How to Make a Gimp Lanyard Craft

Creating lanyards from plastic craft lace, or gimp as it’s sometimes called, is an easy craft for children to perform with their friends. It is a favorite arts and craft activity at camps. There are many complex stitches you can master to create intricate gimp lanyards, but the basic stitch is the box stitch, also called the square stitch. You must master the box stitch to create a nice-looking gimp lanyard.

Things You'll Need

• 2 long strands of plastic craft lace

Instructions

1. Find the center of the first strand of lace and wrap it twice around your index finger, creating two loops. Pull the second strand underneath the two loops created, until it reaches the center. Hold your finger out, horizontally, in front you. You will have a left strand, right strand, left loop and right loop.

2. Pass the right strand over the right loop and under the left loop, so that both strands are on the left side. Pass the original left strand over the left loop and under the right loop, opposite of the first strand. The left strand is now on the right, making it the right strand. The right strand in now on the left, making it the left strand.

3. Slowly slide the loops off your finger and pull all four strands tightly to create the first stitch.

4. Pass the right strand to the left side and bring the left strand over to the right, careful not to cross the strands. This step creates another two loops. Pass the top strand over the first loop and under the second loop. Do the same with the other bottom loop, passing it over the opposite first loop and under the second loop. The top strand is now the bottom strand and the bottom is the top. Pull the strands tight to create the first box stitch.

5. Repeat Step 4. Continue making box stitches until you’ve made the gimp lanyard as long as you want it.

6. Tie off the lanyard by creating one more box stitch, but do not pull this one tight. Wrap each strand around the strand of the same color and pull it through the middle of the stitch. All four strands will end up in the middle of the stitch. Pull all four tightly to seal the stitch. You can cut off any remaining gimp.

References

• Laneyards: Basic Square Stitch