A unique and popular Paracord Necklace can be made with an all around utility cord made usually of 7 inner strands of nylon with an impressive breaking point at 550 pounds. The non-military commercial brands are commonly known as Paracord 550. The military version has a specific trait that distinguishes it to be the original and can be found inside the cord when cut in half. Inside you’ll find one of the layered strands to have a yellow and black cord. There is not much difference between the commercial variety and the original military version. But, commercial paracord comes in an unlimited assortment of colors – even glow in the dark…
Many types of braiding paracord can result in almost endless uses, a belt, a wristband, a necklace and countless others. A necklace is a great place to start when figuring out how to do it and of course further study will lead to many intricate weaving techniques, like double cobra stitch, flat weave and round weave.
A four strand round type of braid can make a nice even pattern for a paracord necklace using two pieces of paracord, and using two colors will make the pattern alternate. Paracord 550 can be used, but remove the inner core by pulling it out of the paracord sheath.
To make a necklace with two paracord colors you will need:
20 feet of 550 paracord (or 10 feet each of 2 different colors if you so choose)
Scissors
Pencil
Start by: (Thinking Stitching and Weaving to help visualize, go slow at first step by step)
- Having two lengths of paracord about 10 feet each. Rule of thumb is 1 foot of paracord normally works out to 1 inch of completed weave.
- Carefully pull the white inner threads pull and remove them out of the paracord outer covering sheath.
- On a flat table or surface lay the cords out, one vertical and the other horizontal but laying over the first one and intersecting in the middle and forming like a +.
- Bring the right vertical section over the horizontal piece, and then fold the horizontal cord on the left side up over the two vertical pieces. Then slide a pen or pencil through the two pieces of cord and make a small loop that we can use as the neck fastener point.
- Now bring the right cord of the vertical folding over the horizontal two, and then bring the right most horizontal cord up and over to fold over the right and under the two left vertical cords.
- Now snug and pull all four strands together and make very snug and tight. You should now see a square weave pattern at this point.
- Fold each of the top and bottom vertical cords over the square you completed above but do not cross them over each other.
- Now fold the right horizontal cord over the right-most vertical cord, and loop it back and under the left vertical cord. Do not pull these weaves tight just yet
- Fold the left most horizontal cord up and over the left vertical cord, and then bring it down and under the right vertical strand.
- Now you can snug all four cords and then make tight. You need to do this now after every successive weave is finished. Now repeat this braiding until the necklace reaches the desired length.
- To clean up and secure the loose end tie a double knot small enough to fit through the other end, this creates the fastener to fit the necklace together once fitted around your neck
- You can and should fuse the ends to prevent frying by holding each open end to a match, burner, or lighter, but be very careful as the melted nylon is extremely hot and very sticky until it cools.
If you haven’t already – try to make these:
A Keychain that make it easy to find in your pocket or purse weaved with a square flat pattern and especially with school colors.
A Dog Collar that is comfortable for your dog, can be your favorite colors and is extremely strong even after many uses.
A Watchband can come in quite handy and is also comfortable on the wrist and again very very strong.