Sailor’s cross knot

In this tutorial we take a look at the sailor’s cross knot.

This is another great way to make a paracord cross. This design is quite popular and I have been tempted for a long time to try it. I have already shown a tutorial on making a paracord cross in the past, but I was quite pleased with the look of this one, so I wanted to make a tutorial on how to tie it. This knot was popularized by Don Burrhus.

Although this project may seem complicated, once you try it, you will see that it only takes about 5-10 minutes to make. Still, it may be intimidating at the start, but keep at it and you will tie it!

For those familiar with turks head knots this project will be even easier!

So, let’s begin with the basic supplies for this project.

Supplies needed

You will need these few items:

Supplies needed for the sailor’s cross. 5 feet of paracord, a cross-shaped mandrel and a lacing needle

Now let’s move on to tying this knot.

Sailor’s knot tutorial

Attach your cord to the mandrel.

Wrap around the bottom part of the cross once.

Then around the left part.

Wrap around the top part.

And around the right part.

Go under the standing end.

Under again at the back.

Another look at going under at the back.

And under again, this time at the top of the bottom part.

Wrap under and to the right side.

Now go paralel to the standing end, under the first cord.

Under the second cord.

Flip the cross around. Take your cord and wrap around the left part.

Under the previous cord.

And over the working end.

Wrap around the top.

Again go under the cord of the previous pass.

And over the working end.

Now wrap around the right part.

And again under the cord of the previous pass.

Over the working end and under the next cord.

From now on, go paralel to the cords on the left and right in an over-under sequence until you reach the bottom.

So over the next cord.

And under the next.

Then over.

And finally under. We now exit the knot at the bottom.

The standing end and working end are now together.

Now double up the knot by following the standing end with your working end.

When you reach your standing end again, the knot is doubled.

Bonus- making a loop for a keychain or lanyard

Now if you wanted to make this knot into a keychain/lanyard or use it in some practical way, you would need to form a loop at the top.

This is how I do it:

The knot now looks something like this. One cord is facing up, one down.

The cord facing down (standing end) is worked into the hole where the dowel rod was before.

The top cord is worked through the center of the knot.

And out the top, where the dowel rod was before.

Then back in through the same hole (must resist puns here. It is not easy.).

And out the bottom where the standing end exits. Voila, loop achieved!

So ladies and gentlemen, enjoy this wonderful knot and remember what it stands for!

Oh, and there is also a video tutorial for your viewing pleasure: