How to Braid a Leather Key Chain

If you want a simple, yet stylish key chain to decorate your keys, you can make a braided leather key chain. Braided leather key chains are a unisex accessory, so a homemade one would be a gift that you could give to a man or a woman, depending on how the leather key chain is embellished. By making your own leather key chains, you can personalize them by choosing the exact colors you want.

Things You'll Need

• 1.5 mm thick leather cord
• Ruler
• Scissors
• 1.5 mm thick jewelry chain
• Wire cutters
• Key ring

Instructions

1. Cut eight pieces of 1.5 mm thick leather cord to 12 inches, and a piece of 1.5 mm thick jewelry chain to 12 inches, with a pair of wire cutters. Cut an additional two pieces of leather cord that are 5 inches long.

2. Line up all of the ends. Feed about ½-inch of the ends through a keyring, folding them over to create a loop around the ring. Be sure the cords and chain sit next to each other without overlapping. Hold the loop closed with one hand and tie them together right below the keyring with the 5-inch piece of cord. After you tie the knot, wrap the 5-inch piece of cord in a tight spiral down the bundle of leather cords, three or four times. Tie another knot at the bottom of the spiral and apply a thin layer of epoxy glue to the knots to reinforce them. Cut the excess length off the 5-inch piece.

3. Hook the keyring to a safety pin and anchor the safety pin to something stationary, like your jeans or the arm of your couch. This will make it easier to braid the leather.

4. Divide the leather cords into three groups of three, with the chain acting as one of the cords. Create a simple braid and make sure the groups of three cords lay as flat as possible. When you have about 3 inches left of cord and chain, tie and wrap the other 5-inch cord around the cords and chain the same way you did in Step 2. Now you have a braided leather key chain with fringe at the bottom.