Use the Monkey Paw Knot to Make a Holiday Ornament

A monkey paw knot is typically used to weigh down a rope, but it can also be a fun holiday ornament. Make these decorations as gifts for friends and family.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR HOMEMADE JIG

• Four 4-by-4-inch cardboard pieces
• Craft glue (optional: rubber bands)
• 4 chopsticks or pencils
• Tape
• Small screw (optional)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR MONKEY PAW

• 10-foot paracord in a holiday color (4 millimeters thick)
• Pingpong ball
• Clothespin

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A HOLIDAY ORNAMENT

STEP 1. Make a homemade jig. Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions. This will help with making the monkey paw ornament.

STEP 2. Clip about 3 inches of rope to one of the jig legs using a clothespin. This is your starting point.

STEP 3. Next, wrap the longer end of the rope clockwise around the outside of the jig legs six times.

STEP 4. Take the rope’s working end and cross it over the top of the pingpong ball going toward you. Next, thread the rope underneath the ball, going away from you. Repeat six times.

STEP 5. Rotate your jig clockwise 45 degrees. Thread the working end downward between the ball and the loops you’ve already created. Next, thread it through the bottom and pull it upward between the ball and loops on the opposite side. Repeat six times.

STEP 6. Carefully remove the paw from the jig to tighten. Starting with the last wrap, push the rope up toward the center. (This will form a loose loop.) Keep feeding your rope through your knot to tighten it by pulling each loop downward and up. Make sure none of your loops overlap.

STEP 7. Make a knot with the loose ends to form a bigger loop so the ornament can hang on your tree, door, etc.