strands go back up to the first buckle end to start knotting.

 frank15 says:  Jan 1, 2011. 9:49 AM  REPLYthanks stormdrane it turned out great

 VoiceofTJ says:  Dec 30, 2010. 5:45 PM  REPLYI saw a bracelet with a stainless steel shackle for a clasp, I may try this using the shackle, you'd have one more useful survival item with you.

 Jerry99 says:  Dec 8, 2010. 4:11 PM  REPLYWhat do you do when you have to replace the watch battery ??

 Stormdrane says:  Dec 8, 2010. 5:13 PM  REPLYRemove one of the watch pins, remove and replace battery at the now accessible backside of the watch, Then replace watch pin back under theparacord. You can also remove both watch pins to change to a different watch, using the same paracord band. This applies to the other patterns ofparacord watchbands too.

 rozalinda says:  Dec 6, 2010. 10:04 AM  REPLYvery nice....thanks.

 eyang says:  Nov 29, 2010. 10:51 PM  REPLYi like this one,good job.

 Chimex13 says:  Nov 29, 2010. 12:21 PM  REPLYMe gusta :)

 crazydude234 says:  Nov 27, 2010. 9:46 AM  REPLYthis is a great present for people that like off road sort stuff like walking boots andkhaki coloured stuff kwl

 digitalhawkeye says:  Feb 20, 2010. 8:10 PM  REPLY I'd like to point out that after making the bracelet, I wish I had given myself an extra half inch to an inch as the band fits rather tightly, especially given thebulk of the cord adds to the overall circumference of the measurement.  I might take it apart and retry it, but the instructions are easy very easy to follow so Iwas thankful for that.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

 raggyrat says:  Nov 26, 2010. 11:22 PM  REPLYthats a good point, but i like this instructable, thanks xxxx

 polettdaniel says:  Nov 24, 2010. 2:31 AM  REPLYWow, that's an excellent idea!

 remmer says:  Oct 27, 2010. 5:56 AM  REPLYsuper

 stoomcdoo says:  Sep 8, 2010. 7:42 PM  REPLYI did it! The twist/kink problem was significant. Junits15's tension method helped. Thanks! I used an elastic string around my waist, and parachute cord to achair on the other end. Also I didn't have hemostats for the finish, I made do with needle nosed pliers (one strand at a time). I'll upload pics when I borrow acamera.Thanks Stormdrane!

 biker_trash_1340 says:  Apr 8, 2010. 2:13 PM  REPLYJust got done with mine. looks good, but I had to take the 7 strands out. It was to thick, for me. TX

 Stormdrane says:  Aug 28, 2010. 2:25 PM  REPLYGood job!

 berta_84_30635 says:  Aug 18, 2010. 9:19 PM  REPLYlooks really cool with the strands taken out!! I'm gonna have to try this!

 Nostalgic Guy says:  Aug 28, 2010. 5:59 AM  REPLYJust finished my first two last night. They are both watches that mean a great deal to me that I previously was unable to wear. The first was given to me bymy fiancée, it belonged to her late father, the chrome plating has been damaged a great deal but I am planning to remove the rest then polish & lacquer thecopper underneath. The other is a Timex Indiglo Expedition given to me as a birthday gift from my sons about 15 years ago, the original strap was worn outas I seldom wore any other watch & unfortunately I was unable to find something I thought suited it, I used a clip from a wallet chain as I wanted something abit different my now grown up sons would appreciate. Thanks Stormdrane for the inspiration to get them back into service.

 Stormdrane says:  Aug 28, 2010. 2:25 PM  REPLYNice work!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/

 pokerstud001 says:  Aug 12, 2010. 4:46 PM  REPLYWhat use is this when you don't tell us where to get the watch without a band!

 stoomcdoo says:  Aug 28, 2010. 7:06 AM  REPLYKeep living! Your watchband will wear out.

 Nostalgic Guy says:  Aug 28, 2010. 5:48 AM  REPLYYou could always try car boot sales or second hand shops. I see watches with damaged straps or no strap at all every time I go to a boot sale. From nowon I will be on the lookout for suitable ones to give a new lease of life to as gifts for friends.

 13elinda says:  Aug 4, 2010. 9:43 AM  REPLYThis is a great watchband! I've made some for my husband and some of his friends. I've had an awful time finding light blue paracord! I've found royal blue,colonial blue, navy blue, but no light blue. I'm looking for the kind of blue that's the colors of the University of North Carolina Tarheels. Does ANYONE knowwhere I can find it???

 Nostalgic Guy says:  Aug 19, 2010. 1:23 PM  REPLYI got mine from here http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Five-Star-EDC They have a really wide range of colours & come highly recommended.

 jrh065 says:  Aug 14, 2010. 12:56 PM  REPLYI'm not sure this website has what you need, but they seem to have a ton of colors.http://www.lighthound.com/search.asp?keyword=paracord&search=GO

 Chewie42 says:  Aug 2, 2010. 9:24 PM  REPLYThanks Storm it worked out great

 jdebaun says:  Jun 8, 2010. 9:40 AM  REPLYIf you are in a hurry, i wouldn't recommend Supply Captain for paracord. I ordered some paracord on May 11 and finally got it on June 8.

 Snakeyes_98 says:  Jul 8, 2010. 7:22 PM  REPLYInteresting... I ordered 6 100ft hanks from Supply Captain on July 2, and recieved it on July 5th. Thats including the Holiday.

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