I used a couple of feet of paracord to make a loop and
lanyard/diamond knot for the base of the watchband/bracelet, sized to fit around my wrist. Then cut nineteen separate one foot long sections of black 1.4mm diameter cord to make a series of individual Solomon bar/Portuguese sinnet 'rungs', calling them that as they looked to me like the rungs of a ladder stacked/tied along the length of the parallel
paracord strands. If tied just as a bracelet without the watch, several more sections would be needed to fill that space. Different colors could be used as well, so you've got lots of potential options should you give tying one a try.
I middled each length of the
1.4mm cord, ring/cow hitched it onto one paracord strand, ran the cords around the other paracord strand, then tied the knots.
I kept the paracord spaced just under an inch wide as I added the knotted 'rungs'. It did take a bit of time and patience to keep them all sized the same, with tying them in hand. I think maybe using a couple of dowels clamped at the spacing I wanted, would speed up that process, and then having the number needed to fill up the space for a bracelet or watchband, I could just easily slide them off the dowels and run the paracord through the loops...
I used a small
Permal-Lok lacing needle to tuck the end strands of the Solomon bars back under the knots, then trimmed and tucked each to finish.
The watchband/bracelet could be done with a side release buckle, but I just wanted a simple knot and loop closure to try this one out. The last Solomon bar rung can be worked snug against the lanyard/diamond knot to secure it against coming loose. This could be somewhat adjustable with moving one or two of the Solomon bars back/forth, then sliding the lanyard/diamond knot through for the best fit, readjusting the bars to lock the knot in place.
Variations are certainly possible, like having the Solomon bar sections connected, like a wide Solomon pattern, a vertical section connecting each pair of horizontals, or alternating the bar with shared strands, etc...
I took a few quick process photos for a collage with tying one Solomon bar section on the paracord wrist loop/knot already tied.
Hi from Russia.
ReplyDeleteYour work is super.
So you threaded the 1.4mm cord back into the solomon & didn't burn any of the ends correct?
ReplyDelete@Lisa, Yes, after tying each of the Solomon sections, the two working ends of each were tucked back inside/under the knots, alongside the core strands, one on each side of the bar.
ReplyDeleteBecause the 1.4mm cord makes for smaller knots, my hemostats are a bit too big to pull the strands under the knots, but the small Perma-Lok lacing needle worked well for finishing them.
It would probably have been a bit faster with trimming the strands and melting them in place with my wood burning tool, or strategically using super glue, but those methods don't always leave as clean a finish.
Sewing the ends in place with needle/thread is another option but also a time consuming endeavor... ;)
SD, you do such great work. It is always a privilege to see your work.
ReplyDelete- Bill said that
Awesome. Always impressive.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the tuck. I try to do as little burning/melting as possible with my paracord. Nice work yet again.
ReplyDeleteI have not worn my watch in years. THAT would make me wear one again. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to attaché a side release buckle to this design?
ReplyDelete@Charles, Certainly, you can use a side release buckle or a D/bow shackle if you wanted. Here's an example pic from another project with cord ring/cow hitched on one end and a square knot on the other.
ReplyDeleteDid you by chance make a video of this watch? My husband would absolutely LOVE this and he is HARD on a watch band, LOL.
ReplyDelete@Dee Dee, There's no video at this time, just the photo collage of the process of adding each Solomon bar section to the paracord bracelet or watchband piece.
ReplyDeleteAs always beatifull work.
ReplyDeleteCan You please tell me how did You done that "photo collage" instructions ?
Kind regards,
Neven
@Neven, Each little section of Solomon bar/Portuguese sinnet/cobra stitch is tied the same way as a basic paracord bracelet, attached to each side of the paracord wrist loop instead of a side release buckle.
ReplyDeleteCan you show one with clips? I don't trust loop systems.
ReplyDelete@Kevin, For one with a side release buckle, just add paracord to one end with a cow/ring hitch, run strands around other buckle end and tie a square knot, keeping the paracord spread/spaced out with room for the Solomon bars at measured wrist length.
ReplyDeleteHere's an example from an old blog post.
Do you think using shock cord instead of paracord for this watchband would be possible?
ReplyDelete@Unknown, Sure, shock/bungee type cord could be used in place of the paracord, for a 'stretchy' type bracelet/watchband.
ReplyDeleteVery nice work I like it 👍
ReplyDelete