Introduction: How to Make a Paracord Wrist Lanyard Using the Cobra Weave
This tutorial will show you how to make a wrist lanyard using paracord and the cobra weave. This can be used to secure a key chain, knife, mutitool, camera, or cell phone, etc. I give all credit to Stormdrane for the cobra weave. He was the first person to make an instructables using the cobra.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
You will need about 5 feet of paracord. I buy my 7-strand paracord on eBay and sometimes from the Supply Captain. I like keeping the iner strands in my paracord, but you can take them out if you so desire. Scissors, tape measure, lighter, and a key chain hook.
Step 2: Find the Center of the Length of Cord
Take the center of the length of cord and put it through whatever attachment you used. I used a swivel clip, mostly because I had it on hand and all my other key ring were already being used. For this instructable, I will be measuring the wrist loop at about 7 inches from the attachment.
Step 3: Making the Knots
The knot used for making the wrist lanyard has a few different names such as the cobra stitch, Solomon bar, or Portuguese sinnet. Take the right side cord and bring it under the two center cords. Now take the left side cord under the right side cord, over the center strands, and through the loop of the left side cord. You have now completed your first half knot. .Take the cord on the left and bring it under the two center cords. Now take the right side chord under the left side cord, over the center strands, and through the loop of the left side cord. Pull the cords tight until they are up against the swivel clip. Pull the cords tight (not too tight, just until they meet the resistance of the knot.) You have now completed a knot. You will continue to do the alternating left and right sides as you go on. If you don't alternate you will soon notice a twisting of knots, just undo the last knot and tie it right.
Step 4: Continue Knotting Until You Reach About 8 Full Knots
Continue knotting until you reach about 8 full knots. The knots should be uniform from one end to the other. Tie each knot with the same tension to keep the them all the same size.
Step 5: Trim the Excess Cord and Melt the Ends
Use scissors to trim the excess cord and quickly melt the ends with a lighter to prevent fraying. If you are using a very bright color like neon lemon paracord, I would suggest melting the ends using the blue part of the flame. What this does is it makes it so that, the ends that you melted do not turn a dark red color. Using the red part of the flame on a dark color is okay because the colors blend together.
Step 6: You're Done!!!
You have now successfully finished your paracord wrist lanyard using the cobra weave.Please comment, rate, and subscribe if you liked this instructable and if you want more.
Please post a picture of a paracord wrist lanyard that you have made.
Please vote for me. It is very much appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Participated in the
Pocket-Sized Contest

Participated in the
Hurricane Lasers Contest
24 Comments
5 years ago
I tried making this, but it curved into a helix. I think I'm doing something wrong.
Reply 2 years ago
I know this is old, but for anyone who may have a similar issue in the future:
Knots too tight and / or keep them even and the cord untwisted as you go.
5 years ago
Great instructional!
Reply 4 years ago
Eterin knot
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
How to make eternity knott
7 years ago
Thank you for the awesome guide! Found you guys right after reading this website and making my final decision on the constitution of my lanyard
http://www.lanyardcenter.com/paracord-lanyard/
Need to get started on my lanyard for next weeks hiking trip!
7 years ago
I surprised myself at the halfway point by doing this right and then I had to concentrate really hard to keep the pattern going. I'm looking forward to making some more.
7 years ago on Step 6
Great Thank You! I'd unwound my paracord lanyard and used it on a camping trip. Now it's re-made and on my hunting knife, thanks to your instructions
7 years ago on Step 6
7 years ago
Thanks for this very easy to understand paracord weaving. I was able to make it
9 years ago
Fantastic guide nice and concise. looks fab on my keys and made a wicked present to add to a gift box for my bro
10 years ago on Introduction
I'm new to paracord projects. Your choice of a bright colored cord made it easy to see the process. Thanks for a straightforward instructable.
10 years ago
first knot can be a bit tricky but easy enough! i wanna do full-length neck lanyards next
10 years ago on Step 6
Very easy to follow instructions. Looks great on my compass!
10 years ago on Introduction
Nicely done. Yellow is a better color for demo, thanks. I think this is nice, with the modification above, for the much-needed pulls on pelican clips and snap shackles on my sailboat.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the nice comment. The reason I picked yellow is because it's my favorite color and because it was the only color paracord I had lying around at the time.
10 years ago on Introduction
I took your design and changed it a little.
Use a carabiner in place of the clip, after doing the cobra braid, remove the carabiner and pull on the middle pieces, it will end up looking like the picture below.
The lanyard on the left is 5ft of cord (6in long), the one on the right is 6ft and somewhere between 8-9" long.
I plan to use these on keychains. They could also be used to hang on bags or use as zipper pulls
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
That looks very nice. I don't think I could make one that looks that good. I've kinda gotten out of the practice.
~BLUEBLOBS2
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Left is the bottom, sorry. I forgot to rotate the picture.
10 years ago on Introduction
just made one! so quick and easy yet looks cool and very useful, I used one of them round keychains and the scraps of paracord from another project. Overall a great instructable with sensible pictures