Can I Braid a Rope Out of a Single Length of Paracord?

Paracord is one of the most essential components of any survival kit, whether on land, at sea, or even in space: in 1997, paracord was used to repair the Space Shuttle while in orbit. Special Forces soldiers and hikers alike appreciate paracord's strength and versatility.

  1. Paracord

    • Paracord consists of seven two-ply nylon yarns, enclosed in a polypropelyne sheath. This construction makes it very versatile--the nylon strands can be removed from the sheath and both the core and the sheath can be used individually.

    Braiding Paracord

    • Military-grade paracord can bear over 500 pounds of weight, but for some applications, a single strand of paracord may not be tough enough. For these situations, paracord can be braided to create an extremely strong rope. Making a braided rope from a single, uncut length of paracord is more difficult than simply braiding a number of separate strands together, but it will maintain the integrity and strength of the paracord, while allowing the paracord to be easily unbraided and reused.

    Lucet-Braiding

    • The best way to braid a rope from a single length of paracord (or indeed, of any cord) is to use a lucet. Lucets have been used since Viking times to braid strong ropes out of single lengths of cord. In its simplest form, a lucet consists of a two-pronged piece of wood or wire. A handle makes the lucet easier to use. A simple lucet can be carved from a piece of wood or twisted out of coat-hanger wire.

    Making the Rope

    • To braid a piece of cord into a rope using the lucet, use your left hand to hold the lucet and grip the end of the paracord to maintain tension.

      Wrap the paracord in a figure-eight around the two prongs of the lucet: first around the back and then the front of the left prong, then back-to-front on the right prong. Turn the lucet clockwise to wrap the paracord around the new left-hand prong. Lift the bottom cord up and over the working cord (held in the right hand), then up and over the right prong, and let it go.

      Turn the lucet clockwise again, and lift the bottom cord on the new right prong up and over the working thread (held in the right hand) and over the right-hand prong.

      Continue turning the lucet clockwise and pulling the right-hand prong's loop over the working cord until the rope begins to form. As the rope forms, pull it through the left hand to maintain the tension.

      The finished lucet-braided rope will be four-ply and have a square cross section. When lucet-braided rope is cut, it doesn't fray. And because the paracord remains intact during the braiding, the rope will be extremely strong and can be unbraided at any time.