Para-cord Elf Tree Decoration

These are a great way to get young kids into knot work, or older ones can make them and sell them at a Christmas Craft Fair. (they also make handy key rings)

1 x 3 cm Bead or Ball with a hole in it.

1 x 40 cm Para-cord (Red)

1 x 50 cm Para-cord (White)

1 x Skewer or Needle

Start by taking the longer length of paracord (white) and bend it in half. Place it on the table with the open end pointing away from you. This will form the head and legs.

Now run the shorter length (Red) under the open end, the legs.

You should have the same length of red cord on either side and the red cord about 5 cm from the ends of the white cord.

Start the torso by bending the left hand side red working end over the two white cords (fig.1). The red cord ontop should be the one closest to you.

Take the red cord furthest from you over the other red cord (fig 2), and under the two white cords (fig 3).

Now pass the left hand working end through the loop formed by the red paracord (fig 4)

Basically an overhand knot tied around two separate cords.

Carefully pull both red ends to tighten the knot (fig 5)

Now take the red working end on the right hand side and pass it over the two white cords (fig 1).

Take the red cord furthest from you over the other red cord (fig 2), and under the two white cords (fig 3).

Now pass the right hand working end through the loop formed by the red paracord (fig 4)

Carefully pull both red ends to tighten the knot (fig 5)

Repeat this alternating process until you get the desired torso length, about 5 knots (fig 6).

To fit the head you will need to thread the white loop through the bead or ball. This is where the skewer comes in, use the blunt end to push the loop through (fig 1,2).

Bring the Head down to the torso. Tie an overhand knot on the bite with the remainder of the white loop above the head (fig 3,4,5).

Hold on the the two legs and push the head and torso up to the white cord until they are tight to the overhand knot. (fig 6,7)

You could leave him like this, but we think he's a bit to 'Slender Man' for Christmas!!

Simply tie overhand knots on all the ends to form feet and hands and trim the ends with a hot knife (be careful !)

Feel free to draw/pain on an Elf face or glue on a cotton wool Santa beard or just leave it blank its up to you.

Now hang him on your tree or stand him beside a reindeer and your finished.