Paracord bracelets have become a popular accessory for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and fashion enthusiasts alike. Made from durable paracord, these bracelets can be unraveled and used in emergency situations. But, beyond their practicality, paracord bracelets can also be a fun and creative DIY project.
Paracord, short for parachute cord, is a lightweight nylon rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. Nowadays, it is widely used in the outdoor and survival community due to its durability and strength. In this article, we will explore 17 different ways to DIY paracord bracelet patterns that you can try at home.
Before we dive into the different patterns, let’s talk about the materials you’ll need. The main material is obviously paracord, which comes in different sizes and colors. You’ll also need a buckle, which will serve as the closure of your bracelet. Some patterns may require additional tools such as a lighter or a pair of scissors.
Before you begin, you’ll need some basic supplies:
- Paracord: You can purchase paracord in a variety of colors and lengths online or at your local craft store. It’s recommended to use 550 paracord, which has a breaking strength of 550 pounds.
- Buckles: You’ll need a buckle to fasten your bracelet. You can find buckles specifically designed for paracord bracelets online or at your local craft store.
- Scissors: You’ll need scissors to cut the paracord to the desired length.
- Lighter: You’ll need a lighter to melt the ends of the paracord and prevent fraying.
Choosing Paracord Bracelet Patterns
- Wrist Size: If you have small wrists, stick to the thinner, lighter paracord patterns.
- Amount of Cordage: Some paracord weaves hold a lot more cordage. If you find yourself using cordage often, choose one with more cordage.
- Buckle Size: You’ll need a wider weave if you have wide buckles. Small buckles = narrower weaves. When using a loop as a closure, I prefer narrower weaves.
Amount of Paracord
Generally, use 12 inches of cord per inch of bracelet. However, the amount of paracord per inch will vary depending on:
- The pattern being used
- The size of the cordage (if you want a thinner bracelet, consider using smaller cordage – even if it isn’t as strong)
- How tightly you make your knots
- How much paracord you’ll need to make your final knots (beginners will prefer having extra length to make those knots!)
DIY Paracord Bracelet Patterns & Instructions
The Cobra Knot Bracelet is the most basic and popular paracord bracelet pattern. It is easy to make and requires only one color of paracord. It’s also known as the Solomon bar or Portuguese sinnet.
Materials Needed:
- 10 feet of paracord
- Buckle
Instructions:
- Cut a length of paracord to 10 feet and fold it in half.
- Thread the folded end of the paracord through the buckle and pull the loose ends through the loop.
- Tighten the knot by pulling on the loose ends.
- Start by making a loop with the left-hand cord, placing it over the center strands and under the right-hand cord.
- Take the right-hand cord and place it over the loop and under the center strands.
- Pull the right-hand cord through the loop and tighten the knot.
- Repeat steps 4-6, alternating sides until the bracelet is the desired length.
- Once you reach the end of the bracelet, thread the loose ends through the other half of the buckle and tie a knot.
- Cut off the excess paracord and use a lighter to melt the ends.
The King Cobra Bracelet is an advanced version of the cobra knot bracelet. It requires more paracord and a longer time to make, but the end result is a thicker and more durable bracelet.
The Fishtail Bracelet is a simple and elegant pattern that is perfect for those who prefer a slimmer bracelet. It requires two colors of paracord and basic braiding skills.
Materials Needed:
- 8 feet of paracord
- Buckle
Instructions:
- Cut two lengths of paracord to 4 feet each.
- Fold one length of paracord in half and thread it through one end of the buckle.
- Take the second length of the paracord and tie a knot around the folded end of the first length.
- Place the knot and the buckle in the center of the two lengths of paracord.
- Take the left-hand cord and place it over the center strands and under the right-hand cord.
- Take the right-hand cord and place it over the loop and under the center strands.
- Pull the right-hand cord through the loop and tighten the knot.
- Repeat steps 5-7 until the bracelet is the desired length.
- Thread the loose ends through the other half of the buckle and tie a knot.
- Cut off the excess paracord and use a lighter to melt the ends.
The Thin Line Bracelet is a variation of the fishtail bracelet that features a single thin line of color. It is a great way to add some color to your bracelet without being too flashy. Check out this tutorial by ParacordPlanet.
The Rattler Paracord Bracelet is another popular paracord pattern that has a unique and intricate design. It gets its name from the rattlesnake-like appearance of the weave. The design is made by creating a series of loops and knots that interlock with each other.
- Measure and cut two lengths of paracord, one measuring 10 feet and the other 2 feet.
- Melt the ends of each paracord piece to prevent fraying.
- Take the 10-foot length of the paracord and make a loop at one end.
- Take the shorter length of the paracord and tie it around the loop, creating a small loop at the bottom.
- Take the longer piece of paracord and start weaving it in and out of the smaller loop, creating a series of loops and knots that interlock with each other.
- Continue weaving until you reach the desired length for your bracelet.
- Finish off the bracelet by tying the two ends of the 10-foot length of paracord together, and cutting off any excess.
- Use the smaller loop at the bottom of the bracelet to secure the bracelet around your wrist.
The Sidewinder Paracord Bracelet is a unique and intricate design that gets its name from the zigzag pattern that runs through the middle of the weave. This pattern is made by using a series of loops and knots that interlock with each other.
- Measure and cut two lengths of paracord, one measuring 12 feet and the other 2 feet.
- Melt the ends of each paracord piece to prevent fraying.
- Take the longer piece of paracord and make a loop at one end.
- Take the shorter length of the paracord and tie it around the loop, creating a small loop at the bottom.
- Take the longer piece of paracord and start weaving it in and out of the smaller loop, creating a series of loops and knots that interlock with each other.
- When you have a few inches of weave, start adding in a second color of paracord, weaving it in and out of the first color to create the zigzag pattern.
- Continue weaving until you reach the desired length for your bracelet.
- Finish off the bracelet by tying the two ends of the longer piece of paracord together, and cutting off any excess.
- Use the smaller loop at the bottom of the bracelet to secure the bracelet around your wrist.
Viper Knot Bracelet is a unique pattern that features a snake-like design. It requires two colors of paracord and some intermediate knotting skills.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a viper knot paracord bracelet:
Materials Needed:
- 2 pieces of paracord, each at least 6 feet long
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Buckle (optional)
Instructions:
- Begin by taking your two pieces of paracord and folding them in half. You should now have four strands of paracord.
- Next, tie a simple knot in the middle of the strands. This will be the starting point of your bracelet.
- Now, separate the strands into two groups, with two strands in each group.
- Take the strand on the left side of the left group and cross it over the two strands in the right group. Then, bring the right strand from the right group over the left strand that you just crossed over, and then thread it under the two strands in the left group.
- Pull the two strands tightly together to create your first knot. This is the viper knot.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the other side.
- Continue steps 4-6 until you reach your desired length.
- Once you’ve reached your desired length, tie a simple knot at the end of your bracelet.
- Cut off any excess paracord, leaving about 1 inch of excess on the end.
- Use your lighter to melt the ends of the paracord to prevent fraying.
- If desired, attach a buckle to the ends of your bracelet.
Congratulations, you’ve completed your viper knot paracord bracelet!
More Patterns to Check Out
The Dragonfly Knot Bracelet is a beautiful pattern that features a dragonfly design. It requires two colors of paracord and some advanced knotting skills.
The Trilobite Bracelet is a complex pattern that features a three-dimensional design. It requires three colors of paracord and some advanced knotting skills.
The Shark Jawbone Bracelet is a unique and challenging pattern that features a shark jawbone design. It requires three colors of paracord and some advanced knotting skills.
The Sawtooth Paracord Bracelet is a simple yet stylish pattern that only requires one color of paracord. It is a great project for beginners.
The Sidewinder Bracelet is a variation of the cobra knot bracelet that features a unique, curved design. It requires two colors of paracord and some intermediate knotting skills.
The Mad Max Style Bracelet is a popular pattern that features a rugged, post-apocalyptic look. It requires two colors of paracord and some intermediate knotting skills.
The Katana Wrap – This newer design was inspired by a character in the Walking Dead. It looks cool but is pretty easy to make. You make a fishtail paracord bracelet and then wrap a contrasting color around it to make the katana-style sword wrap.
Bane’s Cuff – This is a six-strand beast of a bracelet. It holds tons of cord and comes in extra wide for that rugged look.
Conclusion
These DIY paracord bracelet patterns are just a few of the many designs that you can create with paracord. Whether you’re looking for a simple and classic design, or something more intricate and unique, there’s a paracord bracelet pattern out there for you. By following these step-by-step instructions and using the resources provided, you can easily create your own custom paracord bracelets that are both functional and fashionable.
So why not give it a try and see what kind of paracord bracelet you can create?
References:
“How to Make a Paracord Bracelet” by Instructables: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-Paracord-Bracelet/
“Paracord Bracelet Instructions” by Stormdrane: https://stormdrane.blogspot.com/2007/11/paracord-bracelet.html
“The Fishtail Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/fishtail-bracelet/
“The King Cobra Paracord Bracelet” by The Weavers of Eternity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnGJp1Z-_TI
“The Snake Knot Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/snake-knot-bracelet/
“The Sidewinder Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/sidewinder-bracelet/
“The Trilobite Paracord Bracelet” by The Weavers of Eternity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4G1H4QTl4o
“The Thin Blue Line Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/thin-blue-line-bracelet/
“The Thin Red Line Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/thin-red-line-bracelet/
“The Thin White Line Paracord Bracelet” by Paracord Planet: https://www.paracordplanet.com/tutorials/thin-white-line-bracelet/