How to make a Square Knot Military Lanyard

Lanyards of various colour combinations and braid patterns are commonly worn on the shoulders of Military Uniforms to show qualification or regimental affiliation. Most Regiments wear the lanyard on the left shoulder. Common lanyard material include, cord, rope or parachute cord.

The movie: We Were Soldiers, in the scene Col. Hal Moore ( Mel Gibson) delivered a speech before going into battle at Ia Drang Valley of South Vietnam. The Soldiers, in dress uniform had blue lanyards on their right shoulder.

In 1967 I learned to macrame. I learned many knots including the square knot. In 1973 I joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, were I learned drill, first aid, range, sports, leadership and how to make the Square Knot Military Lanyard.

How to put a Lanyard on a Dress Uniform:

1 - Pass the lanyard under the left strap and under the arm.

2 - Thread the cord through the eyelet and tighten under the arm.

3 - Open the pocket flap, loop the loose cord around the left breast pocket button, and then close the pocket flap.

May 2002, I was helping a Cadet Squadron get ready for an Annual Inspection, I made all the Square Knot Military Lanyards. Photo Below: Left Sgt L__ of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets helps Sgt. Y__ with her lanyard for the Inspection.

How to make a Square Knot Military Lanyard:

Instruction

I - Base - Cut about 60" of cord, tie the ends together, place the tied knot in the middle. See photo below.

2 - Start the Square Knot - cut about 140" of cord, in the middle of the 140" cord, place I" down from top of base, tie a half knot. See photo below.

3 - Square Knot - 1 - Bring the right cord over and to the left of two base cords. 2 - Place the left cord over the right cord. 3 - Bring the left cord under the base and thought the loop formed by the right cord. 4 - Pull and you have half of the Square Knot. 5 - Bring the left cord over and to the two base cords and place the right cord over it. 6 - Bring the right cord under the base and through the loop formed by the left cord. 7 - Pull the cords and you have finished Square Knot. You needed to make about 25 Square Knots. See photo below.

4 - End - At the end of the 25 Square Knots, wrap the remaining cord around the base cord 3 times and glue. See photo below.

5- Cut the Square Knot cord, not the base cord. See photo below.

604 Air Cadets Colour Guard - wearing white lanyards.

We Were Soldiers - Col. Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) speech - notice the blue lanyards.