The Perfect Plastic Length For A Lanyard Crafting Project

Lanyards are fun to make and can be used in a variety of ways, such as for securing keys, badges, or whistles. To make a lanyard, you will need two strands of plastic lacing, each about 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 meters) long. It is recommended to use two different colours, with a length of at least 18 inches or 46 cm, to create an interesting pattern. You can choose contrasting colours or experiment with multiple colours to create unique designs. The amount of plastic lacing you start with will depend on the desired length of your lanyard and the complexity of your chosen stitch or pattern.

Choose two colours of plastic lacing

When choosing two colours of plastic lacing for a lanyard, it is recommended that you choose contrasting colours to make the pattern stand out. You can choose from a wide variety of colours available at your local craft store or online.

The length of the lace pieces will depend on what you are making. For a lanyard that will be used as a keyring, the lace pieces should be at least 18 inches or 46 cm long. If you are making a bracelet, the length will depend on the size of the wrist.

Once you have your two pieces of different-coloured lace, you can start creating your pattern. Line up the lace pieces and then fold them in half, threading them through a keyring so it is centred on their lengths. Position the keyring so that one colour has the two ends running parallel to your thumb, and the other colour is running perpendicular.

You can then start making loops with the lace. Grab the lace on the left and make a loop, then take the other lace and make another loop. Put the first loop through the second loop and pull it tight. Keep repeating this pattern, and you can continue for as long as you want!

When you are happy with the length of your lanyard, you can finish it off by making the last loop slightly larger and then taking the non-looped end to make another loop. Tie the two loops together twice, and then you can either cut the loops or use them to secure a key ring.

Cut two strands of equal length

To make a lanyard, you'll want to start by cutting two strands of equal length. You can cut them as long as you'd like, but the length you choose will determine how much lanyard you'll get. For example, with thick craft lace, about 3 feet (1 metre) of lace will yield about 3 inches (7.6 centimetres) of lanyard. A lanyard for a keyring should be around 3 inches (8 centimetres), but you can make it longer if you'd like to wear it around your neck.

You'll want to choose two different colours, as this will make it easier to differentiate between the strands as you work. You can buy lanyard by the roll, but you can also get tons of colours in one package, along with the accessories you'll need to finish your lanyard.

Once you've cut your two strands, you'll need to find the centre of each strand. You can do this by folding the strand in half and making a small crease in the middle with your fingers. Now you're ready to start weaving!

Secure the strands with a clip or keyring

When making a lanyard, it is important to secure the strands with a clip or keyring to ensure that the lanyard is functional and durable. Here are some detailed steps to secure the strands effectively:

Firstly, cut two strands of your chosen material to equal lengths. The length of the strands will depend on the desired length of your lanyard and the thickness of the material. For context, with thick craft lace, about 3 feet (1 metre) of lace will yield around 3 inches (7.6 cm) of the lanyard. Place the two strands on your work station, arranging them in the shape of a plus sign. This will be the starting point for your lanyard.

To secure the strands, you can use a clip or a keyring. Take a clip or keyring and slip it onto one of the bottom strands, moving it towards the centre. It doesn't need to be exactly in the centre at this stage, as you can always adjust its position later. The purpose of the clip or keyring is to hold the strands in place while you work, making it easier to thread and braid. By securing the strands, you will be able to maintain better tension and create a neater finish.

Now, you can begin the braiding process. Using the bottom strand, create two loops by drawing it up and over the centre, ensuring the strands do not cross. Repeat this step with the other end of the bottom strand. You should now have two loops that resemble "rabbit ears". Take the top strand and weave it through these loops, then tug on the strands to tighten the stitch. Continue this loop-weave-tighten process until you are close to running out of lace. Remember to stop before you reach the end, as you may need some lace for a final stitch to secure the lanyard.

Once you are happy with the length of your lanyard, you can finish it off by tying the last loops together and then tying them again for extra security. At this stage, you can choose to cut the loops or use them to attach a key ring or clip, depending on your preference. If you are using a thread-based material, such as craft lace, you can also cut the ends close to the lanyard and carefully burn them with a match to secure them, or use glue for a neater finish.

By following these steps and securing the strands with a clip or keyring, you will be able to create a well-crafted lanyard that securely holds your keys, badges, or any other items you wish to attach to it.

Weave the strands together

To weave the strands of your lanyard together, you will need to cut two equal lengths of material. The length you choose is up to you, but keep in mind that with thick craft lace, about 3 feet (1 metre) of lace will yield about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of lanyard. You will also need to choose two different colours for your strands, as this will make it easier to work with them and create patterns.

Once you have your two strands, find their centres and lay them over each other to form a '+' sign. Hold the centres between your thumb and pointer finger. Loop both ends of the bottom strand over your thumb, then weave the ends of the top strand through the loops. Move your thumb and tighten the stitch.

To create a box stitch, loop one of the colours over the centre in opposite directions. Weave the other two strings over and under, going over an open end and under a closed loop. Pull tight. You can also try other stitches, such as the Chinese Staircase or the Cobra variation.

When you are finished, tie a granny knot using the two uppermost strands. A granny knot consists of two half-knots: cross the strands, wrap the top strand around the back strand, and then repeat this for the ends of the half-knot you've created. If you are using a thread-based material, such as craft lace, cut the ends close to the lanyard and burn them with a match or secure them with crazy glue.

Finish the lanyard with a knot or glue

To finish a lanyard, you can either use a knot or glue. If you are using a thread-based material, such as craft lace, simply cut the ends close to the lanyard and secure them with glue. You can also use a match or a lighter to carefully melt the ends of the lanyard. If you are using a gimp or boondoggle material, you will need to do a finishing stitch.

• Make one more stitch, but don't tighten it.
• Wrap a strand of one color around its same color on the opposite side.
• Bring the strand in your hand up through the middle of the stitch.
• Wrap another strand of the other color around its same color on the opposite side.
• Bring the strand in your hand up through the middle of the stitch again to create a small knot.
• Pull the knot tight enough so that it doesn't come undone, but not so tight that it bends or warps your lanyard.
• Cut any excess strands to your desired length.

If you are using a gimp or boondoggle material, you can also finish your lanyard with a granny knot. This 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.

• Cut the ends of the lanyard close to where you want the lanyard to finish.
• Apply a small amount of glue to the end of the lanyard.
• Hold the ends of the lanyard together for a few seconds to allow the glue to dry and secure the strands.

Frequently asked questions