KnotWorx

Key Fobs

Key fobs are one of my favourite things to make. They are useful and there are a few different 'twists' I can introduce to them. (Pun definitely intended)

Typically I make them either to keep in your pocket, but some can be hung off a belt, or hung in a bag or m/purse. If you plan on having one made to go in a bag, you can choose to either leave it loose, or hang from a clip or hook (if one is available).

Again, with paracord, there are countless colors and patterns to choose from, as well as a few solid colors. I can also use a straight polyester cord that is not paracord, but a braided one.

An important step when braiding key fobs is to always try to tighten each knot as tight as you can, and
to also be consistent with each knot.

Blackberry and Neon Purple loops with Lanyard knots. Galaxy braiding for a hand-width. A belt through the larger loop would make this fob just right to hang in a pocket.

Neon Pink with Black and Blackberry strands. The Wall knot in the middle fits well in your hand. A Lanyard knot at the ring end end, and tails are whipped, but will fray slightly.Another Wall knot acts as a stopper on the tail end.
The profile is round. Note the spiral pattern reverses at the middle Wall knot.

Beginning with a 2-strand Diamond knot at the ring end (2 strands doubled), a Square knot is braided for a hand-width. Two Wall knots finish the braid, then the 4 tails are trimmed and whipped to prevent fraying.
The profile is round because the braiding was done in the same direction for each knot.
Patterns are Galaxy and Birthday.

A new development. 2 colors fused with Lanyard knot at each end (~ 2' each). Then Cobra braiding also of 2 strands (~ 4' each) fused. The reverse is yellow bordered by blue. Ends are back-braided and trimmed tight. The 2nd loop allows the fob to hang on a wall hook or in a bag.
These colors are representative of Ukraine: Canary Yellow and Colonial Blue from my source.

Standard Cobra braid but with a Lanyard Knot at the ring end. Single strand about 5' to begin.

Another 3-color fob with Lanyard knots. Each end is a different color, with all 4 ends fused in the middle. The 3rd strand is braided around this using a Cobra knot, hiding the fusion point.

A 3-color fob with Lanyard knots & loops at each end. Cobra knot completes the fob. The empty loop can be hooked from a carabiner in a belt loop, or hung in a m/purse.

Wrist fob Galaxy featuring Cross Knot at the loop and Cobra braid.

A Cross knot forms a loop at each end. Cobra braid around the core.

A 2-color wrist fob with Double-coin knots. 4-strand flat braid is comfortable on the wrist.

A 2-strand core fused in the middle, adorned with a double coin knot at each end. Then wrapped in Cobra knots. A ring at each end can hold keys, or one can be removed and the fob attached to a belt.

A single strand of Burgundy begins a Turk's Head tightened up with one end knotted inside. The rest of the cord was folded to make a short bend (loop) about 4 1/2". The rest was used to create a Spiral braid to finish it up.

Square braid around a core with Lanyard knots at each end. This one has a square profile.

The core Dark Stripes has a Lanyard knot at each end, but I've braided around one end using a Square braid. Usually I stop this braiding at the bottom Lanyard knot, but this time I decided to braid over it with Dragon Fly. Finished with a Wall and Crown, leaving the 4 tails.

A new braid I developed called Overhand. Braided around a core.

This includes a Lanyard knot' at each end - a new one for me. The additional loop can hold another key ring or be used to hang from a belt.

A chunky fob designed more for emergencies. With 4 strands about 5' long, it can be 'unbraided' and used for several things such as

shoelaces
moor a canoe or small boat
fasten a tent down
camera or rifle strap
tie up stuff in a bag
? [fill in the blank]

A new design based on the Crown knot. This may look similar to other Crown knot fobs, but it is braided around a single 3 1/2" length of insulated 240 watt power cable. This adds additional stiffness.

A Crown knot then Wall knot starts the fob around the ring, followed by addtional Crown knots around the core. Finished with a Wall and Crown knot.

The profile is round because the braiding was done in the same direction (clockwise in this case, but could have been counter-clockwise).

When each knot is done alternately (clockwise, then counter-clockwise), the profile becomes square.

A new design based on the Crown knot. This one is 3 colors, so 3 strands. But the 2 yellow strands were treated as 1 in the creation process. This led to the rectangular profile rather than the typical square profile normally found with crown knots.
About 4 1/2" long.

This one is meant to hang from a clip on a belt.
Note that the fob is square, and opposite sides show a different pattern. These fobs are made from 2 paracord strands, folded in half. So 2 colors or patterns are available.

Another square fob, but this one is meant to be just thrown in your bag or m/purse.
The square shape and size (about 4" long and 1/2" thick) make it easy to find. It is also quite rigid and fits in your hand nicely.

Square knot braid. The round wooden ball at the end helps in finding it.

Square knot with a wooden bead. A 'shortie'.

Square knot braid with a wooden toggle.

Square knot but made with 2 flat laces (~1/4" wide) instead of paracord.

Square knot braid - with a bolt snap clip and wooden toggle.

The Convertible. Note the transtion from a square profile to a round profile. Both done with a Crown knot.
This one has a core strand with 2 strands braided around it.

Crown knot but done in such a way to produce a round profile, instead of square.

The Twist. Done with a single paracord strand with a Spiral braid.

A braid called Endless Falls

Wall Sinnet braid. Made with 1 strand of paracord, and finished with a wooden Parka button for easy location in a purse or bag.

Crown knots. Made with 2 strands of paracord using 1 strand for the loop. Note the square knot at the loop as a Lanyard knot.

Wall Sinnet braid. Made using 1 strand.

Another Wall Sinnet braid (Birthday Cake). 1 strand, finished with 2 wooden beads.

Crown knot braid. 2 strands (Norwich), finished with 3 Crown knots.

Three Crown knots.

3-strand Wall knot. Finished with a Crown knot and tails.

The tails.

A colorful, chunky fob made of 4 x 4' strands, doubled. Braiding with 8 strands was a landmark. It is about 2cm (1") in profile. At the ring end it starts out with a square profile, but then morphs to a round profile. This is done using the same Crown knot, but accomplished slightly different.

The round profile at the tail end. A Crown knot ends the braid, with the 8 tails bundled with a pair of Constrictor knots of thinner material.

The square profile at the ring end.

The morph.

A new development. 3 strands: 2 Jamaican & 1 Rosa Noche. Starting at the ring end, a simple clockwise Wall knot. About halfway I switched to counter-clockwise. Finished with a Crown knot with tails bundled via Constrictor knot. The Jamaican strand is simply middled around the ring. The single Rosa Noche strand is wrapped around the ring overlapping the length of the braid, acting as a core. About 3' of one and 2.5' of the other.

The beginning with clockwise Wall knots.

The end with counter-clockwise Wall knots.

3-strand, 2-color. Rainbow x 1, Acid Purple Diamonds x 2. Clockwise Wall knots finished as previous.

The beginning, clockwise Wall knots.

The finished end, with Crown knot and tails.

3-strand, 2 colors - 1 x Birthday Cake, 2 x Sneaky Pink, with tails.

3 strands, 2 colors, made with a lace material, not paracord.

3 strands, 2 colors - Stryper x 2 & Norwich x 1.

5 strands, 3 colors (2 doubled, 1 single). Crown knot finish, round profile with tails.

Imperial Red Diamonds
Purple Passion
Rosa Noche

3 strands, 2 colors - Black (doubled), White (single).
This particular braid results in a triangular profile, but can also be done as a round profile.

1 strand, 1 color. Several Crown knots.
Very flexible, unlike previous fobs.

5 strand, 3 colors (2 doubled, 1 single).
Imperial Red x 2; Norwich x 2; Jamaican x 1
Profile is a pentagon

Details

Wrist Fob - a key fob on your wrist. Easily fits an 8" wrist or bigger.

Details of the Wrist Fob.

Hefty 1" beast. 4 color, 8 strands (4 doubled).

A different material from paracord. Braided with no kernmantle the cords are about 3mm so smaller than normal. Profile is round about 3/8".

Detail of the ring end. Two strands doubled, 2 colors.

Tail end. 2 Crown knots with tails.

Six strand (3 colors doubled). Same material as previous. The direction of braiding was changed at the middle and the profile is round. Diameter is about 9/16".

Detail of the finish. The Crown knot almost disappears. Tails are free.

Some new fobs. Carabiners and a small clip. A stubby heftie, with six-strand multi-color around a core.

A new fob. 2 strands (doubled). Crown knot beginning, then at the middle, braid using only 3 strands - a key ring is placed on the 4th. After 3 knots, all 4 strands are again used. Finish with Wall and Crown, with tails.

Quick-release key fobs. This can be attached to a belt loop or carabiner; or hung in a m/purse. Two strands (doubled) 'Undead'. Note the slight difference in pattern: top has a round profile; bottom has a square profile.
Both made with Square knots but different braiding directions. Finished with Wall and Crown, and tails.

Another key fob to be worn around a wrist.

Here it is as it may be used.