How to Make a Monkey Fist Keychain with Paracord

Learn how to make a monkey instead of a keychain with paracord for a great handmade gift! This fun craft is perfect for older kids, especially teens. It would be a great gift for your teen to give to their friends or family.

We love giving handmade gifts at Christmas. Every child and parent offers a handmade gift for everyone. This is the highlight of the vacation! It instantly changes the situation of "what am I going to get for Christmas?" to "I can't wait for them to open the present they gave me." I love this emotional change when I think of others and not myself.

I kidnapped my 18 year old son to help me with this project. He is an experienced whip maker and 2020 Whip Cracker Grand Champion, check out his Instagram here. He works with paracord a lot when making his whip, so it's a very popular craft for him.

I received this paracord from StrapWorks in exchange for this post. Affiliate link included.

Strapworks contains paracord, belts, ties, hems and more! I knew a Paracord hook and key set would be perfect for a bunch of monkey keychains.

Sometimes it is difficult for older children to make crafts or handmade gifts. It's fun for this age. These keychains are great and there is skill involved in making them, but they come naturally.

They are also a great gift for men, sometimes hard to find. This beautiful keychain is perfect for clipping on keys or slipping into a backpack!

6 foot paracord in different colors

1/2" lighter metal quicker latch

marble

pair of scissors

Lights

Start by cutting the paracord 5.5 to 6 feet long. If you want to make a pendant, 6 feet is great, 5.5 feet is enough for a keychain.

Now start 6 inches from one side of the paracord and wrap the cord around your finger 3 times. Then hold the cable with two fingers as shown in the picture so that the cable moves towards the back of your hand.

Then close 3 loops, 3 more loops.

Using the last loop, pull the edge of the paracord through the center of the loops.

Now place the balloon inside the canopy ring.

Now wrap the paracord around the balloon 3 times.

Notice my son's "special" fingers? He's left-handed, so I was wondering if this lesson would confuse us. However, since he lost a finger on his right hand, he grabbed the rope just like me... so go for it!

You are now ready to draw to harden. Start at the end of the string and work your way to the other side of the paracord.

After going through the rope and tightening it as much as possible, repeat the process, recognizing the paracord on the marble.

Repeat the process for each color of paracord and create a batch of handmade gifts for friends and family!

Complete the keychain with a metal latch.

Slide the device onto each of the Monkey Fist Paracord strings.

Then wrap the paracord in a knot around the device and pull it tight. Then cut off the small edges with scissors and lighten the nylon side with a lighter. Let them cool down and voila!

Turn one into an adjustable necklace! It can be narrow, like a loose collar or collar.

This is! I still have plenty of paracord to make another monkey fist kitchen! Create something and share it on social media, then tag me so I can support you!