Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Center stitched paracord bracelet/watchband


After watching a leather wrapped and braided bracelet video on YouTube, I tried doing a similar pattern with a black paracord bracelet and using red 1.4mm cord and a small Perma Lok lacing needle to do the center stitching from one end to the other.

I used about 10 feet of paracord for the bracelet and around 5 feet of 1.4mm cord for the stitching, with all the ends tucked along the inside.

The stitched pattern could be done with various different bracelet patterns that have horizontal cords down the middle section.  I used a woven pattern with a 4 strand core on a 5/8" side release buckle.

If doing a watchband version, like the example shown with gutted red paracord for the stitching, or if there were a medic alert tag/compass/skull in the middle of the bracelet or pet collar version, you can have the stitched pattern coming/going from opposite directions on each side of the item, instead of the same continuous stitching...

A couple of other variations pictured are with the stitching doubled, and a cobra stitch/Solomon bar/Portuguese sinnet version with navy blue paracord and 1mm orange cotton braiding cord stitched down the center.  The 1mm cotton cord came from Walmart.

Similar stitching/lacing that is done with leather should also work with flat nylon webbing, like a dog/cat pet collar or backpack straps, and adding paracord or smaller diameter cordage in, just make holes first with punch tool or hot pin/needle...


Video tutorial added:

49 comments:

smet337 said...

Morning Stormdrane,When I had first seen this bracelet I had my wife come to see and we both agree this is truly a piece of art!!Love the colors you used and as always you have showed you are a master craftsmen.For me it is like unwrapping a present at Christmas when I see a new post.Thank you for all you do to keep me and others encouraged.Have a great day Scot

smet337 said...

Hey Stormdrane,sorry for not asking on my first post but I understand that you used four strands to tie into the clips but how did you do the outer wrap?I watched the video and they just went around in a circle,but I think that you split the center two cords and went around the outside then back threw the center and around the other side?Thanks again Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, I just tied the paracord bracelet/watchband first, like the photo collage example I show in this post, then did the stitching with another strand.

I didn't coil the cord around the core strands like the leather was done in the video, but you could try it that way if you wanted. The stitching is still done similar to what's shown in that video. ;)

Unknown said...

Please consider making instructional video's of your projects.

Stormdrane said...

@kevin, I do occasionally make videos for some projects, and one was added to this blog post. ;)

graverobber said...

Did you use a Perma Lok needle while using the gutted paracord? If not, did you use a hemastat?

Stormdrane said...

@graverobber, I used my Super Jumbo Perma Lok needle with the gutted paracord and it worked well. You just have to take care to keep the gutted cord from twisting when you work with it... ;)

Anonymous said...

Stormdrane:

I love your ingenuity! You keep surprising us with your work on knots. Nice, clean cut, and beautifull work. Just outstanding!
:-)

Peace,
Manny.

Ridethroughlife said...

Where does the small cordage come from? Are there any stores out there that sell it? I had a hard time finding it. I even checked hobby lobby.

Best Smartphone said...

Nice looking watch for sure.

smet337 said...

As you know I'am a frequent flyer,I had just done one and was wondering what I was doing wrong!Just noticed the video.Thanks for the video Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Ridethroughlife, I bought the 1.4mm cord on ebay. It can also be found with mini blind supply sources. R&W Rope Warehouse carries similar, called 'Handy Hundred Cord', some sources found in my links list.

Unknown said...

Great piece Stormdrane, as always!
The blinds cord can get very pricey. Instead, I bought 2000ft 2.0mm spool on ebay for $15.

Anonymous said...

is the black cord gutted? as always great work Stormdrane!

Stormdrane said...

@Anonymous, The black cord used for tying the paracord bracelet and watchband is not gutted.

I gutted the red paracord that was used as stitching on the watchband.

smet337 said...

Morning Stormdrane,You continually show your great imagination and versatility.I want to know where I can order those?On the woven with the doubled 1.4mm did you do two at a time? I made one with the single and my daughter took,it everybody here really loved your design.I love the cobra stitch also beautiful.Thanks and have a great Saturday Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, The doubled one is a single strand, where you start making a left then the right stitch, then go back up under the cord to double the left and then the right. And then repeat for each following stitch... ;)

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, The orange 1mm cotton braiding cord, used with the blue paracord bracelet, came from walmart.

Liontamer said...

Thanks for posting using the leather string. I been holding on to several spools of leather string wondering what to do with it. Now I can get busy and use them!

Thanks Stormdrane

Anonymous said...

You are the real McGuyver, dude. And I salute for that! Crafty designs and odd patterns. Absolutely brilliant!
Ed of FrankFerrisCo.com

metequila said...

what are the weaves of that bracelet

Stormdrane said...

@metequila, If you click on the 'woven pattern' link in the blog post, it'll take you to a previous blog post showing how to tie that paracord bracelet.

As with many patterns, you can find different names for the same existing knots/braids/weaves, and some folks make up new names for them to differentiate themselves from others tying the same thing... ;)

Anonymous said...

Make sure that you start the small cord at the correct end of the bracelet. I started at the wrong end and it just didnt look right. If you made my mistake you'll know what I mean. I thought I was doing it wrong just needed to start at the other end! Thanks Stormdrane!

Unknown said...

Stormdrane,Great video what is the name of the black band and have you made a video on how to make it.

Stormdrane said...

@Martin, I just call it a 'woven pattern', as I based it on figure 8 type weaving, like a racking bend or racking seizing I'd seen in the 'Ashley Book of Knots', but done with two strands instead of one, and I've only added the photo collage of that process as seen in that blog post, so no video.

A blog reader had once asked me if I knew how to tie a bracelet they'd seen that was tied with thin cotton line in the same woven method, which led me to tying the single strand version of a paracord bracelet, then the two color watchband, etc...

Others later tied the same pattern with paracord, but have given it different names, where it has most likely long been called something else, being an already existing style, when tied with cottom/hemp in macrame work, tatting, and so on. ;)

smet337 said...

Hey morning to you Stormdrane,On the cobra with the cord going right to left straight down the center how do you get it so even?And on the other one how do you keep the pattern also even?I'am having a hard time getting my fid under the wrap.Do you do the cobra somewhat loose?I have a filling you are going to tell me patience LOL.Well Stormdrane thanks for your time and have a good weekend Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, I make sure the stitching cord is lined up where I want it each time before tightening it and going on to the next stitch. You can go back and work slack out, from one end to the other, if needed.

The knots of the lanyard or bracelet pattern, that stitching is added to, should not be so tight that you cannot work the stitching around the strands.

Using small diameter cord(0.9mm and 1.4mm) with a small lacing needle has worked well for me, but using larger diameter cord, like 1/16", 3/32", or gutted paracord can be difficult or may not work at all if the pattern you're adding the stitching to is just too tight.

I've added stitching to a few projects that I tied several years ago. If you're adding stitching to new knot work, just make sure it's not too tight to work around.

Marcel said...

Hey stormdrane.
At first. Your work is awesome. :)
At second. would you tell where u get your 1.4mm cord?
i tried so many. but your cord seems to be nylon or something.

With best regards :) marcel

Stormdrane said...

@Marcel, Most of the 1.4mm nylon cord I use came from ebay. You can find the same from mini blind supply sources as well.

See my blog's links list for 'mowfugger' on ebay, FixMyBlinds.com, GPJ Rope, & R&W Rope, for other sources of 1.4mm cord, some are braided nylon, others may be braided poly material.

*Note that in my experience, the braided nylon darker colors do not hold thier dye well(black, red, green, blue), so they have a worn look after tying, but the cord itself is still good. It may be possible to dye the cord to whatever color you want using nylon acid dyes, but I have not tried that... ;)

Unknown said...

where did you find your small perm lock needle

Stormdrane said...

@Domenic, I bought my small Perma-Lok lacing needle at a local Hobby Lobby store, but they can be found online through sources like ebay and Amazon. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey Stormdrane!
Amazing knots. Bought your book and now want to buy this big paracord needle. Where can i get these???

Stormdrane said...

@Anonymous, I've not written a book, but you can find the Super Jumbo Perma-Lok lacing needles at Amazon, linked in the post, and they also can be found on ebay... ;)

Unknown said...

what is the name of the bracelet, have not seen this braid before and would like to learn it, what is the name of the braid without stitching??

Stormdrane said...

@johnathan, Click on the 'woven pattern' link in the blog post for more info on that paracord bracelet.

Unknown said...

Stormdrane,

I love your blog. Like many others I've been inspired to start my own projects, and I'm having a lot of fun.

Now that I've made several watchbands & bracelets, I'd like to try some of the stitching patterns. I'm looking around for what's available in smaller cordage on Amazon and my local craft shops, and the 1mm hemp cord looks really interesting.

Question is, what can I use to stitch with that? I have no sewing experience, and the only needle I have at the moment is the Jumbo Perma Lok for paracord. Will a smaller Perma Lok work, or is that only for synthetics?

Thanks,
T.J.

Stormdrane said...

@T.J., I use the small permalok needle with the smaller diameter cord, which will work with hemp/cotton, but sometimes doesn't grip as well. Tandy Leather also has a prong needle that can clamp onto a cord end for lacing/stitching projects.

Anonymous said...

i want to buy your stuff can i?

Stormdrane said...

@Anonymous, I stay away from selling to keep from getting burned out on my hobby, instead encouraging folks to give tying a try and do their own knot work.

For those looking to buy knotwork, check the buy/sell/trade sections of various forums, ebay, etsy, artfire, facebook, etc...

Unknown said...

Hey, i'd like to know where you buy those plastic buckles.

Stormdrane said...

@lolerbabop, I buy the side release buckles from many different sources on ebay and amazon, whenever I need a few more in various sizes, 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8".

I do not keep a large supply, and usually just buy a pack of 10 when I run out of the ones I have. You just have to shop around to find the exact style/color/size you want. ;)

Unknown said...

Hello,
could you please give a link or tutorial for how to make the bracelet before it's center stitched? I think it's so much cooler than the regular cobra stitch!
Thanks,
-Jim

Anonymous said...

How do you make the original bracelet before stitching?

Stormdrane said...

@Anonymous, Click on the 'woven pattern' link in the blog post. ;)

Unknown said...

Hello,
I love this site. I am curious to know why you use the plastic quick release buckles instead of a more heavy duty buckle like the metal ones I have seen around?

Stormdrane said...

@Simon, I have used metal buckles before, but I just prefer the plastic ones which work just fine for my purposes. ;)

Unknown said...

Love your work man, which lacing needle did you do for the center stitched fishtail? I'm planning on making one of these using #95 paracord which is 1/16" but i can't find a lacing needle smaller than 3/32".

Thanks, Josh

Stormdrane said...

@Josh, the Perma-Lok lacing needles can fit a range of cord sizes. For 1/16", 3/32", 2mm, and paracord, I've used the Perma-Lok Jumbo Lacing Needle #1193-02.

For smaller diameter cord, 1.4mm and 0.9mm, I use the small Perma-Lok needle #1193-01, which is too small for 1/16" cord.

When the cord seems too large to fit the needle, I cut it at an angle and quick melt the edge, let it cool and harden, so that it fits and holds inside the threaded needle.

Unknown said...

Hello Stormdrane, love your work and dedication, thanks for sharing your talents...! Question, I have been wanting to do the center stitch on this bracelet and was wondering how to add two more cords to it, so having a three color center. I have seen many of them but no tutorials. Is it as simple as just adding another stitch to ether side?

Thanks again!

Alex