Shoelace Bracelets – Cobra Knot “Paracord” Tutorial
These shoelace bracelets went viral on TikTok and people have been asking for a full tutorial – so here you go! When you’re done, check out these gimp bracelets too! This post contains affiliate links.
A few years ago, I wanted to showcase a fun little trick: you can use shoelaces instead of other stringing materials. It was during 2020 when supplies were sometimes harder to come by, and people were crafting more with what they had at home.
The video went pretty viral, especially for an account with almost no followers, and ever since people have been asking for a proper tutorial.
The truth is, the bracelet is a classic paracord bracelet style – a cobra knot. It’s worth learning no matter what stringing material you use. You can use paracord string, satin cording, macrame yarn, lanyard/plastic lacing, or whatever you want!
I closed it using a button because it just vibed with the whole shoelace theme. However, you can also use standard paracord buckles.
While I stuck with black and white laces (you guessed it – it’s what I had!) I do recommend getting colorful laces and buttons.
Why shoelace bracelets?
My real question is: why use shoelaces when you can just use regular string?
Shoelaces do have a unique quality to them (besides for the whole “can’t find string” bit).
They tend to be thinner, flatter, and have a bit more give than paracord. I found that they held very well. Paracord doesn’t make a totally firm knot – it loosens a bit until you’re done your bracelet.
While it’s still fabulous to use paracord, if you find that element frustrating, you’ll love making shoelace bracelets.
Even more importantly, shoelace bracelets tend to come out flatter. the shoelaces themselves are wider and flatter than paracord – or at least the ones that I had were. So you have a flatter, more flexible bracelet, which is always nice.
And finally, shoelaces are precut. This can be an advantage or disadvantage. Mine were a perfect size for the bracelet.
These can be a super fun summer camp craft and you’ll definitely want to make more than one!
What you’ll need
- Adult size shoelaces – go for fun, colorful ones. You need two – one will show, one won’t
- Button (preferable four holes)
- Hot glue gun (adults only – optional)
- Scissors
- Clipboard (optional – recommended for starting your shoelace bracelets)
How to make shoelace bracelets
Watch the full video tutorial on TikTok, or scroll for the step by step written instructions:
1. Start by folding your center string (the color that doesn’t show) in half, forming a loop to the top. Tape the fold/loop down to your surface or clip to a clipboard to make your first knot easier to start.
How to make a Cobra knot
2. In the photo, the first knot has already been made. Lay the shoelace that you’re knotting (main color) behind the doubled up shoelace. Center it on the knotting string, and place it about an inch below the top/fold on the center string.
Take your left string, place it over the center strings and under the right string.
3. Take the right string, keeping it over the left string that you brought to this ide, bring it behind the center strings, through the loop that you formed on the left and on top of the left string.
4. Tighten by pulling on both sides at the same time.
Half a knot is complete.
5. Now repeat in the reverse with the right string. Take the string on the right, bring it over the center and under the left. Bring the left under the strings in back…
…and through the loop on the right, so that it sits over the right string.
6. Pull tight, keep knotting until you’re happy with the length of your bracelet. Keep in mind the loop and a little extra space for finishing it off.
How to add a button clasp
7. Finish your shoelace bracelets by simply knotting the left lace 2-3 times around all your three strings.
8. Now take your knotting shoelaces and string each side in and out of the button holes. If using a button with two holes, just do this with one side.
9. Tie the two ends of that lace together. Then tie both ends of the center lace together over the stringing color to make it more secure. Pull tight.
10. Glue your knot and trim your center laces. Make sure it’s glued well before proceeding (you may need to add a little glue after you trim.
11. Trim your knotting lace as well, and glue a bit more over the ends.
Secure your shoelace bracelets by simply buttoning them shut!
How to Make a Bracelet Out of Shoelaces
Materials
- Adult size shoelaces - go for fun, colorful ones. You need two - one will show, one won't
- Button (preferable four holes)
- Hot glue gun (adults only - optional)
- Scissors
- Clipboard (optional - recommended for starting your shoelace bracelets)
Instructions
1. Start by folding your center string (the color that doesn't show) in half, forming a loop to the top. Tape the fold/loop down to your surface or clip to a clipboard to make your first knot easier to start.
2. In the photo, the first knot has already been made. Lay the shoelace that you're knotting (main color) behind the doubled up shoelace. Center it on the knotting string, and place it about an inch below the top/fold on the center string.
Take your left string, place it over the center strings and under the right string.
3. Take the right string, keeping it over the left string that you brought to this ide, bring it behind the center strings, through the loop that you formed on the left and on top of the left string.
4. Tighten by pulling on both sides at the same time.
Half a knot is complete.
5. Now repeat in the reverse with the right string. Take the string on the right, bring it over the center and under the left. Bring the left under the strings in back...
...and through the loop on the right, so that it sits over the right string.
6. Pull tight, keep knotting until you're happy with the length of your bracelet. Keep in mind the loop and a little extra space for finishing it off.
How to add a button clasp:
7. Finish your shoelace bracelets by simply knotting the left lace 2-3 times around all your three strings.
8. Now take your knotting shoelaces and string each side in and out of the button holes. If using a button with two holes, just do this with one side.
9. Tie the two ends of that lace together. Then tie both ends of the center lace together over the stringing color to make it more secure. Pull tight.
10. Glue your knot and trim your center laces. Make sure it's glued well before proceeding (you may need to add a little glue after you trim.
11. Trim your knotting lace as well, and glue a bit more over the ends.
