Alexei Volkov
Crafting plastic string keychains is a fun and creative activity with a practical purpose. Also known as boondoggle lanyards, these keychains are made by weaving together colourful plastic laces. The process is simple yet meditative, offering a therapeutic escape for craft enthusiasts. With an array of vibrant colours and intricate patterns, each keychain becomes a personalised work of art. This DIY project is a great way to keep hands busy and foster creativity, especially for kids and teenagers. With the addition of hooks and rings, individuals can transform their artistic endeavours into functional accessories, adding a unique touch to their everyday items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic lace cord, plastic lacing cord, elastic string, acrylic alphabet beads |
| Tools | Scissors, pliers |
| Techniques | Weaving, basic 2-strand weaves, square weaves |
| Difficulty | Easy for kids and teenagers with some help |
| Benefits | Creative expression, purposeful utility, therapeutic |
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What You'll Learn
Start with a basic 2-strand weave
To start with a basic 2-strand weave, you'll need to gather your materials. For this project, you will need plastic lace cord, scissors, and pliers. You will also need key chain rings, snap clips, and lobster clips, which can be purchased separately or as part of a kit.
Once you have your materials, you can begin the 2-strand weave. This is the foundation of your keychain and the first step in the process of making a boondoggle lanyard keychain. The square shape is a good, simple shape to start with.
To begin, cut two strands of plastic cord to the desired length. The length will depend on your preference and the purpose of your keychain. For example, if you plan to use it as a zipper pull, you may want a shorter length. Once you have your strands cut, you can tape them down to a stable surface to keep them in place while you work.
Take the right strand and place it over the left strand, forming an 'X' shape. Then, take the left strand and bring it under and around the right strand, feeding it back through the loop created by the 'X' shape. Pull the left strand tight to form a knot. Repeat this process, starting with the left strand and continuing until you have reached the desired length for your keychain.
This 2-strand weave is a simple technique that can be the basis for a variety of plastic string keychains. With practice, you can experiment with different colours, patterns, and shapes to create intricate and personalized designs.
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Use scissors and pliers
To make plastic string keychains, you will need a few things, including scissors and pliers. First, take a shrinky dink sheet and lay it on a flat surface with the frosted side up. This side is the rougher side that feels like it has been sanded down, and it is the side you will draw on. Using a permanent marker, start drawing your desired designs, keeping them fairly large as they will shrink when baked. Remember to leave some space at the top of your drawings for a hole punch. Try not to go over the same spot when colouring, as the plastic may not be as smooth when it finishes shrinking. Let your designs dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Once your designs are dry, take a pair of scissors and cut around each drawing, leaving a small amount of space between the drawing and the edge of the paper. Be sure to leave space for the hole punch, and cut with clean, round lines. Preheat your oven to 375℉ or 190℃ and place a piece of parchment paper over a baking tray. Put your cut-out pieces on the paper with the frosted side facing up, and make sure they are evenly spaced. When the oven is ready, place the tray inside and bake for around 1-3 minutes. You will see the pieces start to shrivel up and then flatten back down. Once they have flattened, take them out of the oven and let them cool.
Now it's time to assemble your keychain. Get your jump rings, split rings, and needle-nose pliers ready. Take a jump ring and use the pliers to pull it apart where the ring encircles. Pull the two sides far enough apart so that it can go through your plastic piece. Place the jump ring through the hole in your plastic piece, and use the pliers to clasp the jump ring back together securely. Finally, take a split ring and attach your plastic piece by putting the jump ring into the split ring. You can add multiple plastic pieces to one split ring if desired.
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Choose vibrant colours
The fun part about making plastic string keychains is choosing the colours. Opting for vibrant colours will make your keychains stand out and look more attractive. You can choose from a wide range of colours, such as red, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and orange.
To make your keychain more interesting, consider using a combination of colours. For example, you can use two or three different colours in your design. Alternatively, you can create a pattern with your colours, such as a stripe or checkerboard pattern.
Another way to add visual interest is to use different shades of the same colour. For example, you can use light blue, medium blue, and dark blue together. This will create a sense of depth and make your keychain more visually appealing.
If you want to make your keychain even more unique, you can try using glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent colours. These colours will make your keychain stand out in the dark and can be especially useful if you're using your keychain for functionality rather than just decoration.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different colour combinations. You can try out different colours to see which ones you like the best and which ones work well together. Making plastic string keychains is a creative process, so let your imagination run wild!
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Learn the square
To begin crafting your own plastic string keychains, you'll want to start with the basic two-strand weaves. The square is a good first step to teach beginners. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started on mastering the square:
To start, cut two strands of plastic cord to the desired length. You will want to ensure that the two strands are of equal length. The length you choose will depend on your preference, but a good rule of thumb is to cut the cord about three times the desired length of your finished keychain. This will give you enough length to work with and allow for some shrinkage as you weave the strands together.
Once you have your two strands, fold each one in half, creating a small loop at one end. Take the other end of one of the strands and thread it through the loop of the other strand. Pull it tight to form a knot, ensuring that the two strands are securely attached to each other. You now have the base of your square.
Now, take the strand on the right and bring it over the center strands and under the strand on the left. Release the tension on the strands slightly to allow the weave to shift and create a small gap between the two center strands. Take the same strand and carefully pass it through this gap from the bottom, bringing it back up to the front. You have now completed one side of the square.
To finish the square, simply mirror the steps you just followed. Take the strand on the left and bring it over the center strands and under the strand on the right. Release the tension again to create a gap, and then pass the same strand through the gap from the bottom, bringing it back up. Now you should have a complete square.
You can continue this process to create a chain of squares, forming the base of your keychain. Once you've mastered the basic square, you can experiment with different colours, patterns, and even try more advanced weaves to create intricate and unique plastic string keychains.
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Add a lanyard hook
To add a lanyard hook to your plastic string keychains, you can purchase a kit that includes lanyard hooks. These kits are available on Amazon and include 31 plastic strings, 15 keychain rings, and 15 lanyard hooks. Alternatively, you can purchase a kit with 25 bundles of plastic string and 20 snap clip hooks and keyrings.
To install the lanyard hook, you will need a small pair of pliers. You can also use a pair of scissors to cut the plastic cord to your desired length.
The process of making plastic string keychains is a therapeutic craft that allows individuals to express their creativity and practice their fine motor skills. These keychains can be made in various colours and styles, such as glitter, neon, or opaque bright colours.
You can also use your plastic string keychains for other crafts, such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and backpack pulls.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need plastic laces, scissors, pliers, and lanyard hooks.
You can start by learning the basic two-strand weaves. The square weave is a good one to try first.
Making plastic string keychains is a fun and therapeutic craft that allows you to express your creativity. The keychains are also functional, as they can be used to organise and identify keys.
