Chloe Zhang
Plastic lace keychains are a fun craft that has been around for a long time. They are simple to make and can be made in a variety of styles and colours. To finish a plastic lace keychain, you can use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of the craft and fuse the plastic laces together. Alternatively, you can finish by weaving the laces and pulling them tight to form a knot, before trimming the ends to the desired length.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic lacing cord, plastic lace, key ring, scissors, pliers |
| Number of strands | 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 |
| Colors | 2 or 3 contrasting colors |
| Length | 3 feet or forearm length, with a 2:1 ratio between long and short strands |
| Technique | Weaving, twisting, braiding, tying, melting |
| Finishing | Avoid bulky knots, use pliers to attach lanyard hook |
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What You'll Learn
Use two or more colours of plastic lace for a better contrast
Plastic lacing crafts have been around for a long time, with names as colourful as their plastic pieces. One of the most popular crafts is a plastic lace keychain. To make a plastic lace keychain, you will need two or more colours of plastic lace, a small pair of scissors, and a small pair of pliers.
It is recommended that you use two or more colours of plastic lace for your first plastic lacing craft. This is because it will be easier to learn the pattern with multiple colours. The first step is to cut two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord. Then, place the cords in a plus sign pattern with one colour going right to left and the other going top to bottom.
Each time you fold your laces over, you should thread the others through them so that they are all holding each other's ends securely. After a few repetitions, you should be able to see the square shape of your lacing, with one side one colour and the other side the other colour.
To finish the keychain, repeat the pattern but keep the laces loose. Hold the keychain in one hand and take one of the lace ends. Wrap it around the lace next to it and bring it up through the centre. Repeat for all four laces and then pull to tighten. You can then use pliers to hook the lanyard on the end.
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Start with a basic two-strand weave
To start with a basic two-strand weave, cut two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord. Using two different colours can make learning the pattern easier. Place the cords in a plus sign pattern, with one colour going right to left and the other going top to bottom. Return the laces to the plus sign formation, this time with the keychain hanging in the centre. Take the bottom lace and place it over your thumb, then do the same with the top lace, tucking them loosely in place with your other fingers.
Next, take the left lace and place it over your thumb from left to right, then go over the first top-bottom lace and under the second top-bottom lace. Repeat this with the right lace, going in the opposite direction and keeping the left lace on the bottom and the right lace on the top. When crossing the laces, be sure to pay attention to the rows so as not to cross the pattern.
Repeat this pattern until you reach your desired length, remembering to leave about 4 inches of lace at the end so you can tie off the laces properly. To finish, repeat the pattern but this time, don't tighten the weave. Wrap each loose lace around the lace to its left, then weave it up through the centre of the laces. Repeat this for all four laces, then pull tight. Finally, use pliers to attach the lanyard hook.
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Avoid twisting the laces, keep them straight
When making a plastic lace keychain, it's important to keep the laces straight and untwisted for a smooth, neat finish. Here are some detailed instructions to help you avoid twisting the laces:
Firstly, start by finding the centre of each lace. You can do this by folding the laces in half. This will be the midpoint of your keychain. It is important to keep the laces flat and parallel at this stage, with no twisting.
Once you've found the centre, string or thread your keychain loop or accessory onto the laces. Position it at the midpoint, so it sits securely. Keep the laces crossed and perpendicular, forming an "X" or a plus sign. This initial setup is crucial for keeping the laces straight as you continue.
As you begin to weave, focus on maintaining the laces' straight orientation. It might be a bit tricky at first, but it will get easier. Each time you fold or weave the laces, ensure they remain flat and untwisted. Follow a consistent pattern, such as the basic box stitch or the square stitch, to create a neat, symmetrical design.
When crossing laces, pay attention to their position. Keep the left lace on the bottom and the right lace on the top, or vice versa, depending on your preferred pattern. Consistency is key to avoiding twists and creating a uniform design.
Finally, when finishing the keychain, avoid bulky knots. Instead, opt for a sleek finish by wrapping each loose lace around its neighbouring lace of the same colour and then weaving it up through the centre. Repeat this for all laces and pull tight for a secure finish.
By following these steps and paying close attention to keeping the laces straight and untwisted, you can create a polished and attractive plastic lace keychain.
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Melt the bottom of the craft to fuse the laces
To finish a plastic lace keychain, you can melt the bottom of the craft to fuse the laces. This method is a serious burn hazard and should only be performed by adults. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, ensure you have woven your laces to create your desired keychain. You can do this by following various patterns and techniques. A simple method involves creating a plus sign formation with two plastic laces of different colours. One lace should go right to left, and the other top to bottom. Then, take the bottom lace and place it over your thumb, followed by the top lace, going over and down your thumb. Use your other fingers to tuck them loosely in place.
Next, take the left lace and bring it up and over your thumb from left to right. Go over the first top-bottom lace and under the second. Repeat this step with the right lace, ensuring you pay attention to the rows to maintain the pattern. Continue this pattern until you reach your desired length, leaving about 4 inches of lace at the end to tie off the laces.
Now, you can melt the bottom of your craft to fuse the laces. Use a flame to carefully melt the plastic laces together. This method requires patience and caution to avoid any accidents. Ensure you are in a well-ventilated area and have a fire extinguisher or water nearby in case of any mishaps.
Finally, attach a keychain or lanyard hook to the fused end of your craft. You can use pliers to securely attach the hardware to your keychain. With this final step, you have completed your plastic lace keychain!
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Coat the knot with clear nail polish to keep it in place
Once you've trimmed the loose ends of your plastic lace keychain to your desired length, you can coat the knot with clear nail polish to keep it in place. This step is optional but recommended to ensure the longevity of your keychain.
To do this, simply apply a small amount of clear nail polish to a thin brush or directly onto the knot. Use a gentle touch to avoid getting nail polish on the rest of the keychain. You can also use a toothpick or similar tool to carefully apply the nail polish to the knot.
Make sure to coat all sides of the knot evenly. Allow the nail polish to dry completely before handling the keychain. It usually takes a few minutes for the nail polish to dry, but you can refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more accurate drying times.
By coating the knot with clear nail polish, you're adding an extra layer of protection that will help keep the knot tight and secure. This will prevent the knot from coming loose over time, ensuring that your plastic lace keychain remains intact.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut 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.
Take the bottom lace and fold one end over the top of the plus sign, above the centre, then do the same with the other but below the centre.
Take the other strand and place it over and then under the first strand, repeat with the other end, over and then under the other side.
Weave just like each other time, but don't tighten. Wrap each end around the same colour lace next to it, then poke up into the centre. Pull the ends to tighten the knot and trim the ends to the length that you want.
Yes, instead of a bulky knot, you can do one last weave without pulling it tight. Then take each loose lace and wrap it around the lace to its left and then weave it up through the centre of the laces. Repeat for all four laces and then pull tight. Finally, use pliers to hook the lanyard on the end.
