Introduction: Paracord Bracelets With a Cardboard Loom
Paracord is one of our favorite materials to work with: you can use it for plenty of different crafts, it's durable and reusable...And it comes in plenty of cool patterns!
Today we'll show you how to use paracord to make bracelets - a favorite starter project for paracord fans. We'll also be using a loom you can come laser-cut at the MakerSpace using inexpensive cardboard!
Ready to dive in? Let's get started!
Supplies
For this project, you'll need the following supplies:
- a cardboard loom (you can use the files for a laser cut loom we attached to this step, or use it as an inspiration to make your own from a cardboard box)
- some paracord (you can find it in crafts stores or at a variety of online stores)
- a rubber band
- a couple coffee stirrers
You will also need the following tools:
- a marker
- a pair of scissors
- a pair of needle nose pliers
- a measuring device
- a lighter (and an adult you trust for supervision!)
Attachments
Step 1: Need Video or Print Instructions?
Do you like video instructions better? We've got you covered! Check below for video instructions, complete with 2 extra paracord projects - hair tie bracelet and a keychain!
If you'd like printed instructions, no problem! Just download and print the PDF file attached to this step.
Step 2: Prepping Your Bracelet Base
This step is all about getting the base of your paracord bracelet ready. Let's get to it!
First, go around your wrist with a piece of the paracord that'll be the base of your bracelet. Got it? Great! Then, double the length of paracord it took to go around your wrist: for example, if it took 10 inches to go around your wrist, make that 20 inches! And add another inch or two for good measure.
Next, fold that paracord in half and wrap it around your wrist, with the strand ends of the paracord going into the paracord loop: mark the loose ends where the stopper for your bracelet will be with your marker.
Now loop the loose ends of your paracord onto themselves where you made your mark for the stopper earlier, and tighten this stopper knot in place.
Finally, try your bracelet base on for comfort! If it feels good and you have room for a finger between your wrist and the bracelet base, that's perfect. If it feels too tight or too loose, adjust your stopper knot until it feels just right!
Step 3: Prepping Your Cobra Stitch
Now that we have a bracelet base, let's prep our decorative paracord!
With the bracelet base on your wrist, mark where you would like the decorative paracord to start and stop on your bracelet.
Measure the distance between the starting and finishing mark...Then it's time to do some math! For every inch of paracord on your bracelet, we will need one foot of of decorative paracord. Measure how much paracord you need with your measuring device (or the side of our paracord loom, if you're using it!) and cut. You're ready to do your cobra stitch!
Step 4: Assembling Your Cardboard Loom
If you've never worked with paracord before, using a loom is going to make your life a lot easier! We designed a loom for this project - let's show you how to put it together if you wanna use it! (Did you know? This type of loom is inspired by a traditional type of loom called a box loom)
First make sure you have all the pieces: two long ones, two short ones, and one brace.
Got everything? Perfect. Slide a short piece at the end of the brace, and do the same on the other end of the brave.
Next let's put the sides together. Flip the loom over the tabs point up, then slide on a long piece of the loom and do the same for the other side.
Finally, flip your loom upside down: your loom is ready!
Step 5: Mounting Your Bracelet Into the Loom
The paracord loom will hold everything in place for us as we focus on the cobra stitch! Let's mount the bracelet into the loom.
Put a coffee stirrer through one of the slots on the side of your loom and mount the stopper knot end of your bracelet on the stirrer. Run the stirrer through the slot across the other side.
Next, grab a rubber band, run it through the loop end of your bracelet and loop the rubber band in on itself before hooking it to the end tab of your loom!
That's it - this will hold everything in place for us, with the bracelet held taught by the rubber band and the stirrer.
Now that we prepped our paracord base, our decorative paracord and our loom, we are finally ready to start stitching!
Step 6: Cobra Stitch Time!
The cobra stitch is one of the most stitch styles for paracord: no surprise there, it's easy to do and beautiful!
It might still feel difficult at first, but take your time with the following steps and you will be just fine. And if something feels wrong, you can always go back a few steps and try again!
First, fold your decorative paracord in two. Put it under the start mark on the base of your bracelet base, loop end to your left, loose ends to your right.
Next, look at the loose ends to your right: one is at the top, one is at the bottom. Move the "top" strand under the "bottom" strand, then over the bracelet and all the way into the loop!
Move the strand that's left on your right under the bracelet base, leaving a little loop on the right hand side of the base! Now do it all over again, in mirror, from the other side. Then keep going!
Take your time with the cobra stitch changing sides every stitch until you reach your stop mark. It'll take a few stitches for the cobra stitch effect to come together, but go at your own pace, undo what you just did if it feels weird, and you everything will be OK!
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Now that you're at the stop mark, it's time for final checks and finishing touches!
Take your bracelet off the loom and tighten that last stitch. Try your bracelet on for comfort! If you still have enough room for your finger or it still feels comfortable, great! You are ready to move on. If not, you still can go back to the previous steps to adjust your bracelet.
If everything feels comfortable, trim the ends of your paracord close to the stopper know and clear the trimmings off your work space. If you're not an adult, time to bring one in for supervision!
Melt the fraying ends of the paracord with your lighter, and once they're nice and melted squish them with the flat of your scissors' blades. Repeat with all the other unfinished ends!
Step 8: You're Done (and Extra Projects)!
Congratulations, your bracelet is finished!
Paracord crafts have plenty of room for you to experiment. If you check our YouTube video, you will find two more paracord projects for you to try at the end. Instructables also has a great paracord category for you to check out too.
Enjoy playing with paracord, and remember to share your creations with us on Instagram with the hashtag #jocomakes! See you there!
