How to Make A Paracord Bracelet with One or Two Colors and Beads

Paracord bracelets are popular craft for both girls and boys.  They are a fun accessory to wear and to make.  Learn how to make these paracord bracelets with one or two colors.  Beads can also be added for extra personalization.

These make wonderful friendship bracelets for gifts and exchange with your friends.

This video and photo tutorial will show how to make a one or two color paracord bracelets with or without beads.  This paracord bracelet design is made with a square knot and pony beads.

This bracelet features a nice "V" design.  When using two colors, the bracelet has one color along the sides and the second color is the "V". 

To learn many other knotting techniques and knots, click the link to visit our Knot Tying page with lots of tutorials.

To see the two-color paracord bracelet, watch the video below.  The instructions and photos in this post show a single color bracelet but the process is the same for a two-color paracord bracelet.

Paracord Bracelet INSTRUCTIONS

These paracord bracelets can be made in many different styles.  Some ideas are:

• Single color paracord bracelet
• Two-color paracord bracelet
• Single-color paracord bracelet with beads
• Two-color paracord bracelet with beads

STEP 1: CUT the paracord

Measure the size of your wrist to find out how big to make the bracelet.  My wrist measures 7" around.

Each bracelet will need 8 feet to 10 feet of paracord.  For my 7" bracelet, I used 8 feet of paracord.  If you need a bigger bracelet than 7", I would recommend using 9 or 10 feet of paracord. 

Once you determine how much paracord to use, decide to make a single-color or two-color bracelet. 

For a single-color bracelet, measure out and cut the full length of paracord from the one color.  

For a two-color bracelet, measure out and cut half the length of paracord in each color.  So, if you are making a two-color bracelet with 8 feet of paracord, measure and cut 4 feet of paracord in each of the two colors.

STEP 2: ATTACH the two colors together (Two-color bracelet only)

For the two-color paracord bracelet, the two pieces of paracord will need to be attached together at the ends.  To attach them together, hold two ends of paracord together and carefully use a lighter to melt the paracord ends together.

You can see this demonstrated in the video available at the top of this post. We recommend having a helper to hold the paracord together while the second person uses the lighter.  Kids, please get the help of an adult for this step!

The paracord should look similar to the photo above when it's attached together.

STEP 3: Thread the paracord through the first bracelet Clip

Fold the paracord in half bringing the two ends together.  Detach the bracelet clips and take one of the bracelet clips and hold it with the top facing you. Take the two ends of the paracord and put them through the clip as shown below.

Take the two ends and pull them through the loop.  Pull this up so the loop is against the bracelet clip as shown below.

The loop should be on the back of the clip.  If it's not, take it out and try again.

STEP 4: Thread the paracord through the second bracelet Clip

Next, pick up the other half of the bracelet clip and hold it with the top of the clip facing you.  Again, take the two ends and thread them through the bracelet clip as shown below.

Tape the second bracelet clip to your work surface.   We used duct tape to hold it in place while working.

STEP 5: measure the size of the bracelet

Take a ruler and measure the length between the two clips.  Adjust the length by pulling on the clip or the two long ends of paracord until the length is the desired size of the bracelet.

The bracelet should be made a little bigger than your wrist.  For a 7" wrist, a 7 1/2" - 8" would be a good size.  7 1/2" will give a little room around the bracelet.  8" would be a more loosely fitting bracelet.  I made my bracelet 7 1/2" and that seemed to be a nice size.

STEP 6: STart Knotting the bracelet

To make the knots, take the paracord on the left side and lay it across the bracelet in an L shape.  Take the right side cord and make sure it's crossing on TOP of the left cord as shown in the photo below.

Next, take the right side cord, pass it UNDER the bracelet and then through the loop on the left side so it comes out the top.  See the photo below.

Finally, pull both long ends to tighten the knot.  You will have a knot on the right side of the bracelet and a loop going over the top as shown in the photo below.

Continue with the next knot in the same manner but starting with the cord on the right.  Lay the cord in a backward L across the bracelet.  The left cord should be across the top of the right cord as shown above.

Take the left cord, pass it under the bracelet and then up through the loop on the right side as shown in the photos above and below.  Pull the knot tight.

This is the knotting process.  If you do not want beads on your bracelet, continue knotting as described in this step alternating starting with the left and right side.  

If you want to add beads, this is where the beads are added.

STEP 7: Adding Beads

For our bracelet, we added the first bead on the third knot.  If you forget how many knots you've made, count the cords across the bracelet.  Each is one knot.

To add the bead, start the knot as described above but stop before you pull the knot tight.  Place the bead onto the cord that you crossed over to start the knot.

At this time, slide the bead onto the cord that started the knot and slide it until it's above the bracelet as shown below. 

Pull the knot tight, centering the bead over the bracelet.  See the photo below for a sample.

Continue making four more knots.  Remember to alternate the starting cord for each knot.  Your bracelet should look like the photo below.  Note that you should see two V's after the bead.  There will also be one V before the bead.

If your bracelet does not look like the above photo, there is probably a mistake in how the knot was formed so review step 6.  The other mistake could be that you did not start with the opposite cord for each knot.  Remove any knots that do not look correct and try again if necessary.

If you are making a bracelet with two-colors, it is correct if the one color is in the center Vs and the other color is in the loops along the edge.  See the finished photos below for a sample or watch the video.

To determine which side of the cord (left or right) to start with for your next knot, look at the previous knot.  The cord that is coming out below the loop, is the starting cord for your next loop.  Looking at the photo above, the right side cord would start the next knot.

Once you see the two Vs, add another bead to the next knot.  Always add it to the cord crossed over first as shown below.

STEP 8: Continue knotting and adding beads

Continue knotting in the same way until the knots fill the whole bracelet and come up to the other bracelet clip.  Remember to add your beads after every four knots.  You will see four cords across between each bead, or two Vs.

Below, I added a bead right at the end of the bracelet in the last knot.

 

STEP 9: Finishing the bracelet

Cut the cord close to the bracelet on each side.  See below for a closeup photo of the cut cord.

So, the cord does not slip out and come undone, carefully use the lighter to slightly melt the end of the cord.  This will seal the cord and also be sure to melt the cord end to the cord next to it.  This will hold it in place securely.  Kids, please get your parents or an adult's supervision when using a lighter.

If you prefer not to use a lighter, you can use clear glue to seal the end of the cord and attach it to the cord next to it.  Be sure to leave the glue dry completely before using the paracord bracelet with beads.

Paracord bracelet is Complete!

The paracord bracelet with beads is now complete.  The bracelet can be clasped and opened using the bracelet clip.

These bracelets are fun and easy to make.  You'll get addicted to making them in many colors!  Make them in your friends' favorite colors and give them as gifts.

Looking for more paracord bracelet tutorials?  Another paracord bracelet tutorial is available on DIY & Crafts.   Paracord Galaxy also has several paracord bracelet tutorials. Click through to see their bracelets.

Look below to purchase supplies for this project.

Other Kids Craft Tutorials:

• Braided Ribbon Barrettes is another fun project to make.  These can be made in many colors and are quick and easy.
• Loom Weaving is an easy, fun, old tradition craft. Kids can learn how with this tutorial.
• Learn to make a Yarn Pom-Pom with our video tutorial.  
• Make a cute Minion Zipper Pull or Keychain with our free tutorial and pattern.
• How to make Yarn Coil Baskets