Learn how to make a paracord keychain and make functional accessories you can give as gifts and even sell!
RELATED: How To Make A Paracord Belt: Step-By-Step Instructions
In this article:
How to Make a Paracord Keychain with a Secret Compartment
What You'll Need to Make a DIY Paracord Keychain
- 3 5ft strands of paracord – (Try it with three different colors!)
- Lighter or matches
- Pencil
- Keyring
Instructions on How to Make a Paracord Keychain
Step 1. Getting Started
Take your first two strands of paracord and intersect them at the centers to form a cross. The bottom one should be horizontal and the top one vertical.
Step 2. Loop the Paracord
Take the ends of the horizontal (P1) cord and cross each strand over the vertical cord (P2) to form an “S” shape.
Step 3. Start Weaving
Now, keeping the P1 as is, weave P2 so the top end comes down, over P1 and down throughout the bottom loop formed by P1.
Do the same with the bottom end of P2 but bring it up over P1 and through the top loop.
Pull to tighten the knot, keeping it loose for the next step.
Step 4. Weave in the Third Piece of Paracord
Now, grab your third piece of paracord (P3). Take one end of P3 and insert it through the side of the knot you just made.
Do this by passing it through the loops made by P1 until you've reached the midpoint of P3.
Pull cords to tighten into your first knot.
RELATED: How to Make A Paracord Survival Bracelet: Tire Tread
Step 5. Begin Making the Crown Knots
Let's begin to make the crown knots. Let's start with all your pieces spread out in each direction.
Then take that right end of P1 and cross it down over the bottom strand of P2.
Continue clockwise, repeating the same process until you get back to the top.
Continue looping the paracord.
Loop the paracord around until it looks like this.
At the top, take the top strand of P2, loop it over P3 and through the loop made by P3 and P1.
Pull to tighten. Now you have a closed crown knot!
Step 6. Making the Secret Compartment
Once you have completed 3-4 crown knots, it's time to grab your pencil!
Place your pencil inside the knots you've made and continue to make crown knots up the pencil.
This is what your key fob should be looking like. You have enough cord to make about a 5″ long fob.
Step 7. Fill the Secret Compartment
Once you've made your fob to the length you want, it's time to fill your hidden compartment and close it off! With the pencil still inserted, make one more crown knot, but keep it loose.
You are now going to finish it off by make a diamond knot. To do this grab one end…
…put it under and through the next loop in the series.
Pull it through.
Repeat with the next cord over, continue around in a clockwise motion until all the cords are coming out of the center of the knot.
Tighten the knot just enough to keep the cords together. Remove the pencil.
Step 8. Try to Fit in Different Items in the Compartment
You now have an awesome compartment that can hold some waterproof survival gear or even some cash for that unexpected rainy day. Place your items inside the compartment.
Tighten the knot all the way to finish your DIY paracord keychain.
Step 9. Add Keyring to Your Finished DIY Paracord Keychain
Add your keyring to the top part of the fob and your DIY paracord keychain is done!
Watch this video tutorial from Paracord Crafts to make a quick release paracord key fob:
There you go, practical DIY junkies! A DIY paracord keychain of your own.
With these practical accessories, a hit these days, they'll make such wonderful presents for friends and families whatever the occasion.
Will you give this DIY paracord keychain a try? Let us know your plans for a DIY paracord keychain in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 9, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Miss Stephanie, this is a neat idea and would like to try this but you failed to tell us how to terminate the loose ends and how to access the hidden stash within. With arthritis in would be nice to know how to do this rather than wear out my hands doing it wrong until I find the right way. Thank you and God bless for your information it is nice not to have to sift through a bunch of repetitive garbage just to find out you have to pay for the heart of the information.
You gently loosen the last ring you made and that’s how you get to the hidden stash. Don’t loosen them too much.
Any chance you could redo this with three separate colors? To be honest, I got my P1s 2s and 3s screwed up!
We will try to do that soon. Thanks!
will it be easy to untie the knot to get the stuff out? Looks like a good idea.
Yes. It is super easy to untie the paracord keychain
I find the instrustions good and descriptive but i wish she used diferent colored ropes so it would be easier to allow
Thanks. I want to make a multi color one next.
I’m guessing before you really start making this you should melt the ends so they don’t fray as you’re making the keychain. How long should you leave the ends once done? Will it untie at all with daily use? I’ll have to give this a try and find out, but it would be helpful if you could post a little more info about the ending of making it and how it works. I understand from an earlier post that you just don’t want to loosen it too much.
More info would be great! Thanks!
Looks great. I want to use an aluminum cigar tube with a lid. Ever tried that? Guessing I’ll need longer cord. How do you calculate length needed for six inches? Thanks.
Good idea Ken with the cigar tube. And good question about the length.
Made one last night. Kinda had to redo it. The more I drank the more the thing got screwed up… I think I created a new knot, lol. Anyrate it turned out pretty good. Thanks
Quite a neat tutorial. I made one of these a while back and it turned out really well.
Mark
Would love this as a bracelet since it would be much easier to carry and access on my wrist in an emergency. Do you have a pattern for one? Thank you for all of your tips and hard work!
Two things Stephanie,
1. Can you make a repelling harness with paracord ?
and
2. Can you repel using paracord ?
Thank you in advance for your attention.