A lanyard keychain can be a do-it-yourself project for people who love craft-making. Whether you would like to make a beaded lanyard or a badge lanyard for yourself or make a custom lanyard as a gift for your friends, it is easy to make a few of these on your own.
The Main Material
Before you start however you should know the definition of the main item in lanyard making –the boondoggle. This is an extruded plastic lace which is flat, flexible and sturdy. It is made out of PVC which is why it is sturdier than other craft material, making it the first choice of many crafts enthusiasts. Some stores do not call these strands boondoggle though because of the negative connotation and definition of the word. Originally the term boondoggle means “a waste of time, money and effort”. Some crafts shops call them craftlace, gimp, crafstrip, gimp, lanyard, or plastic lacing. Use these names if the store clerk does not know what a boondoggle is! If you happen to be in France, ask for Scooby doos – weird as it may seem, this what they call them in that part of Europe.
Elasticity and Durability
For those planning to use gimps or lanyards for their crafts projects, these are elastic but only to a certain degree. If you pull them too hard or stretch them hard enough, they can break.
Making Lanyard Bracelets
First you need 2 strands, each with a length of 3 and a half yards if you are planning to make a lanyard, 4 feet for each strand if you are making a lanyard keychain. You should also get a hook for your lanyard, either a swivel hook or a lanyard hook. You will also need a safety pin, scissors and a paper clip.
Diamond Braid or Spiral?
Choose between a spiral braid and a diamond one. Remember that these two are the same except for the initial strand placement. The diamond braid is usually used by people who make lanyards because it looks flat compared to the spiral one. You need 4 boondoggle strands. If you are making a keychain or a bracelet, you would only need 3 to 4 yards of each strand. Apart from the items mentioned above, you need additional items to make this stitch work. You should get 2 different colors so you can easily master the diamond stitch and do not forget your push pin or safety pin because you will need this item along the way.
Do-It-Yourself Instructions
If you do not know how to do either a spiral or a diamond braid, it is best to look for do-it-yourself instructions that include a video of how to do it because it is more effective to see it in action rather than just reading instructions.
Craft Ideas
Once you have learned how to do the braiding you can make your own keychains and bracelets for yourself or for your friends and family. You can also add pony beads on your lanyard projects to make them look more unique and visually appealing. Apart from bracelets and keychains you can make necklaces, purses, small bags and even bags out of gimp.
Making vs. Buying
One thing you should remember though is that it takes a lot of time and effort to make such friendship bands or key chains, which is why many opt to just buy them. However making them can be a great activity for the family and a great way to relax, especially for people who love arts and crafts. Once you start, you may find a hobby for life!