How To Make A Paracord Dog Leash Using The Seesaw Knot

By Karen Friesecke

Paracord is a really great cord to use for braiding and knotting projects! It’s strong, durable and washable, too! The goal of this tutorial is to teach you how to easily make a dog leash with parachute cord by using the double tatted chain knot.

Supplies And Tools You Will Need

You’ll need a few basic tools to make this project. A C-clamp, hemostat clamps, scissors, a lighter, a flexible measuring tape, a dog leash snap and paracord.

Parachute cord shrinks by 10% when it gets wet, so it is very important that you preshrink it!To preshrink the paracord, soak it in hot water for 5 minutes and then hang it to dry.

To determine how much paracord you will need, the project length must be broken down into inches and multiplied by five. We are making a four foot leash with a five inch allowance to make a handle loop. Therefore 53? X 5 = 265?. For making this leash you will need TWO cords that EACH measure 265? long.

STEP 1 – Arranging The Cords On The Snap

Fold both of the cords evenly in half and run the loop of each cord through the eyelet of the snap. Take the loose ends of the cords and run them through the cord loops.

STEP 2 – Clamping The Snap

Clamp the snap to a steady surface like a table top The clamp will keep the cords from twisting, which can be very frustrating for the novice knotter.

STEP 3 – Making The First Knot

To make the seesaw knot, we will be knotting alternating half-hitch knots. Take the first colour of cords, bring it behind the second set of cords and through the loop that you have just created. Gently tighten up your knot. Don’t tighten too much since your work will start to twist if you do.

STEP 4 – Making The Second Knot

You will now take the second set of cords and make a half-hitch in the OTHER direction

STEP 5 – Making The Third Knot

Take the first set cord and make a knot in the same direction as you did with knot one. Keep knotting until you make a cord that is 53? long. You can measure it with the flexible measuring tape

STEP 6 – Starting The Handle Loop

From the END of the knot work, measure out five inches and fold it over on the leash.

STEP 7 – Finishing the Cord Ends Part One

Find the closest spot where the first set of cords cord goes under the second set of cords cord. Poke the hemostat clamps under set two, grasp set one and pull it through. Repeat this for the second set of cords. Repeat this “back knotting process once more. Stretch the leash out with your hands, this will allow the cords to settle properly into place. Now trim the cords relatively close to the leash.

STEP 8 – Finishing The Cord Ends Part Two

*NOTE* The melted ends of the paracord get really hot and a hot plastic burn can be really serious. Please be careful!

With your lighter, place the flame as close to one set of the cut ends as you can. When the paracord gets all brown and bubbly, take the flat side of your knife & press is against the same coloured cord that is directly below it. Repeat this for the second set of cords. If the ends are a little rough and not to your liking, you can do another pass with the lighter.

Your leash is now finished, so you can go walk the dog.

About the Author: Karen Friesecke is the author of

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a DIY pet blog, where you can see this tutorial complete with pictures.

Source:

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