How Do You Weave a Plastic Lanyard?
Plastic lanyard is also known as gimp. It is a flat, non-stretchable string material used to weave craft projects such as keychains. These keychains, zipper pulls and otherwise colorful decorations are known as boondoggles. The basic boondoggle stitch is known as the box stitch, and it involves two strands of lanyard.
Instructions
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1
Cut two pieces of lanyard that are each 2 feet in length. It is easiest if the pieces are different colors if this is your first time weaving plastic lace.
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2
Locate the middle of each strand, and lay the two pieces out flat on a table in front of you in an "X" shape, overlapping their exact centers. Call the end in the upper left hand corner "1," and the opposite end in the bottom right hand corner "2." Label the end in the upper right hand corner "3", and label the opposite end in the bottom left hand corner "4" mentally.
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3
Locate whichever strand is on the bottom of the "X" at the center, against the table. For this example, we will assume it is the strand with ends 1 and 2. Grab end 1, and pull it down to meet the other end of the same strand, end 2. Pull end 2 up to where end 1 originally was. Put a small piece of tape on the center of the "X" if it helps to keep the lanyard steady while you weave.
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4
Weave end 3 through the loop you just made with the other strand by pulling it over then under the lace as you match end 3 with end 4. Weave end 4 back through the lace, pulling over then under, until it is where end 3 used to be.
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5
Grab ends 1 and 3 in one hand, and grab ends 2 and 4 in your other hand. Pull the strands tightly in opposite directions to tighten the first stitch.
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6
Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the lanyard is of desired length. Tie a square knot with the loose lanyard ends, and cut the excess strands off.
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