Reclaim Lawnchair With Paracord

If you have an old, but sturdy lawnchair, you can give it new life using paracord to create a new seat.

Unlike other instructables found on this website, this creation does not weave paracord like a loom or create a net for the seat, but rather uses the same techniques used in knitting or crocheting to knit the paracord into a strong and flexible seat.

The pattern used here utilizes double knots and single knots to create a repeatable pattern that is expandable for any size seat. It has the added benefit of creating an interesting pattern that is pleasing to the eyes.

The pattern shown here utilizes 6 inches of paracord for every square inch. Make sure to purchase enough paracord to finish your project. Measure the area to be covered and multiply by 6 to estimate inches of paracord needed. Divide by 12 to convert inches to feet.

EXAMPLE Seat Only: 16.5 (wide) x 20 (depth) x 6 = 1980 inches / 12 = 165 ft of paracord

One lawnchair with fabric removed.

Summary: Use double knots along the frame to start.

To start the first row of double knots perform the following:

1. Wrap one end of the paracord around the corner of the frame and secure using whatever knot you want. Just make sure it does not become unraveled.
2. Take the leading line (NOTE: The leading line is any piece of string that is untied or is not connected to previous knot) and make a twisted loop.
3. Ensure the twisted loop has the trailing line (NOTE: The trailing line is piece of string connected to a previous knot) on the outside of the bar and the leading line is touching the bar.
4. Pull the leading line down and around the back of the bar to form a loop.
5. Wrap the untied line of the loop over the top of the bar and insert line into the loop to form another loop.
6. Hold this new loop with your fingers.
7. Insert the untied line underneath the trailing line so that you have two equal sized loops. Look bunny ears!
8. Insert the leading loop into the other loop and tighten. (NOTE: if done properly, the leading line will be under the double knot and the knot will come undone if pulled.)
9. Ensure to leave an equal sized loop for attaching to the next row. If necessary, insert a stick to keep loop at proper size.
10. Repeat double knots until one side of frame is filled.

Create a row of single knots by performing the following:

1. Secure one end of the next colored paracord line to the frame using any knot that you want while making sure that it will not unravel.
2. Twist the paracord line into a loop that points toward the first row of double knots.
3. Insert the loop into the open loop of the double knot from the first row.
4. Make sure that the twist has the trailing line on the inside and touching the edge of the loop of the double knot. (NOTE: If the twist is on the wrong side, the knot will tighten differently and loosen over time.)
5. Insert the leading line over the top of the double knot loop and into the newly formed loop.
6. Tighten loop to form a single knot.
7. Repeat steps for next series of single knots.

1. Secure leading line to frame using a double knot.
2. Secure leading line to single knot of row and double knot on the frame using a single knot tied to both loops.
3. Repeat single knots for the next row.

As needed, add more paracord by performing the following:

1. Temporarily, tie old paracord to new paracord.
2. Tie a single knot or double knot as part of the project.
3. Loosen and re-tie the temporary knot joining the two paracords so that the temp knot is at the loop of the single knot or double knot.
4. Trim line to look nice.
5. Treat loop like normal loop and tie to it as needed.

1. Skip final single row and jump to the frame.
2. Tie double knots on last frame side.
3. Stitch rows together to the frame row. (NOTE: If stitch is too loose due to loose knots, remove one row and stitch again. If stitch is too far apart, create a row to fill the gap.)
4. Finish the back. NOTE: The back is not load bearing and can have less number of rows.