Homemade Christmas gifts – paracord bracelets
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It always seems to be harder to think of gifts to make and give to men, but here's one that is just perfect. Fab and funky and once you've got the knack, these are so easy to make. Kids that love loom banding will pick this technique up in no time.
You will need:
- Paracord (we bought ours from eBay - you can find it in outdoor sports shops too)
- Side release clasps - again we found ours on eBay
- Scissors
How to make your paracord bracelets
1
Measure out about ten feet of paracord. Find the ends and hold them together, then feed the loop through one end of your side release clasp as shown.
2
Pull the ends of the cord through the loop to make a knot and pull it really tight.
3
Now feed the other ends through the other side release clasp.
4
Pull the clasp down to the size you want your bracelet to be. Measure it round your wrist to make sure you have the right size.
5
Starting at this end, organise your cord so you have the middle strand (of two cords in a line) and then the remaining cords - one at the left and one at the right. Check the image to see if you have got it looking right.
6
Take the left hand cord. Make a loop and pass it over the top of your your middle strand.
7
Take the right hand cord, bring it over the cord you have just crossed.
8
Take the end and bring it through the loop from the back. Now pull both ends tightly. You have made your first 'weave'.
9
Hold the clip and pull both ends of the cord really tight. Then repeat steps 6-8 this time starting at the right hand side.
10
Carry on the weave right until the very end, pull the last weave really tight and snip off the ends. You now have a completed bracelet. It is easier to watch a video to get to grips with this weave. It looks and sounds more complicted than it is, written down. Here is a really good video which shows you these steps and which is easy to follow.
We have loads more gorgeous ideas for homemade Christmas gifts here
