Reclaim Lawnchair With Paracord
Intro: Reclaim Lawnchair With Paracord
If you have an old, but sturdy lawnchair, you can give it new life using paracord to create a new seat.
Unlike other instructables found on this website, this creation does not weave paracord like a loom or create a net for the seat, but rather uses the same techniques used in knitting or crocheting to knit the paracord into a strong and flexible seat.
The pattern used here utilizes double knots and single knots to create a repeatable pattern that is expandable for any size seat. It has the added benefit of creating an interesting pattern that is pleasing to the eyes.
STEP 1: Secure First Row to the Frame
Summary: Use double knots along the frame to start.
To start the first row of double knots perform the following:
- Wrap one end of the paracord around the corner of the frame and secure using whatever knot you want. Just make sure it does not become unraveled.
- Take the leading line (NOTE: The leading line is any piece of string that is untied or is not connected to previous knot) and make a twisted loop.
- Ensure the twisted loop has the trailing line (NOTE: The trailing line is piece of string connected to a previous knot) on the outside of the bar and the leading line is touching the bar.
- Pull the leading line down and around the back of the bar to form a loop.
- Wrap the untied line of the loop over the top of the bar and insert line into the loop to form another loop.
- Hold this new loop with your fingers.
- Insert the untied line underneath the trailing line so that you have two equal sized loops. Look bunny ears!
- Insert the leading loop into the other loop and tighten. (NOTE: if done properly, the leading line will be under the double knot and the knot will come undone if pulled.)
- Ensure to leave an equal sized loop for attaching to the next row. If necessary, insert a stick to keep loop at proper size.
- Repeat double knots until one side of frame is filled.
STEP 2: Create Second Row
Create a row of single knots by performing the following:
- Secure one end of the next colored paracord line to the frame using any knot that you want while making sure that it will not unravel.
- Twist the paracord line into a loop that points toward the first row of double knots.
- Insert the loop into the open loop of the double knot from the first row.
- Make sure that the twist has the trailing line on the inside and touching the edge of the loop of the double knot. (NOTE: If the twist is on the wrong side, the knot will tighten differently and loosen over time.)
- Insert the leading line over the top of the double knot loop and into the newly formed loop.
- Tighten loop to form a single knot.
- Repeat steps for next series of single knots.
STEP 3: Start Next Row
- Secure leading line to frame using a double knot.
- Secure leading line to single knot of row and double knot on the frame using a single knot tied to both loops.
- Repeat single knots for the next row.
STEP 4: Adding More Paracord
As needed, add more paracord by performing the following:
- Temporarily, tie old paracord to new paracord.
- Tie a single knot or double knot as part of the project.
- Loosen and re-tie the temporary knot joining the two paracords so that the temp knot is at the loop of the single knot or double knot.
- Trim line to look nice.
- Treat loop like normal loop and tie to it as needed.
STEP 5: Final Row
- Skip final single row and jump to the frame.
- Tie double knots on last frame side.
- Stitch rows together to the frame row. (NOTE: If stitch is too loose due to loose knots, remove one row and stitch again. If stitch is too far apart, create a row to fill the gap.)
- Finish the back. NOTE: The back is not load bearing and can have less number of rows.