Introduction: How to Make a Paracord Dog Leash Using the Seesaw Knot

By Doggie Stylish
About: I love to make things & work with my hands. I mostly make stuff for dogs and sometimes I dabble with recipes, too. Right now I'm in the process of setting up a DIY blog for pet lovers.

Since I've shown you how to make the dog collar, let's make the matching dog leash! It's actually easier to make than the collar, you'll just need a little more paracord.

If you liked this tutorial, you'll *love* my blog, Bloggie Stylish. There are lots more cool tutorials to see there!

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

You’ll need a few basic tools to make this project. A C-clamp, hemostat clamps, scissors, a lighter, a flexible measuring tape, a dog leash snap and paracord.

Parachute cord shrinks by 10% when it gets wet. To preshrink the paracord, soak it in hot water for 5 minutes and then hang it to dry. You can also use the washing machine & dryer, it's up to you.

To determine how much paracord you will need, the project length must be broken down into inches and multiplied by five. So, I’m making a four foot leash with a five inch allowance to make a handle loop. Therefore 53″ X 5 = 265″. For making this leash I will need TWO cords that EACH measure 265″ long


Step 2: Arranging the Cords on the Snap

Fold both of the cords evenly in half and run the loop of each cord through the eyelet of the snap. Take the loose ends of the cords and run them through the cord loops. Tighten the cords so that the loops are snug against the snap eyelet.

Step 3: Clamping Down the Snap

Clamp the snap to a steady surface like a table top. This will keep your knot work steady and you can put tension on the cords when you are knotting.

Step 4: Knot One

To make the seesaw knot, we will be knotting alternating half-hitch knots. Take the first colour of cords, bring it behind the second set of cords and through the loop that you have just created. Gently tighten up your knot. Don’t tighten too much or your knot work will begin to twist.

Step 5: Knot Two

You will now take the second colour of cords and make a half-hitch in the OPPOSITE direction.

Step 6: Knot Three

Take the first colour of cord and make a knot in the same direction as you did with knot one. Keep knotting in alternate directions until you make a knotted cord that is 53″ long. You can measure it with the flexible measuring tape.

Step 7: Starting the Handle Loop

From the END of the knot work, measure out five inches and fold it over on the leash.

Step 8: Finishing the Cord Ends Part One

This is where the hemostat comes in handy. If you don’t have one, that’s cool. A pair of needle nosepliers will do just fine.

Find the closest spot where a turquoise cord goes under a blue cord. Poke the hemostat clamps under the blue cord, grasp the turquoise cord and pull it through. Repeat this for the blue cord, running it under a turquoise cord. Repeat this "back knotting process once more. Stretch the leash out with your hands, this will allow the cords to settle properly into place. Now trim the cords relatively close to the leash so that they look like the second picture.

Step 9: Finishing the Cord Ends Part Two

Here’s the part where you get to play with fire, so be careful! The melted ends of the paracord get really hot and a hot plastic burn isn’t cool! With your lighter, place the flame as close to one set of the cut ends as you can. When the paracord gets all brown and bubbly, take the flat side of your knife & press is against the same coloured cord that is directly below it. Repeat this for the second set of cords. If the ends are a little rough and not to your liking, you can do another pass with the lighter.