Paracord wrist lanyard made with the snake knot

This instructable will show how to make a wrist lanyard using paracord and the snake knot. The lanyard can be used to secure a key chain, knife, multi-tool, flashlight, cell phone, camera, binoculars, compass, etc. More projects, links, knot references can be seen on my blog page, Stormdrane's Blog.

Step 1: Supplies

You'll need about 4.5 feet of paracord(you may use other types of cordage if desired). The paracord I used is from the Supply Captain. I left the inner strands in the paracord, but you can remove them if preferred. If done in one color, it will be one continuous 4.5 ft length, if done in two colors, you'll need 3 ft for the primary color that includes the wrist section, and 1.5 ft for the second color that will show in the snake knot. Also used are scissors, tape measure or ruler, lighter, hemostats or needle nose pliers(not necessary, but they make it much easier), and a swivel clip, key ring, snap hook, cell phone lariat, carabiner, or whatever attachment you prefer to use.

Comments

[killeryeti4217]

I added a diamond knot to where i wanted the snake knot to end.

[Gunner7800]

Is there any way to use this knot to make a continuous loop?

[Stormdrane]

I've not tied the snake knot that way, but if you tied it around a separate loop of cord or start with making a loop first,  maybe like these slip-on type paracord bracelets, you could have the end finish right up against the start, where it may not be very noticeable and give the look of a continuous loop...

[mbreukel]

really nice knot! just made mine, with woodland and black.

i was wondering, of you take enough cord, could you wrap things with it? like a lighter?

[Stormdrane]

Yes, you can make the knot around other objects as the core of the knot, like a lighter, walking staff, flashlight, knife handle, etc...

[tomtom88]

Excellent Instructable! I've made countless cobra stitch bracelets since I first read your Instructable and finally tried this one out. Very clear instructions makes it really easy to follow! Great job! Now if only you could make an Instructable for a monkey's fist!

[Stormdrane]

I did make a video for making a monkey's fist using rope. The thing that I think most folks have trouble with when tying them, is that you need to gradually tighten up the fist by just working a little of the slack out from one end to the other over several passes before it's eventually as tight as you can get it.

[tomtom88]

yup, you sure did haha. nice vid. the first directions i saw for making a monkey's fist were pretty clear and precise. it definitely looks easy. i guess the tightening part would be the most difficult part as you say.

[reeseecup]

it is very hard

[SIRJAMES09]

TY Sir for sharing. :)

Excellent Ible.

[tphan4]

Stormdrane, how much paracord would i need to make this a 72" dog leash?

[Stormdrane]

If you're going to make a dog leash just like the wrist lanyard is tied, I'd figure on starting with around a 75 foot length of paracord to be on the safe side and not come up short, but how much you actually use may vary by how tight or loose you make the knots as you go...

[tphan4]

How long for primary color and then the secondary color

[Stormdrane]

This is just a guesstimate since I haven't made a dog leash length version of the snake knot lanyard, but around 45 ft for primary color 30 ft for secondary. Once attached, figure at least 12 ft or so of primary will be doubled up for the core/wrist loop, and then the attached section of paracord will be looped around your swivel clip/snap hook where you can begin knotting, as in the instructions...

With using two colors instead of one, make sure you do a secure job of joining the paracord, whether you sew, melt, or super glue them together, since a dog leash will be under greater strain than a wrist lanyard would, and you don't want it to be pulled apart with a dog on the leash. ;)

[nkillingsworth vi]

stormdrane, I love all the things you've done with paracord. Can you figure out how to make this type of lanyard? I've looked and cannot for the life of me figure out how to make this. I don't know whether to begin with the knot on the end or the snake knot. Any ideas are helpful! Thanks!

[Stormdrane]

I would guess the Chinese cloverleaf knot is tied first, a loop made with one strand coming from the knot, then both used to snake knot back towards the cloverleaf knot around the two strands.

[montys survival straps]

this is a great design im going to sell this on my website!

[kalmahot]

 muy bueno, practico, ahora se como utilizar mis cordones viejos, bueno, mejor compro nuevos y coloridos =).....

[triumphman]

when in Rome speak Roman, que pasa ?

[triumphman]

No habla espanol ! English por favor !

[hcohen]

is it possible to make it without the clip and out of the same color
i no its kinda stupid just wondering..

[Stormdrane]

Yes, you can use one color with a single length of cord and tie the lanyard without the clip. You would need to tie it directly to something or use an attachment other than the clip, because if you hold the snake knot section and pulled on the wrist loop, there'd be nothing to keep the loop ends where the clip is from pulling down into the snake knot section.

[rgonzalez13]

This is my first band! I followed the steps (mostly the pictures to be honest). See the results!. Thanks for sharing all of your instructions.
Watch: Nabucco Chronograph by Raymond Weil (Stainless Steel Version)

[Ianoath]

I really like the looks of this lanyard, but I notice you refer to it as a wrist lanyard and you give the length of paracord to use for this, if i were to make a lanyard following this same design to wear around my neck, how much cord should I use?

[Stormdrane]

For a neck lanyard, just add about 2 feet more to the amount used in the tutorial. So if done in one color, you 'd use about 6.5 feet of paracord, or if done in two colors, you'd use 5 feet for the primary color and 1.5 feet for the secondary color.

If you want it to be a safety/break-away lanyard, you can add one of the connectors linked to in the tutorial. You'd make the lanyard first, then cut the cord at the center of the neck loop and add the connector there.

[jielder]

Thanks for the Instructable, just made two of them to use as snowboard leashes...

[DonB!]

I saw a keychain on the internet, simply used as a photo, and loved it, but wondered where that particular knot pattern could be found.

I should have obviously turned to you, stormdrane, and all of your great tutorials. You really have a creative knack for color, weave patterns, etc.

Thanks for sharing it all with us.

[the gizmoman]

You and tying it all together (YouTube) have some amazing knots and tutorials keep up the good work (are you on YouTube under stormdrane?)

[Stormdrane]

Yep, that'd be me. :)

[the gizmoman]

I love trying to tie different and unique knots. I got intrested in tying knots through the boyscouts (I'm an eaglescout by the way) I saw your blog and you got some amazing pieces of art ( rope art that is. )

[DrSteve]

Where does one purchase the hardware for these types of projects (swivel clip, key ring, snap hook, cell phone lariat, carabiner)? Thanks.

[Vijster1]

rings, clips, and hooks can be found at a hobby store

[jaberwok32]

WALMART!

[DrSteve]

Really....comon....where? I need like 200

[devangelista]

You can get like 300 feet of it at the us calve store for 20 bucks. http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?productID=5444&TabID=548

[DrSteve]

Thanks. This is great. I am about to start making about 200 monkey fist keychains and Boy Scout woggle neckerchief slides (Turks Head knot). I was having problems finding ball bearings and the hardware! YOU ROCK! How about a place for beads and ball bearings!?

[Stormdrane]

For beads, check local craft stores. Since beads need a hole large enough for cord to fit through, seeing them in person lets you see if they'll work with the cord you have. Buying online is guess work if they don't list the inner diameter of the bead's hole, where 4mm is about the smallest you'll get a loop of gutted paracord pulled through.

[Stormdrane]

For ball bearings, I've used this ebay seller(ToolSupply). They also carry wooden balls.

You can check your local machine shops and auto repair shops for ball bearings too. Just look them up and give them a call to see if they have any.

[Stormdrane]

There are multiple sources for them, here are a few: cdwplus.com enchantedbeads.com lighthound.com tadgear.com countycomm.com supplycaptain.com photonlight.com ebay.com You may find some at your local hardware store, walmart, home depot, lowes, michaels craft store, and hobby lobby...

[moosesyfer104]

im a ninja.......................... with paracord