Keychain Plastic Lace: Estimating Your Project Needs

Plastic lace keychains are a fun and simple craft that can be made and enjoyed by people of all ages. They are created by weaving together strands of plastic lace, also known as Rex lace, gimp, or lanyard lacing cord, to form intricate patterns and shapes. The amount of plastic lace required for a keychain will depend on the desired length and complexity of the design. On average, a keychain will require at least two strands of plastic lace, cut into equal pieces, to create a basic pattern. More intricate designs may require four or more strands, and it is recommended to use different colours to make the pattern easier to follow.

The length of plastic lace needed

The length of plastic lace required to make a keychain depends on the complexity of the design and the number of strands used. For a simple keychain, two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord are required. The length of each piece should be long enough to allow for comfortable crafting and the creation of the desired pattern.

When crafting with plastic lace, it is important to consider the reduction in length that occurs during the weaving process. The woven laces will typically end up being less than a quarter of their original length. Therefore, it is advisable to start with longer strands to ensure you have enough lace to work with and to account for any mistakes or adjustments that may be needed.

Additionally, the number of strands used can vary depending on the desired effect. Some designs may use one, two, four, or even eight strands of plastic lace, each contributing to the overall length required. It is recommended to use different coloured strands when working with multiple strands, as it makes it easier to distinguish between them and follow the pattern.

Overall, the length of plastic lace needed for a keychain can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the design, the number of strands used, the desired size and shape, and the individual's crafting skills. It is always advisable to start with longer strands to allow for flexibility and creativity during the crafting process.

How to cut and prepare the lace

While the exact amount of plastic lace required for a keychain is not clear, it is suggested that the woven laces will be less than a quarter of their original length. Therefore, it is important to start with enough lace. It is recommended to cut two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord, preferably in two different colours to make it easier to learn the pattern.

Now, for cutting and preparing the lace, follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your lace by washing it gently by hand with fabric detergent and lukewarm water. Then, lay it flat to dry before you start cutting and crafting. If your lace fabric has wrinkles, you can iron it on the lowest setting, working in sections until the wrinkles are gone. You can also lay a towel or cloth over the lace to protect it while ironing.

When cutting the lace, use sharp scissors to minimise fraying. Beaded lace requires extra care. For this, glue the backs of all threads that hold the beads in place and let them dry before cutting. Any glue that dries clear will work, but a lightweight glue will be easier to sew through.

Now, cut around the edges of the major design elements of the lace, instead of cutting straight across. For instance, if your lace has a floral pattern, cut around the petals, or if it has scalloping, cut just outside the scallops. Avoid cutting through the prominent design elements, or you might damage the lace.

Additionally, if you want to add a backing to your lace, you can do so by using a fabric or interface backing to make it stiffer and more 3D. A backing can also help protect fragile lace. You can choose a backing fabric that either matches or contrasts with the colour of your lace.

Tying a basic knot

To make a keychain, you will need one or two strands of plastic lacing cord, also called Rexlace or lanyard lacing cord. For your first time, cut two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord in two different colours. This way, you will learn the pattern more easily.

Now, for tying a basic knot, follow these steps:

Step 1: Form a Plus Sign

Place the cords in a plus sign pattern with one colour going right to left and the other going top to bottom. Pick up the plus sign and the keyring in one hand, placing your thumb on top of the crossed part.

Step 2: Thread the Laces

Take one end of each lace strand and thread it through the keychain loop. Return the laces to the plus sign formation, with the keychain hanging in the centre.

Step 3: Tuck and Weave

Take the bottom lace and tuck it over your thumb, then take the top lace and bring it over and down your thumb. Tuck them loosely in place, using your other fingers. Now, take the left lace and bring it up and over your thumb from left to right. Then, go over the first top-bottom lace and under the second top-bottom lace. Repeat this step with the right lace, going over the thumb from right to left, and then over the first and under the second top-bottom lace. Ensure that you pay attention to the rows when crossing the laces.

Step 4: Final Adjustments

Gently tug on each end until it feels snug but not too tight. Pull the ends firmly now that you have started. You can also use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of your craft to fuse the plastic laces together. Alternatively, apply a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end.

Some other types of basic knots that you can use for keychains include the double fisherman's knot, the double sheet bend (or double becket hitch), the poacher's knot, and the box knot.

Different keychain patterns

The amount of plastic lace required to make a keychain varies depending on the pattern and design. The woven laces will be less than a quarter of their original length, so it is recommended to start with enough lace, keeping in mind that the final product will be shorter.

The Basic Weave

Start by cutting two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord in two different colours. Place the cords in a plus sign pattern, with one colour going right to left and the other going top to bottom. Pick up the plus sign and the keyring, placing your thumb on top of the crossed part. Take one end of each lace strand and thread it through the keychain loop. Return the laces to the plus sign formation, with the keychain hanging in the centre. Take the bottom lace up and over your thumb, then bring the top lace over and down your thumb. Tuck them loosely in place using your other fingers. Take the left lace and bring it up and over your thumb from left to right, going over the first top-bottom lace and under the second top-bottom lace. Repeat with the right lace, going over the first top-bottom lace and under the second. Continue this pattern, paying attention to the rows when crossing the laces to maintain the pattern.

The Spiral Rectangle

Using three different colours of plastic lace, cut the two colours that will run parallel to each other to the length of your forearm. Cut the third colour, which will be your longer strand, to twice the length of the shorter strands. Place them through the centre of your key ring and fold them in half so the key ring is in the centre. Place your thumb on top of the key ring to hold it in place. Cross the four shorter strands over your thumb, alternating directions. Take the longer strand and weave it through the shorter strands in an over-under pattern. It should go over the free end of the plastic lace and then under the closed loop caused by the strand coming up from below. Repeat this in both directions. Once the base is loosely completed, grab all six strands and pull tight. Cross the first strand diagonally, rotating the keychain. Cross all four short strands over the top diagonally, maintaining an alternating pattern with the closed loops and loose ends. No two strands next to each other should go in the same direction. Continue this pattern until you are happy with the size of your keychain.

The Zipper Pull

Find the centre of each lace and thread the accessory (keychain) onto both laces until it is in the middle of the lengths of lacing. Cross the laces in an X at their centre point, under the accessory. Lay the laces flat, one over the other, keeping the ends parallel to each other. Avoid twisting the laces and gently tug on each end until it is snug but not too tight. You should be making square 'knots'. Pull the ends firmly and continue the pattern.

Finishing Touches

To finish off your keychain, you can repeat the pattern but keep the laces loose. Hold the keychain in one hand and take one of the lace ends, wrapping it around the lace next to it and bringing it up through the centre. Repeat this with all the laces until they are all coming up through the centre and pull to tighten. You can snip off the ends or leave about 2 inches, depending on your preference. You can also use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of your craft to fuse the plastic laces together. This method is a serious burn hazard and should only be done by adults.

Finishing the keychain

To finish off your plastic lace keychain, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide whether you want to attach a keyring or clasp to your keychain. If you do, thread the accessory onto both laces until it sits in the middle of the lacing. Cross the laces in an 'X' at their centre point, under the accessory, ensuring that the laces remain flat and untwisted. Gently tug on each end until it is snug, but not too tight, forming square 'knots'.

Now, pick up the 'X' and the keyring in one hand, with your thumb on top of the crossed part. Take one end of each lace strand and thread it through the keychain loop. Return the laces to the 'X' formation, with the keychain hanging in the centre. Take the bottom lace and place it over your thumb, followed by the top lace, which should go over and then down your thumb. Tuck them loosely in place with your other fingers.

Next, take the left lace and place it up and over your thumb from left to right, going over the first top-bottom lace and under the second. Repeat with the right lace, this time going from right to left, and going over the first top-bottom lace and under the second. When crossing the laces, be sure to pay attention to the rows, so that the left lace, for example, remains on the bottom if that is where it started.

To finish the keychain, repeat the pattern, but keep the laces loose this time. Holding the keychain in one hand, take one of the lace ends and wrap it around the lace next to it, bringing it up through the centre. Repeat this process with all four laces, pulling them tight through the centre. You can now snip off the ends, or leave about 2 inches, depending on your preference.

If you would like to add some extra security to your keychain, you can apply a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end. Alternatively, carefully melt the bottom of your craft with a flame to fuse the plastic laces together. This method is a serious burn hazard and should only be attempted by adults.

Frequently asked questions