How to Make a Craft Lace Keychain
Craft lace is referred to by a number of names. Gimp, lanyard, rexlace, scoubidou and boondoggle are all names that have been applied to the thin, flat plastic rope used to create quirky keychains. Simple craft lace key chains may use only one color and method of braiding, while more complex key chains can use upwards of six colors and several braiding and knotting techniques. A cost-effective craft for children and adults alike, these braided masterpieces take practice, time and dexterity to master.
Instructions
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Select and cut 4 feet of two separate colors of craft lace, for a total of 8 feet of craft lace in two strands.
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Thread the two strands through the non-opening end of the swivel hook. Pull the strands until they are of even length on both sides, with the ends lining up.
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Secure a safety pin to your pant leg. You may also put the safety pin on an upholstered couch or chair. The idea is to create a secure attachment point to hold the craft lace as you braid. Clip the swivel hook to the safety pin.
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Arrange the craft lace so one side of a craft lace strand lays between the strands of the second color. For example, if you were creating a blue and red craft lace keychain, the strands would be arranged blue, red, blue and red.
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Select the strand that lays farthest to the right. Slide it under the two middle strands of craft lace.
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Wrap the selected strand of craft lace over the strand that lays in the left-center position. Using the example colors of blue and red, you would be taking the right red strand and sliding it under the center blue and red strands and laying it on top of the center red strand.
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Select the strand farthest to the left. Wrap it under the central strands and over the strand farthest to the right. In the example colors of blue and red, you would select the first blue strand, slide it under the intertwined red strands, and around and over the other blue strand.
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Repeat the wrapping and sliding process. The central strands will alternate between being two different colors and both the same color. Concentrate on which strands are going where and not the colors of the strands themselves. Continue braiding in this manner until the piece is 8 inches long.
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Hold the braid so you can see its end. Fan out the strands in the pattern of a cross. Grasp the top arm of the cross. Loop it over the right arm of the cross, loosely. Hold the bottom arm of the cross and loop it over the left arm of the cross. Bring the left arm of the cross over the loop created by the bottom arm of the cross and under the loop that was made from the top arm of the cross.
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Bring the right arm of the cross over the loop created by the top arm of the cross and under the loop formed from the bottom arm of the cross. Pull the strands away from each other slowly until a square shape begins to form. Do not pull the strands all the way.
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Unclasp the swivel hook from the safety pin. Slide the swivel hook through the square formed by the cross and loop square stitch.
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Slide the beginning portion of the craft lace braid through the square, so approximately 1 inch of braiding is between the loops.
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Pull the strands tightly, securing the braid between the square stitch. Make several more square stitches, working around the inch length of braid. Pull the strands so that the square fits snugly around the braid.
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Continue making square stitches for about 1/2 inch around the braid. Do not pull the strands snugly. Grasp any one of the strands and wrap it around the strand to the left. Push the strand you are working with through the center of the square.
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Grasp the strand to the left of the one you pushed through the center. Wrap this strand around the strand to its left and up through the center. Do the same for the remaining two strands. All of the strands should now stem from the center of the stitch. Pull the strands firmly to secure.
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Cut off the loose ends of craft lace to a desirable length to finish the craft lace keychain.
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References
- "Boondoggle;" Klutz; 1994
- "How To Make Scoubidous, Boondoggles, & Lanyards Too!;" Paige Krul Araujo; 2006
- "Craft Lacing Madness;" Francine Fittes; 2006
- " Scoubidou: A Book of Lanyard & Lacing;" Karen Phillips; 2007
Resources
- Photo Credit keys image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
