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Paracord Bracelets

💰 £50–£200 ⏱ Ongoing 📊 Beginner

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What is it?

Paracord bracelets are woven survival bracelets made from parachute cord — the same lightweight, strong nylon cord used in parachute rigging. They are incredibly popular with outdoor enthusiasts, scouts, and teenagers, and they are extremely cheap and easy to make in bulk. A single bracelet costs approximately 50p in materials and can sell for £3–£5, giving you a profit margin of 600–900%. They are one of the most profitable craft fundraisers available.

What you need

  • Paracord in a variety of colours (buy in bulk online — 100m costs approximately £5)
  • Plastic side-release buckles (buy in bulk online — 50 buckles cost approximately £3)
  • Scissors
  • A lighter or matches to seal the cord ends
  • Optional: a paracord jig to make weaving faster and more consistent

Step-by-step plan

1
Watch a YouTube tutorial on how to tie a basic cobra knot paracord bracelet. It takes approximately 15–20 minutes to learn.
2
Cut a length of paracord approximately 3m long for a standard adult bracelet.
3
Thread the cord through the buckle and weave the cobra knot pattern along the length of the bracelet.
4
Seal the cord ends with a lighter to prevent fraying.
5
Make a range of colours and styles to appeal to different buyers.
6
Sell at school, at local markets, at sports events, and through social media. Price at £3–£5 per bracelet.

How to advertise it

  • Post photos of your bracelets on Instagram and TikTok
  • Sell at school during break and lunchtime
  • Set up a stall at local sports events and fetes
  • Offer custom colour combinations for an extra £1
  • Create a "buy 3 get 1 free" deal to encourage bulk purchases

Realistic earnings

If you make 50 bracelets at a cost of 50p each (£25 total) and sell them at £4 each, you raise £200 with a profit of £175. A dedicated bracelet-maker can produce 5–10 bracelets per hour.

Top tips

✅ Learn 3–4 different weave patterns to offer variety
✅ Offer personalised bracelets with initials or names for a premium price
✅ Make a display board to show off your range of colours and styles
✅ Sell at outdoor events where the "survival" theme of paracord is particularly appealing

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Using cheap, thin cord that breaks easily — invest in quality 550 paracord
⚠️ Not sealing the cord ends with a lighter — they will fray and unravel
⚠️ Making all your bracelets in the same colour — variety is key to maximising sales
⚠️ Pricing too low — £3 is the minimum; £5 is perfectly reasonable for a handmade item