I've seen folks wearing these made with hemp cord or twine since I was a kid. I even remember trying to make one back in the 70's at a vacation bible school, but couldn't figure it out and ended up making something with popsicle sticks instead. I saw one online while surfing(KHWW) and it sparked my memory, so I gave it a try.
It's made using a couple of sinnets(round or square will work). I start with four 24 inch lengths of gutted(inner strands removed) paracord. Make the two separate top and bottom sinnets of the cross first, no loop on the bottom part and I make a small loop on the top part, but you could make the loop longer to use as a lanyard, fob, or necklace. Once you have those made, with the loose ends facing each other, use two strands from the top and two from the bottom and continue a sinnet out to the side making an arm of the cross, doing one side, trimming and melt the ends, then do the other side.
I made a few more using the round sinnet, two outer ones are made with Atwood utility cord(olive/black tracer and the woodland camo) and the smaller center one with olive/black tracer Type I paracord.
The black and neon green cross was made with gutted 550 paracord using a round sinnet.
I've had a few soldiers email me since I posted the cross, and said they've made them with paracord while serving in Iraq and 'Ranger Rosaries' and 'Pathfinder Rosaries' are also popular.
I also made this small 1.5" by 1" cross in leather.
The one I used to have had a small bead in the void in the center.It made the cross a bit sturdier at this weak point. Any idea how it was threaded in? It seemed too small to have more than a single line through it.
ReplyDeleteI think a bead could be used if it was cross drilled, meaning it has holed top to bottom and side to side. That way the cords could go thru the top and bottom parts and out the sides for the arms of the cross. The bead would have to be large enough to allow four strands to fit thru each hole. I haven't tried it, but it sounds doable in theory.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think the one I had may have had a core in it that went through the bead. A thin wire or bar. It just occurred to me because I remember that it got bent once and I had to bend it back into shape.
ReplyDeleteBut then, then tight stitch does kind of hold its shape when it's bent, so I could be wrong.
Great work. Thanks for showing.
ReplyDeleteFDV (Franzi_D)
WoW! So amazing! Never see it before.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!
You know, stormdrane, if this keeps up my wife is going to start cursing the internet and candlepower forums me making all these exceddingly neat things. Of course, it will also give me things to do the next time I go over there.
ReplyDeleteCould you make more detailed instructions? I would love to make one of these for my husband before he goes to Iraq.
ReplyDeletewhspatron@gmail.com
Do you think a bead with one hole could be sewn in? Perhaps stitched to the top and bottom sections with a sturdy thread before the side pieces are formed. The sides would then hide any visible threads. Just an idea to consider since I have not tried this.
ReplyDeleteJoe
Sure, a bead can be added. I've seen a few folks that have put them in the gap, but I don't know for sure how it was held in place, maybe sewn, glued, or just friction.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just want to say thanks for all of your cross tutorials. I've wanted to know how to make these for a few years now, and I've made four so far (I plan to give them to family and friends) following your instructions. Thank you. :-)
Ever thought about selling these? I'm crap at actually getting anything more complex then the lanyards to come out right and even those take a few tries, LoL.
ReplyDeleteBeen trying to find one of the Dog tag sized ones online but haven't had any luck. I have found one that was some 4.5 inches tall, but that is a bit too large for a keychain or pendant for my taste.
@John, I rarely sell knot work to keep from getting burned out on my hobby. Taking requests also required keeping a large supply and variety of cord and attachments, and that can get expensive, which had me spending more than what I made selling things.
ReplyDeleteYou might ask one of the knot tyers that does make/sell the crosses, on ebay/etsy, to make you one using the smaller 'Type I'/2mm/1/16" sized paracord/accessory/dummy cord that the Supply Captain carries.
Storm, Those crosses are Sweeeet ! A woman I know really got me addicted to making hemp/leather/beaded/paracord bracelets/necklaces and I have a duffle bag full of supplies (over a 3 year period)... Anyway, Thanks so much for posting the DIY rather than just a pic of it.
ReplyDeleteRe: Center Bead - The crosses with center beads sold at swapmeets or mini marts use a thin wire or needle run down the center, right through the bead.
ReplyDelete