I’ve seen several similar designs to this, but they were either overly complicated or they left large gaps in the design.

I am not going to claim having an original design, I have not seen this one before but that does not mean it hasn't been done. I personally like this design, because I don't like to use the tablet in a case because it's bulky and the buttons are hard to access. I just need something to protect it while in my backpack or being carried. This gets the job done and is translatable to other sizes and variations after you get the basic design down and can be used for many things.

What made me think of this was this project by Paracord Guild. (In no way am I criticizing this website. I am, in fact, a huge fan of the tutorials on there, that particular one just didn't work for me. I suggest you check it out for yourself though. That's part of being an informed craftsman.)

The reason I didn't use the same style as that project is because I couldn't seem to get the knots to align correctly, and I think that the biggest advantage of my design is that it is super simple. Anyone can do it and it doesn't require anything other than para-cord. My instructions are left a little open ended so it can be personalized more for your style both in look and construction. I am hoping for some experimentation with this design as this was only my first real attempt, so far I only did a test bottle wrap (couple of pictures later) and this sleeve. If anyone else tries it or has any suggestions please comment below!

I hope you like my first Instructable.

(Above pictures: the second one, yes the tablet is inside, you just can't see it. The first picture I left it sticking out for a little perspective. It is a seven inch tablet)

Step 1: Gather Needed Supplies

For this project I used about 40 feet of my secondary cord, the black and what I estimate to be about 100 feet of my primary cord. However, don't quote me on that, because I was just pulling it off of a 1000 foot spool.

I apologize for not having a surface-area-to-paracord equation. I tried to make one but it wasn't quite right. This is the first time I've used this design.

I also had a crochet hook I borrowed from my Grandma that was handy sometimes (especially if you have larger hands) but definitely isn't need for this project.

Step 2: Make the Chain

I included some pictures here on how to do it, but admittedly they aren't the best. Here is link on how to make it if my pictures are not the best.

Start with enough that it will go all the way around whatever you wish to hold, then a little extra. Try to keep the links as similar in size as possible, it's up to you how tight to make them though. I kept mine somewhere in the middle tightness but it's purely preference. However, it will look better (in my opinion) if they are tight, but it will also make it more difficult to tie in the other cord.

Step 3: Tie the Links Together

After you have some of the Chain Sinnet made, wrap it around whatever you wish to enclose (in this case, an old nexus tablet) and choose one of the links on either end and tie your secondary (black) cord to it. After this, it is as simple as looping the cord through the links 1 to 1.

**It is important you keep the ratio 1-1, even if the 'chain links' look offset. If you skip a link the sleeve will either get wider or narrower and that will look funny and not get you the result you wanted. Overall the links average out, even if the size isn't exactly the same.

Step 4: Keep Going Until Desired Size Is Reached.

At this point, don't worry about tightening the black cord down. Wait until you get to about halfway. Once you get there, put whatever you intend to use this for (a tablet this time around) inside and tighten the black cord, starting from the bottom all the way up. If you have a crochet hook, this is when I used it. I used it just because it was easier than trying to get my sausage fingered, man hands to grab the small sections of cord. (I waited until I was this far, because if you tighten it before you can truly fit the object inside it may not be quite as form fit of a shape. This is not necessarily required but it is suggested)

You don't have to tighten the cord. If you wish, you can leave it loose and have an overall more loose design, again, purely a preference thing.

Step 5: Finish It Up.

When you reach the end, you can use either of the cords to tie a loop for a carabiner. Otherwise just tie them both off and not have a loop at all. You can also thread short string through the top links and make it into a drawstring bag if that so pleases you.

In that last picture, you can see, I didn't quite estimate the right amount of black cord needed so I had to add another 8 feet or so. However, on the finished product you really don't notice it at all.

You can see that it is easy to use the same design for a bottle wrap, as I indicated earlier this design was originated from. To do that, for the bottom, use a 2-1 ratio of links and you will get that circular design. Even if the links get off, you have to keep the 1 link to 1 link ratio if you want it to be correct for this project.

So I hope you enjoyed my first 'ible. I think this design is very nice for a sleeve like I did or something bigger. I was thinking of making another with looser chain links that would be like a shoe bag or something. But I really do think the design is great because it requires very little knowledge on tying para-cord projects, and when used with two plain colors, looks really nice. Unfortunately I had run out of red when I made this one, so that's why I used the patterned cord. In the end, it has just enough room for the tablet, a power cable, and my phone, so the size turned out just about perfect.

If you have any questions, please ask below and I'll answer as soon as I can.