Paracord Zipper Pull

This zipper pull is easy to make and useful for several reasons:

• Replace a broken zipper pull
• Make it easier to zip your jacket whilst wearing gloves
• Keep an extra piece of useful cord around in case you need it

What you'll need:

• Paracord in a color and length of your choice (14 inches / 36 cm is a good starting point)
• Scissors
• Lobster claw swivel clasp
• Lighter (or candle)

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Cut a length of cord and fold it in half. Thread the loose ends through the closed ring of the clasp and then back through the loop of paracord and pull tight.

Position the cord/clasp in your hands as depicted in the first photo here: with the clasp facing down and the two strands of paracord extending up through your hands. Coil the left strand's tail across the two strands so it extends perpendicularly to the right.

Wrap the right strand over the left tail (second photo), then coil it behind the center two strands and thread the tail through the loop created by the left strand (third and fourth photos).

Pull the stitch tight. It is at this point in your project that you establish the overall length of the zipper pull-- closer to the clasp will make a shorter one, and further away will make it longer. It's really up to you but I tend to like to make the first stitch about two inches from the clasp.

To move on to the next stitch, coil the right tail in front of the center column, then wrap the left tail in front of the right tail before coiling it behind the center column and threading it through the loop to the right. Pull to tighten this second stitch against the first.

You've got the basics, now just alternate stiches one and two! Begin with the left strand crossing in front of the project, then capture the tail with the right strand as it travels in front of it and then behind the project and out the left's loop.

Continue repeating stitches until you reach the clasp. Pull the last stitch extra tight and then trim off the excess paracord.

Using a lighter or candle, singe the ends of the paracord to prevent it from fraying. This also bulges the ends just a bit so that they are less likely to come unraveled. Don't burn it so much that the end melts to another part of the cord, unless you want the connection to be permanent. Be careful to let the ends cool completely without touching anything (the table, your skin) because it stays hot for longer than you might think, and can burn you and your work surface.

Clip one of these onto every jacket and enjoy! Now when you need a piece of cord, you've got it handy, and in the meantime you don't have to take off your gloves to zip up or down! Thanks for checking out my Instructable and I'd love to see your zipper pulls in the comments section below!