How To Make a Four Strand Round Braid Dog Leash From Paracord

There are many uses for paracord. It's durable, virtually indestructable and washable, too! Paracord makes an excellent dog leash since it is lightweight and super tough.

I have just started up my new blog Bloggie Stylish where you can find all kinds of neat tutorials, like this one.

Step 1 Tools That You Will Need

These are the tools that I use when I braid paracord. You will need 2 hemostat clamps, a C-clamp, scissors, a flexible measuring tape and a small woodburning tool. You can commonly find the woodburning tool at most crafting stores. The brand that I use is a Lenk. Of course, you will need a snap that is size appropriate to your dog and the paracord, ofcourse.

Paracord will shrink when it gets wet so you must preshrink it so that your finished project won't get all misshapen the first time you take your dog for a walk in the rain. To preshrink the paracord, soak it in hot water for a few minutes and then lay it on a flat surface to dry. I usually preshrink a bunch at a time to that I always have plenty on hand when I need it.

I am making a 5 foot leash, with a 5 inch allowance for the handle, so to determine how much paracord that you need, break down the length of your project into inches and multiply by four. 65" X 4 = 260" so I will need 2 seperate paracord strands that are EACH 260" long.

Comments

[finghin]

Awesome! Was really frustrating at first, I kept losing my place in the braid and forgetting what I was doing. The second attempt went much quicker and smoother.

[Jerry E]

I actually found and followed this tutorial from your blog before I saw it here. This was my first paracord project, although I have played with this same braid before.
It really turned out great, and I am motivated to try some new projects. Thanks for a well done instructable!

[hohum]

take a soldering iron, or and old iron, and heat smusch the end to look like a trumpet bell, it would give the piece a finished look and be harder for the material to pull out

looks great


jack

[jsgraham]

Very nice instructable.  I'm glad someone has finally made a noteworthy instructable outlining this braid.  I've used the same braid with gutted paracord to make neck lanyards for ID badges.  I made a 3-1/2 foot leash for our Pekingese because it's easier to control him in the car.  He loves to go for car rides.