How to Make a Paracord Bracelet With Buckle

Paracord is one of the must-haves for climbers. After all, you never want to run out of rope! Paracord is a lightweight nylon rope that was first used by paratroopers in World War II. But paracord turned out to be useful for much more than just parachuting. It soon spread in popularity throughout the military forces and eventually to civilians as a handy utility cord for multiple purposes.

Paracord is made up of 7 woven nylon strands. These strands are braided neatly into one thin but strong cord. Paracord can be used for securing objects to trees or tents, attaching items to harnesses, tying things down on a vehicle rack or in a pickup, and for emergency purposes like a tourniquet or other survival needs. In fact, the seven strands can be unwoven when thinner cording is needed, as in replacing a broken shoe lace.

Because of its many purposes useful to climbers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, people have worked for years on devising a convenient method of carrying paracord along, just in case. Some have made keychains and others belts, but a more popular method is the paracord bracelet. To make a paracord bracelet is relatively simple, starting with 550 lb. paracord and a side-release buckle.

A typical bracelet will hold 8 feet of paracord, as one inch of paracord braiding can hide one foot of paracord length. If you want to carry more, you can do a double length and wrap it around your wrist twice before buckling. Fold the length of choice in half, slide on one half of the side-release buckle and tape or otherwise secure the mid-point with the buckle piece. Now start tying alternating knots as follows, starting with the left side: Take that side of cording and pass it under both strands. Follow that with the cord on the right side, running it underneath the other cord, over the two, and through the left-side loop. Tighten it up firmly.

Now, repeat the steps from the opposite direction. Now, remember that you will be attaching the side-release buckle, so before you go on, take the two little loops on top of the cobra-stitch pattern and loosen them up. (If you don't want to use a side release buckle, you can leave it off, making a knot ball at the end and hooking the loops you make over the ball.) These loops will help you tighten the finished version before adding the side-release buckle. Now repeat alternating the left and right pattern, until you get close to the end of the loop. The last half inch is needed for the buckle (or knot ball).

You will need a lighter or other flame for burning off the cut ends so they do not fray. This will also facilitate sliding the strands through the slide holes you made. Tie a sturdy knot to secure the other end of buckle with the two free strands. Cut off the excess and burn remaining frayed ends. Now wear this whenever you are out and about and if you ever need paracord, voila! You're covered. Don't be afraid to make a belt with this technique once you've mastered it, if you need more length. Have fun on your adventures!