This post details how to make a paracord survival keychain and wristlet at home with parachute cord, scissors, a carabiner clip, and a lighter.
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There are many paracord survival bracelets and keychains that you can buy, but making it at home is easy and is great gift.
Click the links below to view some of my other outdoor content!
Paracord Survival Uses
Paracord is a survival essential. This material has multiple uses that can save you in an emergency from starting a fire, to catching food in the wilderness. If you spend time outdoors, it is important to always carry survival essentials whether in the form of a paracord survival bracelet, keychain, lanyard, etc.
Carabiner Survival Uses
Carabiners and paracord go together perfectly in a survival situation. Carabiners are especially useful while hiking, camping, or backpacking. These can be used to repair tents and other gear in an emergency, or to hang hammocks among various other uses. Be sure to know the amount of weight your carabiner can hold. The original packaging provides this information.
What You’ll Need
- carabiner clip (or any type of key ring)
- parachute cord
- scissors
- lighter
Carabiner Clip – Any type of key ring will work for this project. I chose an s-biner shaped clip, but you can use a standard key ring, swivel keychain, or any other type of clasp. Click here to purchase s-biner shaped clips.
Parachute Cord – Parachute cord or “paracord” is sold at most craft and sporting goods stores. If you can’t find paracord in store, you can purchase it here.
Scissors – Any household scissors will work for this project. Scissors are required to cut the paracord to the desired length.
Lighter – If you don’t have a lighter, you can also use a match. Flame seals off the ends of the paracord after it is cut to length to prevent fraying.
Measurements
Below are the basic measurements for the paracord keychain and wristlet. Simply start with longer pieces of paracord for a longer chain.
Keychain
- 2 cords x 7ft (214 cm)
- 1 cord x 1.3ft (40.5 cm)
Wristlet
- 2 cords x 12ft (365 cm)
- 1 cord x 1.3 ft (40.5 cm)
Instructions
1. Cut Paracord
Cut your paracord to length. Keep in mind that different materials and sizes of cord will create a different end result. The amount of tension you apply affects the shape of each knot, thus altering the length of your paracord survival keychain. Add a few extra feet of cord to avoid running out.
1a. Secure Ends
Secure the cut ends of the paracord by holding a flame to the material for a few seconds. This will melt the material to prevent fraying.
2. Lark’s Head Knot
Start by creating a lark’s head knot. Hold your two longest cords together and fold them in half, creating a loop where they are folded. Slip the loop around the object you want to tie the cord to, slip the ends through the loop, and pull. Click here to view a lark’s head knot tutorial.
3. Square Knot
After you have tied the lark’s head knot, create a space between this knot and the first square knot. I used a piece of tape to secure the keychain and create space. You’ll have four cords from folding your original 2 cords. Cross the left-most cord over the two middle cords, then underneath the right-most cord.
4. Square Knot (continued)
Cross the left-most cord underneath the other 3, and pull through the loop you created on the other side. This is half of your square knot. Do the exact same steps on the opposite side to create a full square knot. Continue this pattern until you have reached your desired length, leaving at least 4 inches of untied cord at the end. Click here to view a square knot tutorial.
5. Gathering Knot
After you have reached your desired length, fold the chain in half to match up the ends. Pull the extra untied cord through the keychain and fold. Taking your small cord that you cut earlier, create a downward facing loop with a tail. Place this over the untied ends and wrap the excess around the keychain tightly. Feed the tail through the loop and pull the top tail to secure the gathering knot. Click here for a gathering knot video tutorial.
If you try this yourself, take a photo and tag @solepeaks on social media!
