Quick Release Anti-Tangle Earbud Storage.

I am making this as a quick and simple entry for the Pocket Contest. I chose quick and simple because I think that embodies the purpose of this contest. Rather than creating a new device to shove into already jammed pockets I decided to go the route of solving an existing problem. 
Tangled earphone wires. 
Everybody has had it happen. Everybody hates it. 

I've tested this method out on a few different types of earphone cords. The easiest to "link" are classic earbuds without volume adjustment pieces, whereas the hardest cords to work with are the "ribbon" style earbuds.

Because so many people have volume adjusting earbuds these days I thought it would be best to use these and tackle a few difficulties that may occur.

Step 1: The Problem

Okay. Scrounge in your back pocket or go find your jumbled up earphones in the bottom of your backpack. 

This is what you'll find. 

Step 2: Sorting It Out.

Untangle this un-tamely beast. 

Once this task is conquered we will start  by grabbing the headphone jack. 

Step 3: The Loop

So make a loop like this

Step 4: The Bight

So now you want to pull the long part (the end with the earbuds) through the loop. 

This is called a bight. 

For technical reasons, the end with the headphone jack is called the standing line
The end with the earbuds on is called the working line. 

I will rephrase this step.

Pull a section of the working line through the loop to create a bight.
Pull this bight and the standing line to snug the slack in the knot. 

Step 5: Continue "Bighting"

Continue to pull new loops through the previously made loop. This is slightly difficult to explain well, use the photos as a reference. Essentially you should make a nice little chain of loops. 

If you are having difficulty with this or the cord gets tangled, try undoing all your work and let your cord unwind.

Cords with twists in them make looping difficult. 

Step 6: Volume Adjuster Problem

Really this isn't too difficult of a problem.

Just make a slightly bigger loop that the volume piece fits in. 
Its better not to try to pull it through a loop as this will make it difficult to undo later. 

Step 7: Final Touch

So you can jam this beauty into your pocket and hope it doesn't unravel. Which it may not. 

However you can prevent unraveling with two handy tricks. 

1. Create a small loop close to the earbuds.
2. Pull the earbuds through the loop (I made the loop bigger so it's easier to see).

Step 8: Final Touch (2.0)

This tie-off is handy if you want to secure your earbuds to a carabiner or just want to compact them in a different fashion. 

1.Take the headphone jack and place it through the last loop created by the earbuds. 
2. Tug the headphones gently enough to seize the headphone jack (standing line) in place. 


To undo your work, simply remove the headphone jack or earbuds from the last loop and pull on them. All the loops should pull out and you're set to go!



I hope you have enjoyed this and find it useful. This method is quite common in sailing and film lighting for line storage.
Also this loop is what crocheting is based upon. So if you know anyone who crochets, ask them to help you out. 

Remember:
     -the tighter you make the loops the more the link will hold together. 
     -the looser you make the loop, the shorter  the overall links will be, but the looser the knot
     - over time, if tight loops are always tied then the wires in your cord will degrade. So don't overdo it!