Ethan Clarke
Lanyards are fun and easy to make and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as securing keys, cell phones, badges, or whistles. They can also be personalised to make a thoughtful gift for a friend. To start crafting a plastic lanyard, cut two strands of equal length and find their centres. Overlay the two strands so that they form a plus sign. Secure the centre with a clip or keychain to make threading easier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supplies required | Low |
| Uses | Securing keys, cell phones, badges, whistles |
| First step | Cut two strands of equal length |
| Second step | Find the centre of each strand and overlay them to make a plus sign |
| Third step | Loop both ends of the bottom strand over your thumb and weave the ends of the top strand through the loops |
| Fourth step | Move your thumb and tighten the stitch |
| Fifth step | Tie a granny knot with the uppermost strands |
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What You'll Learn
Find the centre of each strand by folding them in half
To start crafting your plastic lanyard, you must first find the centre of each strand. This is a crucial step in ensuring your lanyard has a neat and tidy finish. Begin by taking each strand and folding it in half, bringing the ends together. You'll want to ensure that the ends meet evenly, creating a clear centre point. This process is the same for all strands, and it's important to take your time to ensure accuracy.
Once you've identified the centre of each strand, you'll want to hold them securely with your thumb and finger. This will help you keep track of the centre point and ensure you don't shift or lose it as you continue working. It's a good idea to keep your thumb and finger firmly in place until you're ready to move on to the next step.
Now that you've found and secured the centre of each strand, you can begin to overlay them. Place the two strands with their centres intersecting, forming a "+" sign on your work surface. This configuration will serve as the foundation of your lanyard. You may find it helpful to secure the strands at this point with a clip or keychain to make the threading process easier.
At this stage, you can gently slide the clip or keychain towards the centre of the "+" sign, adjusting the position as needed. Don't worry if it's not perfectly centred just yet, as you'll have the opportunity to refine its placement later on. The main goal here is to create a stable base for the upcoming steps of your lanyard-making process.
With the strands securely held at their centres and arranged in a "+" formation, you're ready to move on to the next steps of crafting your plastic lanyard. Remember, this initial stage of finding and marking the centre of each strand is essential for achieving a neat and professional-looking final product.
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Overlay the two strands to make a plus sign
To start a plastic lanyard, you will need two different colours of plastic lace, a keyring, and a pair of scissors. The first step is to cut two equal lengths of material. You can cut them as long as you like, but keep in mind that the length of the final product will depend on the thickness of the lace. Once you have your two pieces of lace, you will need to find the centre of each strand by folding them in half until the ends are even.
Now, you can overlay the two strands to make a plus sign. Place the two centres of the strands on top of each other, arranging them in the shape of a plus sign. You can secure the strands at the end with a clip or keychain to make it easier to thread. Slip it onto the bottom strand and gently move it towards the centre. It doesn't have to be exactly at the centre, as you can adjust it later.
At this point, you will hold the centres of the strands in place while you grab one end of the bottom strand and draw it up over the centre to create a large loop. Repeat this step with the other end of the bottom strand, creating two loops. Now, you will weave the ends of the top strand through these loops. Move your thumb and tighten the stitch.
You can continue this loop/weave/tighten process until you have reached your desired length. When you are finished, tie a granny knot using the two uppermost strands. A granny knot consists of two half knots: you will cross the strands, wrap the top strand around the back strand, and then repeat this step for the ends of the half knot you've created.
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Create loops with the bottom strand
To create loops with the bottom strand of your plastic lanyard, start by holding the centre of the two strands between your thumb and pointer finger, with the strands laying over each other like a plus sign. Using your other hand, grab one end of the bottom strand and draw it up and over the centre, creating a large loop. Hold one finger down on the centre of the stitch so that the two strands stay in place. Repeat this process with the other end of the bottom strand to create a second loop. You should now have two loops sitting on top of the centre point of the two strands.
Now, take the ends of the top strand and weave them through the loops. First, take the end of the top strand that is closest to the loop on the bottom strand that you want to tighten. Thread this end through the loop and pull it gently to tighten the stitch. Repeat this process with the other end of the top strand and the remaining loop.
You can adjust the tightness of the stitch by pulling on the ends of the top and bottom strands. If you find that your lanyard is too tight, you can loosen it by pulling on the ends of the strands in the opposite direction.
Once you have created your desired number of stitches, you can finish off your lanyard by tying a knot with the two uppermost strands. This will secure your lanyard and prevent it from unraveling.
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Weave the ends of the top strand through the loops
To weave the ends of the top strand through the loops, start by holding one finger down on the centre of the bottom strand for the entire first stitch so that the two strands stay in place. Then, use your other hand to grab one end of the top strand. Draw it towards the centre and weave it over the first loop it encounters and under the second loop. Repeat this process with the other end of the top strand. Make sure that you do not cross the strands as you draw up the loops. Simply ensure that they both loop over the finger that is holding down the centre.
Now, you can tug on the strands to tighten the stitch. You can repeat the loop/weave/tighten process until you almost run out of lace. Remember to stop before you completely run out of lace, as you may need to make a final stitch to secure the end.
To finish your lanyard, tie a knot using the two uppermost strands. A granny knot consists of two half knots: cross the strands, wrap your top strand around your back strand, and then repeat this for the ends of the half knot you've just created. You can also finish your lanyard by completing a finishing stitch. Weave each colour around the strand of the same colour next to it and then up through the weave into the centre of the square made by the four strands on that half of the keychain. Repeat this with every strand and then pull the knot tight. Once all strands come up through the top, pull tight. You should end up with two bunches of four strands sticking out from the top. While pulling the loose ends tight, push down on the knot so it doesn't form with extra lace between it and the top of the keychain weave. Finally, cut the extra length from the ends and coat the knot with glue or clear nail polish to help it set.
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Finish with a granny knot
To finish a plastic lanyard with a granny knot, you'll first need to tie a knot close to the end of your braid. This will involve using the two uppermost strands of your braid—cross these strands, then wrap one end around the other strand, and repeat this step for the ends of the half knot you've just created. Pull the knot tight enough so that the strands don't fall apart, but not so tight that it warps your lanyard.
If you're using a thread-based material, such as craft lace, cut the ends close to the knot and burn them with a match or secure them with glue. If you're using plastic or boondoggle material, you'll need to do a finishing stitch. Loosen the loops of your last stitch, then take one strand and pull it through the loop of the same-coloured strand on the opposite side, going under the same-colour strand and the different-coloured strand beneath it. Repeat this step for all four strands, pulling each strand tight, and then trim the strands to your desired length.
You can also finish a lanyard by making one more stitch and then wrapping each strand around the one closest to it. Keep these wraps loose so you can continue working with them. Finally, bring the strand in your hand up through the middle of the stitch to create a small knot. You can also use a lighter to melt the ends of your lanyard and seal the knot.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut two strands of plastic to equal lengths.
Find the centre of each strand by folding them in half. Place the two centres together and arrange the strands in a plus sign.
Loop both ends of the bottom strand over your thumb. Weave the ends of the top strand through the loops and tighten the stitch.
Tie a granny knot with the two uppermost strands. A granny knot is made by crossing the strands and then wrapping each strand around the other.
