When I first started tying paracord fobs and lanyards, I very quickly realised why the ubiquitous paracord crown plait ‘tactical lanyard’ has a bead at the start – it’s to neaten the top loop, which otherwise splays open:
A typical crown sinnet lanyard leaves a splayed, open loop at the top.A common option is to use a bead (a skull, obviously) to keep the loop closed.
I felt this design was rather unsatisfactory, so after a bit of experimentation I can up with this – I felt much neater – tying method:
My method starts with a Matthew Walker knot, tied in the longer length of cord which is going to form the loop.The second cord is then threaded through the MW knot. It’s usually easiest to open up the MW knot with a pair of forceps or a small screwdriver from underneath.You are now ready to start the crown plait.The MW start gives a nice, neat start to the sinnet.Side view.A completed lanyard with MW start, square crown plait, and footrope knot to finish.Another finished lanyard made from gutted 550 paracord and attached to a DPx Gear HEST folder with a girth hitch.Lanyard made from 2mm climbing accessory cord, with a round crown plait, on a USB key.Lanyard made from 2.5mm nylon cord, attached to a Nitecore P12 flashlight.
