I'm going to show you how I make the compass fob. You can hang your keys from it, use it as a zipper pull or throw it in your camping bag to keep as a backup. You don't have to use this article as the definite method. If something is too hard or too simple feel free to change it.
First off let's get our supplies. You will need a button compass, glue 8 feet of paracord, a lighter and a pair of scissors. I prefer using scissors rather than a knife because the knife tears through the cord and pulls one strand. I also burn the ends of the strands as I cut them to keep them from fraying.
Cut the cord into three strands and burn the ends. Two strands that are two feet long and one strand that is four feet long.
Middle the two strands that you cut two feet. Make sure your strands form a + if you were to look at them from the top then flip it over. We are going to tie a Double Matthew Walker Knot.
Sort out your cords.
Take one strand and bring it under the remaining strands counter-clockwise and back up through itself forming an overhand knot.
Take each remaining strand one at a time going counter-clockwise around and up through the previous knots. Each strand will pass in the first knot.
After each strand has made the turn take the last one and pull it snug. Do not over tighten at this stage.Then take the next to last one and pull it snug. Continue going clockwise around the knot pulling them snug. Once you have gotten them all even and snug take the inside of the knot and pull it up to make your loop on the bottom shorter.
Once pulled tight it makes a handsome knot.
Tie a counter-clockwise crown and pull it tight. Continue counter-clockwise and tie 2 more crowns.
Tie a wall knot and leave it loose for now. The wall looks strikingly similar to the crown knot but note the difference of how the strands exit the knot. In the wall they are exiting though the top, and on the wall the exit the bottom.
Double the lead on the wall knot to tie a double wall and pull it tight. It should be resting under the crown sinnet you tied previously.
Once you have the Double Wall Knot tight you can trim the ends and burn them.
What you've done in tying the crowns and wall is make a flat spot for the compass to sit.
Admire your work at this point, you're going to cover most of it up in the next few steps and not see it again.
Glue on the button compass and let it dry completely. Don't worry if it's a little messy as long as you don't put glue on the top of the compass you should be okay. Most of this is going to be covered.
While you're waiting for the glue to dry take the remaining paracord and tie a 4Lx5B Turks Head Knot. Double the knot and get it ready to slip over the work you just did.
Carefully tighten up the THK.
Once tight trim and burn the ends and tuck them out of sight inside the THK.
Be sure you take photos and post them in the comments. I love looking at knots too!
Great tutorial and a cool project. When you say:
ReplyDeleteIn the wall they are exiting though the top, and on the wall the exit the bottom.
I think you mean to say:
In the Crown they are exiting though the top, and on the Wall they exit through the bottom.