Chloe Zhang
Plastic string weaving is a simple craft that can be used to make a variety of items, such as jewelry, keychains, lanyards, and decorations. It is a fun activity for all ages and can result in unique and personalized creations. The craft uses plastic lacing cords, which are flexible and come in various colours and sizes, to create different shapes and figures by twisting, braiding, and tying knots. With plastic string weaving, you can make anything from bracelets and necklaces to keychains and zipper pulls. The possibilities are endless, and it only takes a matter of minutes to learn the basics. This introduction will provide an overview of the materials needed and the steps to get started on your first plastic string weaving project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic string type | Flat strips or tubes |
| Plastic string material | PVC |
| Plastic string length | 80 cm |
| Plastic string width | 2.5 mm |
| Plastic string thickness | 0.2 mm |
| Number of strands | 1, 2, 4, or 8 |
| Techniques | Twisting, braiding, tying, cobra stitch, super cobra stitch, square stitch |
| Accessories | Clasps, keyrings, snap clip hooks, open rings, lobster clasps |
| Uses | Jewelry, keychains, zipper pulls, friendship bands, lanyards, decorations |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your plastic string
Plastic string weaving is a fun and simple craft with endless possibilities. You can twist, braid, and tie plastic strings into various shapes and items, such as jewellery, keychains, zipper pulls, and friendship bands. The first step to starting plastic string weaving is to choose your plastic string. Here are some factors to consider when making your selection:
Type of Plastic String
The most common type of plastic string used for weaving is flat lanyard or gimp thread, which comes in many colours. Another option is to use supple, round, and hollow plasticized PVC tubes. These tubes are about 80 centimetres in length and come in various colours, sizes, and types. They are ideal for creating tight and stable knots due to their elasticity and hollow structure.
Number of Strings
The number of plastic strings you choose will depend on the type of stitch or weave you want to create. Some basic stitches, like the square stitch, use two strands of gimp. More complex stitches, like the cobra stitch, involve using two strands tied around two other strands back and forth. The super cobra, or king cobra, is created by tying strands around the cobra itself, requiring even more strings.
Colour
Plastic strings come in a variety of colours, including bright glossy colours, glitter colours, and laser colours. You can choose to use a single colour or experiment with multiple colours to create interesting patterns and designs. Freely matching the colours can bring more creativity and attractiveness to your craft.
Length and Thickness
The length and thickness of the plastic string will depend on the scale of your project. For example, the Fandamei Lanyard String Kit offers plastic strings that are 5 metres long, with a width of 2.5mm and a thickness of 0.2mm. This length is ideal for crafting jewellery and decorations. If you are creating larger items or projects that require more string, you may need to purchase longer and thicker strings or multiple packs.
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Basic techniques
To begin plastic string weaving, you will need a few basic materials and tools. Firstly, you'll need a weaving loom, which can be purchased online in various sizes. You can also make your own loom by stretching strings across a rectangular frame. The warp thread is the thread that is strung over the loom vertically, providing tension while you weave.
Once you have your loom, you can start by tying the end of a length of string to the top left corner of the loom. Keep the string tight as you bring it straight down and loop it around the opposite notch at the bottom of the loom. Take the string back up to the top and loop it around the next notch. Repeat this process until you reach your desired width.
Now you're ready to start weaving! One basic technique is the 'Tabby' or 'Plain' weave. To do this, thread a long tapestry needle with your chosen string or yarn. Begin by feeding the pointed end of the needle through the warp strings, going over the first string, then under the second string. Continue alternating strings, going over and under, until you reach the end of your warp.
Another simple technique is the Rya Knot. Grab three strands of yarn and find the centre. Lay it above two strands of thread and feed the strands underneath on either side. Pull the yarn out, slide it towards the top, and bring it back down to tighten. You can add as many Rya Knots as you like to create a fringe effect.
For a more textured look, try the 'Basket' weave technique. Cut a length of yarn to approximate the number of rows you wish to create, then tie one end to one side of your warp. Weave the yarn over and under two warp strings at a time to create a raised, textured stitch.
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Weaving a square
To weave a square, you'll need to start by cutting two strands of plastic lacing. Each strand should be about 36 inches long. Using two different colours, such as yellow and blue or pink and blue, can make the process easier.
Once you've cut your strands, find the middle of each one and hold them together. Take one of the strands and wrap it around your finger twice. Then, take the other strand and put it under the first, finding the middle of that one as well. Take the closest side of the second string and put it over and under the first string. Do the same with the far end, then slip the strings off your finger and tug them tightly to the middle.
From here, you can continue weaving by taking the lacing on your right-hand side and folding it directly over, so both ends are going in the opposite direction. Then, take the top lacing and bring it down over the other lacings, weaving it by going over and under. Pull on all the lacings to tighten them and form a square knot. Keep weaving and tightening until you have a tightly woven square of your desired size.
If you want to go back to a square shape at any point, simply start folding and weaving straight across the square again. You can also apply a small amount of glue or carefully melt the plastic laces together to secure the shape.
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Different types of knots
Plastic string is widely used for crafting bracelets, necklaces, lanyards, key rings, key chains, and other DIY craft decorations. While weaving with plastic strings, knots are an important yet often underappreciated aspect. Knowing the right knot for the job is essential. Here are some commonly used knots for plastic string weaving:
Lark's Head Knot
The lark's head knot is commonly used to attach the apron strings to the apron rod of a floor loom. It is also used around the bar to attach the loom to its frame during 4-selvedge weaving. To create this knot, fold your yarn in half and place it under the dowel rod with the loop facing up. Then, bring the open end of the yarn up, around, and through the loop above the stick. Pull the yarn through the loop and adjust it to the desired position before tightening it.
Square Knot
The square knot is perhaps the most versatile and widely used knot in weaving. It is used in various ways, such as attaching the warp or scaffolding to a simple frame loom or the apron bar on a floor loom.
Overhand Knot
The overhand knot is a commonly used knot in weaving and other scenarios. It is often used to secure the fringe on scarves or rugs. Additionally, it can be employed when attaching grey thread to a weaving or bundling warp threads at the back of a floor loom.
Weaver's Knot
The weaver's knot is a valuable knot for climbers, sailors, and weavers. It is used to securely join two cords or to fasten one cord to a loom part. This knot is ideal when measuring the warp with a slack thread since it cannot be tied under tension. The weaver's knot is also useful for fixing broken warp threads, joining warp ends, or connecting weft ends when a stronger connection than a splice is required. It is designed to be untied to be undone, ensuring it doesn't come apart accidentally.
Fisherman's Knot
The fisherman's knot, also known as Jim's fisherman's knot, is taught by Jim Ahrens and is useful for tying very slippery threads together. It is particularly effective with smooth yarns that don't hold with a regular weaver's knot.
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Creating shapes
Plastic string weaving is a fun and simple craft that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It involves using plastic strips or tubes to create various shapes, figures, and items such as keychains, jewellery, and zipper pulls. Here are some detailed instructions on how to create shapes through plastic string weaving:
Materials and Setup
To get started, you will need flexible plastic lacing in your desired colours. You can also use recycled plastic bags or other discarded materials for a more sustainable approach. Scissors, a loom, and a tapestry needle are also useful tools to have on hand. If you don't have a loom, you can make a mini loom using thick cardboard. Cut the cardboard into a rectangle and use a ruler to measure and mark spaces approximately 1 cm apart along the top and bottom. Cut along these lines to create the warp, which are the vertical strings that form the foundation of your weaving.
Basic Weaving Technique
To begin weaving, hold onto the end of your plastic thread and take it over one string and under the next as you weave across the warp. You can choose to weave all the way to the end of the loom or turn back midway. When turning back, pay attention to the thread above. If it goes over the warp, take your thread under, and if it goes under, take your thread over.
Now, let's explore some ways to create shapes:
- Spiral Shape: Keep spinning your laces in the same direction each time to create a spiral shape. This can be done with a single strand or multiple strands for different effects.
- Square Shape: If you want to create a square shape, simply fold and weave straight across the square. You can also maintain the square shape by periodically pulling on the ends of the lacing, as plastic lacing tends to settle into its new shape easily.
- Angular Appearance: Experiment with different layers and directions of the weave. For a more angular appearance, create a mirror image of the previous layer.
- Double Spiral or Twist: Double the number of strings and create a double spiral or twist. This can be achieved by tying two strands around two other strands back and forth.
- Cobra Stitch: Try the cobra stitch, also known as the snake stitch. This involves tying two strands around each other back and forth, creating a pattern that resembles a cobra or a snake.
- Super Cobra or King Cobra: For a wider and larger shape, create a super cobra (or king cobra) by tying the strands around the cobra stitch itself.
- Chinese Staircase: This shape is created by using a loop strand that is put through another loop, and then pulling the latter loop. Twist the loops together to form a shape resembling a butterfly.
Feel free to experiment with different colours, patterns, and numbers of strands to create unique shapes and designs. You can also combine these techniques to create more complex shapes and figures.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need plastic lacing cords, which can be purchased online. These come in a variety of colours and thicknesses. You can also buy kits that include accessories such as keyrings, snap clip hooks, and lobster clasps.
You can make a variety of items, including bracelets, necklaces, keyrings, keychains, zipper pulls, friendship bands, and other trinkets.
First, decide what you want to make and gather the necessary materials. Then, find the centre of each lace and thread any accessories onto both laces until they are in the middle of the lengths of lacing. Cross the laces in an 'X' at their centre point, under the accessory. Keep the ends parallel to each other and do not twist the laces.
One common stitch is the square stitch, which is often used for making keychains. Another is the cobra stitch, which involves tying two strands around two other strands back and forth. You can also try the super cobra, which is created by tying the strands around the cobra itself to make it wider and larger.
