No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Todd Mikkelsen, except by a reviewer, who may quote short passages in a review where suitable credit is given.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 – What Do You Need? Chapter 2 – Paracord Prep and the Cobra Weave Bracelet Chapter 3 – Two Color Splicing Chapter 4 – Two Color Piranha Weave Bracelet Chapter 5 – The Millipede Weave Bracelet Chapter 6 – King Cobra Weave Key Fob and Diamond Knot Chapter 7 – Neck Lanyard with King Cobra Weave and Diamond Knot Chapter 8 – Paracord Necklace with a 3 cord Braid Preface Life has its ways of shutting doors and opening new ones for you. I was a science teacher for 14 years. I taught everything from computers, math, and science. I earned a BA in Earth Science Education and a Masters in Education with a Physics emphasis. I used project based activities such as water bottle rockets and mouse trap cars to help students understand basic scientific concepts. The door to the world of education closed. Another door opened for me when I tried to teach my two daughters how to make paracord bracelets in the summer of 2011. Neither one showed much interest in making bracelets at the time but they still wore them. My oldest daughter wore the paracord bracelets to middle school and several of her friends wanted one. Those friends told their friends where they got the bracelets. So, demand turned into a business. Please, visit my shop, blog, and videos: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tcords
All of the information here can be easily found on the internet. However, I have always found it nice to have a hard copy of basic information. Why? The internet may go down and you will not have access to information to refer to. You may be sitting on your couch making bracelets and you can’t remember the next step. This is when it is nice to have a book sitting next to you on a tablet or in paperback.
Chapter 1 – What Do You Need?
If this is a hobby or a business and you want to make paracord bracelets, key fobs, and lanyards time and time again, you will need several tools that will assist you. These tools will reduce the time it takes to make them and help relieve the anxiety or frustration when working on a project. Most of the items listed in this chapter can be found on popular internet market places. Keep in mind that these are the tools that I prefer to use. Other paracordists may have differing opinions. You will need the following items:
1. 550 Paracord The standard for most paracord bracelets and accessories is 550, 7 strand core, paracord.
2. Paracord Jig A paracord jig is used to help stabilize paracord so it is easier to work with and help minimize frustration. However, making the bracelets by freehand can be rewarding too. One can also substitute taping the buckles to a piece of wood or table. A clipboard can also help make a bracelet.
3. Fid A fid is used to thread paracord through several loops of paracord.
4. Threading Needles Threading needles will be needed for mending two cords together.
5. Thread or Fishing Line Thread should be the same color as the cord. The transparent property of fishing line is useful to keep stitches hidden.
6. Lighter A lighter is used to singe or melt the ends of the paracord.
7. Needle Nosed Pliers Pliers can be used to help take apart a project due to an error or redo. The flat, non-textured, part of the pliers will be used to flatten the melted cord.
8. Forceps Forceps are used similar to fids in pulling paracord through several loops.