Paracord Double Monkey Fist Bookmark

     This snazzy bookmark will have all your friends saying 'cool'!  I like playing with knots and stuff, so when I saw a picture of this somewhere on the internet, I decided it would be a cool project to do, and also to write up and submit to the Paracord contest (vote me up!).   It was a bit of a challenge, but it isn't too difficult, and has a definite cool factor.

     Aight, let's get started.

Step 1 Ingredients

 1. Paracord....duh > ~60 inches will do, figure ~23 inches for one actual monkey fist, (x2 for the bookmark) and add some length in the middle for your book.  I did a quick informal measure test on a good sized book, and left some extra on each end, so it's fairly up to you how long this actually is.
2. Marbles (2) > Really any type of round object of a similar size would work, rocks, balled up paper, etc.
3. Lighter, or Matches, or other Flame Source (don't hurt yourself...)
4. Sharp object for cutting the cord to length (again...don't hurt yourself...) I used a folding utility knife that takes razor blades that I got from (insert local name) hardware store.

Don't hurt yourself in the making of this, I am no way responsible for your mistakes.  Also, the cost of materials and tools is very minimal in the case of this instructable, so I won't go wasting our time by listing it out.

Comments

[JRAUT13]

Awesome instructions! I found it easier to just use the untied end as the working end on the second knot. That way you don't have to pass the first one all the way through. Great idea! Thanks.

[hgerba]

Just made mine, it turned out just as I hoped!
I used a very similar amount of 550 so that second knot really was tough....
Worth it though! It's the perfect length for average sized paperbacks.

[yaly]

where do i get para-cord other than the internet?

[repeet13]

Best place that I know has paracord would be an Army-Navy Surplus, but a lot of those types of stores do. Places like REI carry rope of a similar size, but its not paracord

[nightninja87]

thought this video might help the people like me who need some help and need to see it done in a video or in person format very nice ible thanks again :)

[repeet13]

cool, i tried to be descriptive, but as always, a video is worth a bazillion words when trying to explain something to somebody

[OrtBoy]

Sweet! Thanks for the video, it really helped!

[GrassHopperJonez]

I like the idea, but I just did a 3 cord on one end and 2 cord on the other.(it was a bit confusing doing 2, but I managed) I didn't end up with a "cord orgy" but almost did. Plus, I didn't quite get the length right the first time and it was easier to get the 2 loops undone, cut a little off, and try again. Thanks for the Instructable!

[repeet13]

Awesome! thanks for posting a pic!

[42lwood]

This is pretty Bad A**!

[scistone]

I love monkey fists

[JimRD]

Check out the Monkey Fist used in the movie "Inception".

[Schpool]

When done on a larger scale this is also known as a practice meteor hammer.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_hammer

[Stormdrane]

Nice instructable, thanks for sharing!

When I first made some of these bookmarks a few years ago, I found that 10.5 inches of cord between the monkey's fists would fit the average hardback fiction books from the library.  As you mentioned, a longer length can be shortened to fit smaller books(paperbacks), and I made longer versions with about 12.5 inches between the fists to fit taller books, like my copy of 'Ashley's Book of Knots''.  ;)

[repeet13]

Thanks! I think it might have actually been your blog I was inspired by, so Thanks for the idea too!