Introduction: Homemade Paracord
Here is a fun craft project that will give you a basic understanding of how paracord is made. Here we are going to make an eight strand casing with a three strand core. Real military grade paracord has a 32 strand casing & a seven strand core. But the process is the same for both.
For this Project we are going to make a kumihimo wheel & eight bobbins out of cardboard this is going to be the jig to braid the outer casing.
For your fist time get two different colors of thread this will help you from getting to confused as you braid.
For this braid we will use green & purple.
Step 1: Making the Kimihimo Wheel & Bobbins
To braid up the casing for your paracord you will need to make a kimihimo wheel & eight bobbins out of some thick cardboard.
Step 1. draw out two circles one within the other one. The outer around 6-7 inch. & the inner 1-2 inch. then 16 marks on the outer circle in equal distances from one an other.
Step 2. cut out the two circles & make 1/2 inch cuts on the 16 marks.
step 3. Then draw & cut out the bobbins out with 1/2 inch. cuts on each end.
Step 2: Loading the Kimihimo Wheel With Thread.
You will need four threads in one color & four in another color each around 3ft . This is for the outer casing in this example we are using four green & four purple. Then three in some other color for the core threads here we are using white thread.
Step 1. to load the eight threads of purple & green thread on the bobbins by first wedging one end of a thread in one of the notches on the bobbin. Then wrap the thread around the bobbin then wedge the other end in the other notch.
Step 2. take the eight treads of green & purple that you just put on the bobbins, plus the three white threads that will be used as the core & tie them together.
Step 3. put the knot in the center of the kimihimo wheel & wedge the eight threads of green & purple in the slots cut around the wheel alternating colors. then just leave the white thread free.
Step 3: Braiding the Paracord
The braid is simple to do. Just take your time & enjoy.
Step 1. all the green threads jump over the purple threads moving counter clock wise.
Step 2. all the purple threads jump over the green threads moving clock wise.
step 3. repeat steps 1 & 2 as needed. The white threads do nothing.
Step 4: Example
This is a fun craft project to as you watch T.V. As far as kimihimo braiding goes this is just the tip of the ice berg. Hope you give it a try, it is always fun to have a tactile experience on what goes into something.
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48 Comments
6 years ago
I LOVE kumihimo-braiding, I just discovered it last year and have big plans for future with that (jewellery making etc). I didn't even realize that paracord has the same idea, heh I should've :D! This will be interesting, making my own paracord for future use!!! Thank you for sharing!
8 years ago on Introduction
someone should make paracord out of paracord
Reply 7 years ago
whenever something needs s tee ing or yarn, I use paracord. th sea t stuff is so awesome, because you can make almost anything out of it, so I'm gonna give it a try with a LOT of paracord, and make 32-strand casing. its gonna be really thick!!
Reply 7 years ago
You should do an instructable on that and share with us how it works out.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
lol!
Reply 8 years ago
that sounds interesting... I might give it a try if I have some free time;)
7 years ago on Introduction
How much of the coloured wire do you need to create a given lenght of wire? I'm thinking about using this technique to cover wires. But I'll need to have an idea of what length to use.
8 years ago
I use this to wrap my ear buds cord and it is working so far I haven't finished yet though
9 years ago on Introduction
or u could use nylon like real paracord
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
thats not what they mean they mean how to improve this with the same amount shown above with different types of thread if they made military grade paracord with kevlar string that would be way stronger
10 years ago on Introduction
this seems like a fun thing to do with headphone cables, to get a vintage look (replacing the center thread with the cable.
thanks for all the hints and tips, by the way.
i've been wondering how to do this for a while.
11 years ago on Introduction
Awsome!!!
11 years ago on Introduction
make a video
11 years ago on Introduction
For anyone interested...you can go to your local Hobby Lobby store and in the craft dept. you can purchase a "kumihimo" disk VERY cheap. They are made of a light weight foam and maybe slightly smaller than the one here. It has 32 slots as mentioned above. But they are made by Toner Crafts, and are sold in a package containing four (4) disks and the findings to make key rings and lanyards...kit also contains plastic lacing. ALL sold for just under $6! YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT THAT!!! ;-)
12 years ago on Introduction
Very interesting instructable!
I just see it, do not understand how I missed it when was published.
12 years ago on Introduction
And how would you finish the cord, so it's one length, and not frayed-looking at the ends?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
how you finish the cord is dependent on what you use to braid it. I just use a drop or two of supper glue before I cut if its cotton or hemp.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Ooh! Good tip.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i think that you could like burn the end of the cord and it wont be frayed
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
First off: fabulous 'ible! Well done, sir!
Fireruler, burning the cord to seal it won't work on natural fibres-- only synthetics will melt under heat, thus sealing the end.