Sofia Martinez
Plastic lanyards are a fun craft project for people of all ages. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as hanging keychains, belt loops, or even water bottles. When crafting a plastic lanyard, it is important to know how to properly tie off the ends to create a neat and secure finish. There are several methods to achieve this, including making additional stitches, creating small knots, or using a lighter to melt the ends together. In this paragraph, we will explore the different techniques for tying off a plastic lanyard, ensuring a professional-looking result.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of stitches | 1 more stitch |
| Type of stitch | Square stitch |
| Stitch tightness | Loose |
| Strand position | Same color on opposite sides |
| Cutting | Cut in a straight line with sharp scissors |
| Lighter usage | Hold flame near lanyard end |
| Lighter type | Bic or long-neck |
| Melt duration | 2 seconds |
| Cooling time | 1 minute |
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What You'll Learn
Make one more stitch
To tie off a plastic lanyard, you can use the square stitch, one of the most basic stitches. Make one more stitch, but don't tighten it. Keep it loose so that you can still work with the strands.
Now, pull one strand and bring it around the side of the square stitch to the left. Pull it up and through the opposite loop, then up through the loose middle stitch.
Continue this with the strand that is to the left of the first strand you used. Pull it around the square stitch to the left, and bring it up through the opposite loop and through the middle stitch.
Finally, pull the strands with one hand through the middle stitch and in the opposite direction of the lanyard. Pull them tight to secure the lanyard, but not too tight that it might break. You can then cut the remaining strands to your desired length.
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Wrap strands of the same colour
When you are close to the end of your plastic lanyard, you can finish it off by wrapping strands of the same colour. This is a simple process but it requires attention to detail.
Firstly, make one more stitch in the stitch style you have been using, but don't tighten it. Keep it loose so that you can still work with the strands.
Now, take a strand of one colour in your lanyard and wrap it around the strand on the opposite side that is the same colour. For example, if your lanyard is made up of black and green strands, take one green strand and wrap it around the other green strand on the opposite side.
Repeat this process for the other colour. Take a strand of the second colour and wrap it around the same colour on the opposite side. For example, take a black strand and wrap it around the other black strand on the opposite side.
By wrapping the strands of the same colour, you create a neat and secure finish for your plastic lanyard. This technique is simple yet effective and is a great way to end your lanyard project.
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Trim excess cord
Trimming the excess cord is an important step in finishing off a lanyard. It ensures that your lanyard is neat and tidy, and the length you want it to be. Here is a step-by-step guide to trimming the excess cord:
First, assess your lanyard for any excess strands or material hanging off. Typically, a lanyard won't have much extra fabric, if any at all. However, if you didn't use all of your material, there might be some strands left that you'll want to trim.
Next, take sharp scissors and carefully cut the excess cord to your desired length. Try to cut the cord in a straight line to maintain an even finish. Be cautious while handling scissors and ensure you are cutting in a safe and controlled manner.
After cutting, you might want to use a lighter to melt the ends of the lanyard. Hold the flame near the end of the lanyard, without making direct contact, until the material starts to melt and turn shiny. This will help seal the frayed ends and prevent them from unraveling. Be careful not to hold the flame too close or for too long, as it may catch fire.
Finally, let your lanyard cool down. Before handling it again, ensure that it has cooled sufficiently and is safe to touch. Now you have successfully trimmed and finished your lanyard!
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Use a lighter
Using a lighter is a quick and easy way to finish off a plastic lanyard. It only takes a few seconds and a few simple steps. First, hold the flame from your lighter near one strand of your lanyard end. Make sure not to hold the flame directly on the plastic, as it will burn it. Hold the flame close enough to melt the plastic, which should take about 2 seconds. You'll know it's ready when the plastic turns shiny and covers any frayed ends. Remove the flame as soon as you see this, as the lanyard could catch fire if you leave it too long. If this happens, quickly run the lanyard under water to douse the flames.
Before you touch or handle your lanyard, let it cool down for about a minute. The lighter will have made the end very hot, so be sure to let it cool before using it. If you accidentally burn your lanyard, you can use a permanent marker to colour over any charred areas.
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Let it cool
Once you have finished making your lanyard, it is important to let it cool. This is because the flame from your lighter will have gotten the end very hot. If you touch the lanyard before it has cooled, you may burn yourself. Therefore, it is important to let the lanyard cool down for about a minute before touching or handling it. This will ensure that it is safe to touch and that the plastic has set in place.
When melting the end of your lanyard, be careful not to hold the flame too close to the plastic for too long, as it may catch fire. If this happens, quickly run the lanyard under cold water to douse the flames. To avoid this, keep the end of the lanyard towards the bottom of the lighter flame, where the fire is not as hot.
You will know when to remove the flame from your lanyard when you see the plastic turn shiny and cover any frayed ends. At this point, remove the flame and allow the lanyard to cool. If you accidentally burn your lanyard, you can use a permanent marker in a matching colour to hide any charred areas.
Overall, allowing your lanyard to cool is a crucial step in the process of finishing your lanyard. By following these instructions, you can ensure that your lanyard is safe to use and that the plastic ends are securely in place.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are the basic steps to tie off a plastic lanyard:
- Make one more stitch but keep it loose.
- Pull one strand and bring it around the side of the stitch to the left.
- Pull it up and through the opposite loop and the loose middle stitch.
- Repeat this process with the strand to the left of the first strand.
- Pull the strands in the opposite direction of the lanyard and tighten them to secure the lanyard.
- Cut the remaining strands to the desired length.
To finish the ends of a plastic lanyard, you can use a lighter to melt the ends. Hold the flame near the end of the lanyard until the material starts to melt and turns shiny. Then, let the lanyard cool down before handling it.
Here are some tips for tying a plastic lanyard:
- Make sure to use sharp scissors to cut any excess cord.
- Do not hold the lighter flame too close to the lanyard, or it may catch fire.
- If the lanyard does catch fire, quickly run it under water to douse the flames.
