Tying the knot ...

    No not that knot !!!  That ones been tied for years (although a slip knot
would have been nice at times).  The knot I am talking about is the cobra
knot, the king cobra knot etc. that are used in the forming of craft items with
paracord.  Of course as my wife has stated thirty two bazillion times "It is
nothing more than a macrame knot" .  Well guess what , I never made rope
owls and crafty things in girl scouts so to me it's a new knot !
     Paracord is the new 'in' craft item in the outdoor world.  I have always
carried several fifty foot pieces and several smaller pieces in my pack for
camping and such.  Very light , strong and flexible.  Who would have thought
that that O.D. green rope off of a soldiers parachute would end up being
used to make bracelets and such.  My personal interest in the craft came about
because on a need for a specific  length sling for a rustic shotgun I am making
to carry on the bike. Being a gun from the early forties, the newer fancy slings
just don't match and since I shortened the gun considerably normal adjustable
slings are almost doubled when installed at this length.  So after seeing some
homemade slings on survival rifles on the Bushcraft channels I frequent on
You Tube, I decided Why not ?  I can tie a knot.  Well I can learn anyway.
    My first attempt took all day, mostly because I would do one step, check the
video, pause, do another, check the video, pause, take out the last two rows,
check the video, pause , then do it the right way. Finished product came out
OK .. a couple mistakes here and there but nothing really noticeable so I was
pleased.  Trouble is now I had the itch.  What else could I  make with this
wonderful new talent of mine?  My fingers starting flying!  I made another
different style sling for another shotgun with a double wrap pattern. 
I turned out zipper pulls for my backpack with multi-color cord.  I even made
a ten inch key ring fob that I have always made fun of people for carrying,
that matched my sling.  I was a knot tying demon !  By the way, It turns out
that this is great therapy for stiff arthritic fingers.  I guess I'll be perusing E-Bay
for different colors of cord for new projects because I found out You Tube is
absolutely loaded with Ideas and different methods and patterns. 
Just what I needed, Another time consuming hobby !!