Learning resilience in knots
- gbucknell
- Nov 16, 2025
- 3 min read
The Story Behind a Simple Paracord Bracelet
A paracord bracelet is more than just a bit of woven cord around your wrist—it’s a small piece of practical history. Originally derived from the parachute cord carried by World War II paratroopers, paracord quickly became a soldier’s best friend in the field.
Light, strong, and endlessly versatile, the cord found its way into shelters, gear repairs, and emergency situations of every kind. Over time, troops began weaving it into bracelets so they could carry several metres of cord without adding weight or bulk.
Some even tied in a button from a mate’s uniform to act as a fastener and a quiet symbol of friendship, remembrance, and the bond forged in service.
Today, this tradition has grown beyond the military. Outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and everyday adventurers craft paracord bracelets both as a practical tool and a personal statement.
Inside a single strand are seven strong inner threads—widely known as the 7 inner strands—each one capable of being separated and used for fishing line, snares, sewing, repairs, or first aid. In a survival scenario, that little bracelet on your wrist can become a whole kit of possibilities.
But a paracord bracelet isn’t just about utility—it’s also a reminder. In Everyday Bushcraft we tie it to remember that knots help us, not only in the bush but in our everyday lives. Knots strengthen, secure, and connect.
They hold things together when the world gets rough. And the act of weaving one knot after another becomes a quiet metaphor for resilience: the bonds we form, the challenges we face, and the struggles that may twist and tangle but are never truly insurmountable.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a simple paracord bracelet yourself—easy enough for beginners, practical enough for the bush, and meaningful enough to carry a story of your own.
Materials
Paracord: Approximately 10 feet, for a bracelet that fits up to a 7-inch wrist. You can use one color or two for different colored knots.
Buckle: A 3/8-inch or 5/8-inch side-release buckle.
Tools: Scissors or a knife, and a lighter.
Step 1: Prepare the paracord
Find the middle: Fold the paracord in half to find the center.
Attach the buckle: Push the folded loop through one side of the buckle (the part without teeth), then bring the loop over the two loose ends and pull tight to form a cow hitch knot.
Connect the other buckle: Take the two loose ends of the paracord and thread them through the other side of the buckle, making sure to keep the cords flat and untwisted.
Size the bracelet: Pull the loose ends to slide the two buckle halves away from each other until the loop is the correct size. A good way to measure is to leave a small space for two fingers under the bracelet when it's around your wrist, or make it about one inch longer than your wrist measurement.
This video shows how to prepare the paracord and adjust the bracelet size: 58s
Step 2: Weave the cobra knot
Start the knot: Place the right-hand cord over the two center strands. Then, bring the left-hand cord down over the right cord, around the back, and up through the loop on the right side.
Tighten: Pull both loose ends to tighten the knot.
Create the mirror image: Repeat the process, this time starting with the left cord. Bring the left cord over the two center strands, then bring the right cord down over the left, around the back, and up through the left loop.
Continue alternating: Continue this alternating process, tightening each knot and pushing them together to keep the weave snug and even.
This video demonstrates how to tie the cobra weave knots: 43s
Step 3: Finish the bracelet
Trim the ends: Once the bracelet is the desired length and the knots have reached the second buckle, trim the two loose ends, leaving about a 1/4-inch tail.
Melt the ends: Use a lighter to carefully melt the cut ends. This prevents the paracord from fraying.
Flatten: While the end is still hot, use the side of the lighter to press the melted end flat against the knot for a secure, low-profile finish.
Repeat: Repeat the melting and flattening process for the other end. Your bracelet is complete.
This video shows how to finish the paracord brace with 3 optional methods.
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