How to Make Alligator Key Chains With Beads
An alligator key chain made from plastic pony beads looks realistic but won't chomp down on your keys. According to National Geographic, the alligator is a species that is more than 150 million years old and lived during the time of the dinosaurs. It managed to last all these years because of its opportunistic predatory instincts. Craft your own alligator key chain by depicting its distinctive long mouth and a thick tail. Use green beads of varying shades to capture the essence of this swamp dweller.
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Things You'll Need
- 9-foot clear plastic lacing
- 97 green pony beads
- 3 light-green pony beads
- Key chain ring
Instructions
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1
Fold your 9-foot clear plastic lacing in half to begin crafting your alligator. Thread two green beads through the lacing and onto the fold for the tip of the alligator's nose, which is also the first row. Thread three green beads onto one side of the plastic lacing to create the second row underneath the first row. Insert the other end of the lacing through those same three beads in the opposite direction to secure.
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2
Thread four green beads onto one side of the lacing for the third row and then push the other side of the lacing through those four beads in the opposite direction. The fourth row is the row with the alligator's eyes. Lace a pattern of one green bead, one light green bead, one green bead, one light green bead and one green bead with one side of the lacing. Thread the other end of the lacing through this fourth row in the opposite direction.
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3
Lace six beads with one side of the clear plastic lacing for the fifth row. Thread the other side of the lacing through these beads in the opposite direction. Continue lacing in this fashion. Row No. 6 has five beads and Row 7 has four beads.
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4
Form the left-front foot by threading four green beads on the clear plastic lacing on the left side. Insert the same lace back through the first bead on the left front foot to create a loop-style foot. Repeat this step for the right front foot.
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5
Thread five green beads onto one side of the lacing for the eighth row. Thread the other end of the lacing through these five beads in the opposite direction. For rows 9 through 13, thread five green beads with one side of the lacing and then insert the opposite end through the beads in the opposite direction.
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6
Craft the back-left foot threading four green beads on the clear plastic lacing on the left side. Insert the same lace back through the first bead on the left-front foot to create a loop-style foot. Repeat this step for the right-back foot.
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7
Thread four green beads for Row 14 like the other rows. Rows 15 through 18 have three green beads. Rows 19 through 21 has two green beads, and the last row has one bead. Tie the end in a double knot and tie it to a key chain ring.
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Tips & Warnings
This craft has 22 rows of beads to form a symmetrical alligator.
It helps to draw a diagram of your alligator first to form a pattern. Then count how many rows and beads you wish to use. Each bead is 6 by 9 millimeters.
Work on a flat surface to prevent your beads from rolling away.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
