Maya Ellison
Plastic lacing crafts have been around for a long time, and one of the most popular items to make with plastic lacing is a keychain. Plastic lacing is a simple and customizable craft that can keep children as young as five occupied and provide a simple and relaxing activity for adults. The basics of plastic lacing can be learned in a matter of minutes, and completing a craft can take 20 minutes or more, depending on complexity. To make a plastic cord keychain, you can start with a basic two-strand weave, forming a square. Once you have mastered the square, you can move on to more advanced techniques and styles. The repetitive and meditative nature of crafting these keychains offers a therapeutic escape, allowing individuals to channel their creativity into functional items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Craft type | Weaving |
| Craft name | Boondoggle |
| Craft time | Minutes to learn the basics, 20 minutes and upward to complete depending on complexity |
| Craft difficulty | Easy, suitable for children as young as five |
| Craft supplies | Plastic lacing cord, scissors, pliers, keyring/keychain, glue (optional), flame (optional) |
| Craft process | Twisting, braiding, and tying plastic lacing cord, optionally securing with glue or melting plastic laces together with a flame |
| Craft use | Keychains, zipper pulls, jewellery, lanyards, bracelets, anklets, necklaces |
| Craft benefits | Creative expression, practicality, therapeutic escape, individuality, personal flair |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right plastic cord
Plastic lacing crafts are simple and customizable, and can be a fun activity for both children and adults. To weave plastic cord keychains, you will need a plastic lacing cord, which is typically made from PVC plastic. This type of cord is supple, sturdy, flexible, and easy to cut and knot.
When choosing the right plastic cord for your keychain, there are a few factors to consider:
Colour
The colour of the plastic cord you choose will depend on your personal preference and the desired look of your keychain. Plastic lacing cords come in a variety of colours, including bright, rainbow colours, pastel shades, neon colours, and classic colours like black and white. You can choose a single colour or a variety of colours to create unique colour combinations. Some cords even come in glittery or glow-in-the-dark varieties.
Length
The length of the plastic cord you need will depend on the complexity of your keychain design and the number of keychains you want to make. Plastic lacing cords typically come in rolls of different lengths, such as 11 yards, 13 yards, 20 yards, or 40 feet. Some kits offer multiple rolls of different colours, providing a total length of over 400 yards.
Thickness
The thickness of the plastic cord is another important consideration. Cords typically range in width from 1 millimetre to 2.5 millimetres. Thicker cords may be easier to handle, especially for beginners, but thinner cords can provide more precision and allow for more intricate designs.
Durability
The durability of the plastic cord is essential to ensure that your keychain is long-lasting. Look for cords that are described as sturdy, strong, or durable. Some cords may also be flexible, which can make them easier to work with and give your keychain a more supple feel.
Safety
If you are crafting with children, it is important to choose a plastic cord that is non-toxic and free from latex and lead. This will ensure that the craft is safe for kids to handle and reduce the risk of any potential allergies or health hazards.
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Basic two-strand weaves
Plastic lacing crafts have been around for a long time, and they can be a fun activity for both children and adults. You can use one, two, four, or even eight strands of flexible lacing to create a variety of items such as keychains, zipper pulls, and jewellery.
To get started with basic two-strand weaves, you'll need a few supplies:
- Plastic lacing cord in your desired colours and finishes (some options include solid colours, glitter, glow-in-the-dark, or translucent)
- Scissors
- Keyring or clasp
- Lighter (optional, for melting the ends of the cords to prevent fraying)
- Pliers (optional, for installing the lanyard hook)
- Cut your plastic cord to the desired length. You can cut multiple cords and fuse them together to make one long length, or work with a single cord.
- Thread the cord through the keyring until it is halfway through. Tape the keyring down to your workspace if needed.
- Measure about 4 inches up from the keyring. This is where you will tie the first knot.
- Fold the cord on the left into a "4" shape, bringing it over the top of the right cord.
- Fold the cord on the right in the opposite direction, bringing it under the left cord and up through the loop. Ensure the left cord end goes down through the loop of the right cord.
- Pull the ends to tighten the knot, using your thumbs to hold it in place.
- Continue tying knots in the same manner until you reach the keyring.
- Once you reach the keyring, do one last weave but don't pull it tight.
- Take each loose lace and wrap it around the lace to its left, then weave it up through the centre of the laces. Repeat for all four laces and then pull tight.
- Use pliers to attach the lanyard hook to the end, and your keychain is complete!
Remember, this is just a basic technique, and you can experiment with different colours, patterns, and thicknesses of paracord to create more complex and personalized designs. You can also try adding additional strands and weaving them in the same way to create more intricate patterns.
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Adding accessories
Clasps and Keyrings
One of the most common accessories to add to a keychain is a clasp or keyring. These can be purchased separately in a variety of colours and materials, such as metal or plastic. Clasps and keyrings are functional additions that allow you to easily attach your keys or other items to the keychain. You can choose from different types of clasps, such as snap hooks or lobster clasps, depending on your preference and the intended use of your keychain.
Charms and Beads
Another way to accessorise your plastic cord keychain is to add charms or beads. You can find a variety of colourful and shaped beads, including alphabet beads, to spell out words or create unique patterns. Charms can also be added to the keychain, such as small trinkets or pendants that reflect your interests or personality. These can be attached using jump rings or directly woven into the plastic cord.
Lights and Reflectors
If you're looking to add some functionality to your keychain, consider adding a small flashlight or reflective strip. Flashlight keychains can be useful for finding your way in the dark, while reflective keychains can improve visibility during low-light conditions. These accessories are especially handy for individuals who frequently walk or travel at night.
Lanyard Hooks
When creating a lanyard keychain, you can add a lanyard hook to the end. This hook allows you to easily attach the keychain to a bag, purse, or lanyard string. Lanyard hooks are typically added last as a rewarding finish to your project. They can be attached using pliers to ensure a secure connection.
Combining Accessories
You can also combine different accessories to create a unique and functional keychain. For example, you might add a lanyard hook, a small flashlight, and a personalised charm to your woven plastic cord keychain. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of colours, charms, and functional accessories to create a keychain that suits your needs and style.
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Fixing loose ends
To fix the loose ends of a plastic cord keychain, you can try the following methods:
Using glue
Apply a small amount of hot glue to the base of each loose end. This will help secure the ends in place and prevent them from unraveling. Be careful when handling hot glue, as it can cause serious burns. It is recommended to supervise children when using hot glue.
Melting the plastic
Use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of the keychain, fusing the plastic laces together. This will create a permanent bond and secure the loose ends. However, be cautious when handling an open flame, and ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
Weaving technique
Another approach is to incorporate the loose ends into the weaving pattern. Start by doing 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 center of the laces. Repeat this step for all four laces and then pull tight. This technique will help secure the loose ends and create a neat finish.
Using tape
If the keychain has a loose ring, you can try flipping the loose part inside out and securing it with tape. This method is simple and quick, but may not be as durable as the other methods. Use pliers with tape wrapped around the head to avoid scratching the keychain during this process.
Wire and soft washer
If the loop on your keychain is broken, you can fix it by using wire and a soft washer. Take a thin wire and coil it tightly around a pencil several times, leaving a couple of centimetres of loose ends. Pass the wire through the hole in the keychain's body, squeezing it with pliers if necessary, and then spend more wire on anchoring the ex-coil inside the keychain. Don't forget to include a soft washer, such as plastic, thin rubber, cardboard, or paper, to prevent wear and tear on the socket.
Velcro
If you're looking for an adhesive solution, consider using Velcro. Attach a flat object to your keychain and stick the Velcro to it. The adhesive on the Velcro is very strong and can securely hold items such as a thumb drive.
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Crafting with kids
Materials:
- Plastic lacing cord in various colours
- Scissors
- Pliers
- Keychain rings, hooks, or clasps
Steps:
Choose Your Cord:
Select two or more colours of plastic lacing cord to create an interesting design. You can find these cords in craft stores or online, and they come in various colours and thicknesses.
Start with Basic Weaves:
Begin with the basic two-strand weave technique to create a square. Fold and weave the cords straight across to form a square shape. This is the foundation of your keychain, and you can always go back to it if you need to start over.
Experiment with Patterns:
Once you've mastered the basic square, you can move on to more intricate patterns. Try different weaving techniques, such as twisting, braiding, or creating unique shapes. You can find many tutorials and ideas online to inspire your designs.
Secure the Ends:
To ensure your keychain holds together, you can secure the ends of the cords in several ways. One method is to apply a small amount of hot glue to the base of each end, but be cautious when using hot glue with children. Alternatively, use a flame to carefully melt the plastic and fuse the laces together.
Add Keychain Hardware:
Finally, use pliers to attach a keychain ring, hook, or clasp to one end of your woven creation. This step gives your craft a functional purpose and completes the keychain.
Plastic cord keychains are a fantastic project for crafting with kids, offering a chance to develop their hand-eye coordination and creativity. With some cord and basic tools, you can guide them through the process of creating something both artistic and practical.
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Frequently asked questions
Materials required include plastic lacing cord, scissors, pliers, keyrings, snap hooks, and lobster clasps.
You can find plastic lacing cord kits on Amazon, such as the Cridoz 6-pack, Wesnoy 48 Rolls, or the Mckanti 12-pack.
You can start with the basic 2-strand weave, teaching yourself the square first. Then, do one last weave without pulling it tight. Wrap each loose lace around the lace to its left and weave it through the center of the laces. Repeat for all 4 laces and pull tight.
You can apply a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end. Alternatively, you can use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of your craft to fuse the plastic laces together.
Crafting plastic cord keychains is a therapeutic escape, allowing individuals to channel their creativity into functional items. It is a simple and customizable craft that can keep children occupied and provide a relaxing activity for adults.
