This paracord snake is SO EASY to make and it's such a fun summer craft for kids! PARENTAL SUPERVISION: HELP FROM AN ADULT IS REQUIRED WHEN MELTING THE PARACORD ENDS.
If your paracord doesn't come in 8 foot lengths, cut 2 pieces of paracord to be 8 feet each. If the ends feel hard, like they've already been melted, cut off the melted part. Hold the cut ends of the two colours beside each other, then carefully hold the flame of a BBQ lighter over the ends until they start to melt - about 3 seconds.
Quickly and carefully press the cords together until they cool off, keeping your fingers far away from the hot, melted ends.You should now have a 2 colour cord that's 16 feet long.
Fold the long cord in half and pull the melted connection (where the colours meet) 3 to 4 inches up so that the bottom loop is all one colour.
Keep the loop on the bottom and measure up about 12 inches. (Or however long you want your snake to be). Tie the cords in a knot.
Secure your knot by taping it to your working surface.
Step 3: Tie a cobra knot
Bring the left cord (dark green in this case) over top of the center cords. Lift the right cord (light green) over top so the light green cord is over the dark green cord. Now bring the right cord (light green) under the center cords and up through the left loop.
Pull both cords tight up to the top knot. You've just tied a cobra knot!
Step 4: Make alternating half-hitch knots
Bring the left cord under the center cords to make a loop on the left. Pull the cord back to the left over the center cords and down into the loop.
Pull this knot tight and push it up against the previous knot.
Now, bring the right cord over the center cords to make a loop on the right. Pull the cord back to the right underthe center cords and up into the loop.
Again, pull the knot tight and push it up.
Step 5: Repeat
The rest of the paracord snake is made using the same three knots you just tied. Repeat step 3 by making a cobra knot and pull it tight.Then repeat step 4 and tie alternating half hitch knots, starting with the left side. Pull them tight.
Continue this pattern, repeating steps 3 and 4, until you're a couple of inches away from the bottom loop.
Step 6: Add the snake's tongue
Cut a 3 inch piece of red paracord. Hold the end over the flame of a BBQ lighter for 2 to 3 seconds until the end is melted (but not burned).
Press the melted end against the side of the BBQ lighter to give it a smooth edge.Melting the paracord ends keeps the unfinished edges from unravelling.
Place the red paracord under the center cords and continue tying the same knots around them.
Be sure to hold the red cord in place and make sure it's secure as you pull the knot tight.
Repeat the same knotting pattern until you reach the bottom loop of the center cords. Be sure to end on a cobra knot.
Step 7: Finish off the snake
Cut off the extra cord, close to the last knot.
Melt the ends of the cord for approximately 2 to 3 seconds, then press the lighter against them to flatten the ends and keep the knots in place.
Use glue tape, or a stronger glue (see more information below!), to attach googly eyes to the snake.