Beaded Paracord Bracelet

Adding beads is an easy way to add interest to a simple bracelet. Here I used a standard Solomon Bar and added pony beads. These beads are inexpensive, available at any craft store in a variety of colors, and have an opening large enough to accommodate 550 paracord with ease.

For this 8 inch bracelet I used 7 feet of 550 paracord, 14 beads, one 1/2 inch side release buckle, and the general paracord tools including scissors, bent nose pliers, and a lighter. The number of beads will vary with the length of the bracelet you are making.

Slide both ends of the cord through the slot in one piece of the buckle leaving a small loop. Pull the ends through the loop and pull tight. You should have the loop towards the inside of the bracelet (the side that will be against your wrist.)

Slide both ends of the cord through the slot in the other piece of the buckle.

I use a jig so once I have a wrist measurement, I add half an inch, set the jig, plug in the buckle ends and go. You can wrap the core around your wrist to measure size if you don't use a jig. I like to add half an inch to an inch to the wrist measurement to insure a comfortable fit. Better too loose than too tight!

Left Cord and Right Cord refer to the working ends that we will be knotting. The two inner cords, sometimes called the Core Strands, are held at each end by the buckle pieces.

1. Cross the left cord over the two inner cords and under the right cord.

2. Pass the right cord under the inner cords and up over the loop made by the left cord in step 1.

3. Pull both cords to make a snug knot.

4. Do the same thing but from the other side - right over core and under left cord, left under core and over right loop, pull snug.

1. Add a bead to the left cord.

2. Cross the left cord over the inner strands and under the right cord. Keep the bead on top.

3. Cross the right cord under the inner strands and over the loop made by the left cord.

4. Pull the cords to make a snug knot keeping the bead in place.

5. Make a knot from the other side but without the bead - right cord over core and under left cord, left cord under core and over right loop, pull snug.

Alternate a knot with a bead and a knot without a bead until you get to the end of the bracelet.

Pull the loose ends of cord to the back of the bracelet. Using pliers, pull the ends under the first loop made when you attached the buckle. Pull the ends tight, snip, then singe with the lighter to prevent unraveling.