PARACORD BRACELETS- SURVIVAL

  I can't even count how many times I have looked at the paracord supplies in a craft store and thought..that would be fun to do but what would I do with them afterwards...they are just kinda too rugged looking to be cute.

Recently I was blog hopping and came across a request to make paracord bracelets for men serving in the US Military. My initial reaction was.... whyyy?? 

Imagine my shock as I read on and discovered that paracord bracelets are actually survival tools. In a crisis the bracelets are designed to be untied and the ropes (and internal fibers) used for various survival  needs such as tourniquets, splints, slings, making a harness, making a lean-to, and lots of other uses. 

WOW! I now love the idea of making paracord bracelets. If you too are looking for a random project to do, here is some info to help you get started.

SURVIVALLIFE.COM
They offer video tutorials and patterns for 16 different bracelets.

 OPERATION GRATITUDE

is an organization that collects and ships off things for our men/women in the military. They are currently in need of paracord bracelets.

SLIDE RELEASE BUCKLES
are available at this E-bay store for just pennies each. Buy a bulk of 100 for only $12.

OUTDOOR BUNKER- PARACORD
This E-bay store offers very reasonable prices on various colors of camo paracord. For every 3 hanks of 100 ft. cord you buy, you get 1 free! And the shipping is free.
Note: When buying the cord for serviceman bracelets remember to get muted colors and nothing flashy. The camo cord available at Outdoor Bunker are ideal!

FAST/EASY PROJECT ARM KNITTING OR FINGER CROCHET SCARF OR COWL

Winter is here and if you're looking for a super easy project to do while you cozy up to a fire, you're going to love these.  For those of you that struggle with the dexterity of knitting needles or crochet hooks, these super easy projects are done using only your fingers. You won't believe how fast you can whip up a cowl, scarf or infinity scarf using either of these methods. 

  ARM KNITTING

If your budget is tight this Christmas-- these would make great low cost gifts to give to your family and friends. I bought a skein of chunky yarn in Joanne Fabrics on sale for $3.49. One skein was enough to do one arm knitted cowl (infinity scarf).  Once we followed the tutorial to get started, both Marlee & I each finished an infinity scarf in about 15-20 minutes! And the result: beeeeautiful! 

 

 

Another option rather than buying chunky yarns (although I love them!), is to use regular afghan weight yarns and combine several strands (and colors) to create your own chunky weight yarn in your color choices to give your scarf a variegated chunky yarn effect.



 

FINGER CROCHET SCARF/COWL

  

Using only our fingers (and no hooks) you can crochet a chunky scarf or cowl. If you're a crocheter you are going to catch onto this process really quickly. For those of you that can't crochet it is still a very easy learn and fun to do. I did a finger crochet cowl in about an hour. There are two differences between this and the arm-knit projects. The finger crocheted completed project is more heftier and has a closer weave effect. Also, it took two skeins of yarn--instead of the one that I used to make the arm-knit version.

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ARM KNITTING:

Here is a listing of the best tutorials I have found for arm knitting.

• Flax and Twine- Anne has a terrific step-by-step tutorial on her blog-- complete with photos per each step.

• Handimania- There are quite a few video tutorials for arm knitting but the video on Handimania is far and above the easiest to follow along.

• Yarnspirations offers 6 Video Tutorials 

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   FINGER CROCHET

Here are a couple of tutorials for finger crocheting that I found to be most useful:

• How To Finger Crochet 


• Easy Finger Crochet Scarf

 

Have Fun!!

Arm Knitted Scarf Pattern

Arm Knitted Triangular Scarf 

Download Full Pattern-pdf

Arm Knitting- Scarf w/ pompoms

Arm Knitted scarf w/ pompoms

Download pattern here-pdf

Arm Knitting- Shawl pattern

ARM KNITTING- SHAWL WITH FRINGE

Full pattern here- pdf

ARM KNITTED HOLIDAY BLANKET

Arm Knitting- Blanket/afghan/thrown in 3 hours
Full pattern here-- pdf