PARA:MONO by ei studio

para:mono guide

welcome to the para:mono knotting lab. tangle your way into creativity.

this guide is here to show you a few knots to get started. follow them, remix them, or invent your own. no rules, no wrongs. just you, some rope, and a lot of curiosity.

the cobra knot

difficulty | ●●●●○
style | flat, bold, classic
placement | main body structure or statement wrap

known for its strength, this is a go-to knot for survival gear. but here, it’s reworked into something softer.

step 1: Take rope 1 (the base color) and fold it in half. Loop it through the carabiner to create two straight hanging strands. This will be your anchor and center.

step 2: Grab rope 2 (the weaving color). Slide it under both base strands, leaving equal lengths on each side. Now you have two working ends: a (left) and b (right). Take end a, cross it over the base strands and under end b, forming a loop.

step 3: Take end b, bring it behind the base strands, and out through the loop on the right. Pull both ends to tighten the knot against the carabiner.

step 4: Take strand b, pass it behind the center strands and over a. Keep it loose so it forms a loop on the right. Then take end b over the base strands and through the loop created using a. Pull tight. That’s your first cobra knot.

step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4, alternating sides each time. As you go, the pattern builds down into a tight woven column.

tip: keep your knots even and snug for a clean finish.

the curling millipede

difficulty | ●●●●○
style | layered, curling, rhythmic
placement | accent details, off-center tails, or dynamic wraps

this one spirals naturally as you go—chunky, weird, and strangely satisfying.

step 1: Take rope 1 (the base color), fold it in half, and loop it through the carabiner. Let the two ends hang straight down, these are your center strands.

step 2: Grab rope 2 (the weaving color). Slide it under both base strands, leaving equal lengths on each side. Now you have two working ends: a (left) and b (right). Take end a, bring it over the base strands toward the left, then curve it back to the right and then to the left again. This should create a soft S-shape in front of the base cords. Hold a in place to keep the shape.

tip: imagine drawing the bottom half of an alphabet “s”, this motion sets up the twist.

step 3: Take end b and pass it over the entire S-shape and over the center strands.

step 4: Still holding strand b, pass it behind the center strands and through the S-shaped loop created by a. Keep it loose at first, then slowly pull everything tight to finish the knot.

Repeat the same motion again from steps 2 to 4, always starting with a. As you go, the knot will begin to curl and form a twisted rhythm down the center.

step 5: As the knots build, the pattern forms a curling, sculptural column.

tip: keep your tension consistent to let the spiral develop evenly.

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