How to Make a Paracord Fender Keychain

For those who don’t know, a fender is a bumper used mainly on boats to keep the boat from being damaged from bumping into objects.
While this isn’t an actual fender, it serves as a great decorative keychain.

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Step 1: SUPPLIES

3- Strands of paracord that are 40 inches long will create a keychain that is four inches tall (loop included)
Scissors (any instrument that will cut the cord will work)
Lighter
Ruler or Tape Measure (I prefer to use a yardstick)
Masking Tape (any tape that will stick and hold to the paracord)

arowan3 says: May 12, 2013. 3:21 AM

im really struggling with the foot knot to finish, any chance you have a video or a couple more pics ? i get to the stage where i need to put the ends through again, then it looks nothing like yours!

TheGeek1984 says: Apr 22, 2013. 12:45 AM

Well, I went from a very easy water bottle handle to this. The foot hold knot at the top stumped me, but I was finally able to pull it off. Mine doesn't look as good as yours at the top, but for my second paracord project ever, I think it looks pretty darn good.

paracorded_inspirations says: Apr 11, 2013. 5:25 AM

I can't tie the foot hold knot at the top could you give a link to a taturial on that knot thanks

paracorded_inspirations says: Apr 10, 2013. 7:41 PM

I'm in Canadian sea cadets and that is actually a bell rope commonly found on a bell for decuration and a Handel

ColtsFan9710 says: Oct 11, 2012. 4:27 AM

I will definitely be trying this within the next day or so... if I can get it to turn out, I'll post some pics... thanks for posting!!!!

fretted says: Sep 11, 2012. 8:59 PM

One thing this would be great for is a rope thrower like a monkey fist youcan use it to put longer ropes up into trees or over limbs to hang those backpacks full of food up to keep the pesky bears away or at least watch them dance trying to reach it !

jgrab81 says: May 8, 2012. 3:26 AM

Just made my first one, instructions were very clear and easy to follow! Thank You :) Just curious, how long did it take you to make your first one? Mine took a little over an hour (was watching tv too while doing it) :)

SyberProdigy (author) in reply to jgrab81May 10, 2012. 6:55 PM

Good Job, it looks great! The first one I tied probably took longer than that because I tried several different starting and finishing techniques. Tying paracord designs and watching tv is one of my favorite pastimes, lol.

spaap says: May 3, 2012. 8:31 AM

can you take it apart later and use in survival situation????

SyberProdigy (author) in reply to spaapMay 7, 2012. 1:02 PM

You could, but when I tie "survival' paracord designs, I usually like to be able to deploy it quickly with a single long strand. This wouldn't unravel quickly and it would have multiple short strands.

R9K says: Mar 18, 2012. 7:50 PM

Nice instructable, only trouble i had was with the last step. Tucking it up part to be precise, still not sure if i did it correct but it seems to be holding together so cheers!

SyberProdigy (author) in reply to R9KMar 22, 2012. 5:06 AM

Thanks, that last step was a little tricky to photograph correctly. The knot that is used in the step is called a Doubled Footrope Knot. I learned the tying technique from "The Complete Book of Decorative Knots". Google Books provides a preview of the book which shows the instructions a little better, here's the link.

Santawon says: Mar 17, 2012. 7:34 AM

This was the best way I have ever seen it explained and now I finally got it. Thanks for the instructions. I am going to make one out off thicker paracord to use as decoration.

dur.sk8 says: Feb 22, 2012. 4:45 AM

This is so wonderful
I am definitely going to make it

dman07 says: Feb 17, 2012. 3:00 PM

Awesome work, Thank you

glenngarf says: Feb 15, 2012. 8:39 AM

I'm definitely going to try this with my daughter, but for future Instructables, you may want to use different colored paracords. It's a little hard to see which side the cord is threaded on the black-on-black-on-black cords. TFTI!

SyberProdigy (author) in reply to glenngarfFeb 15, 2012. 11:27 AM

That was a mistake on my part, I usually try to use contrasting colors. I chose to use black because I had the lengths needed for this design beforehand. I appreciate the feedback and I hope you and your daughter enjoy tying this design.

SyberProdigy (author) says: Feb 13, 2012. 10:10 PM

Thanks for the feedback, this is not an easy tutorial to make clear directions, but I was careful to show every point in hopes that it will be easy for everyone to tie.