Easy Boondoggle: Plastic Lace Keychains

When I was in elementary school, I loved making crafts. Many of them, I learned from my mom. Some of them I learned at school. Now, my kids are the same way. When one kid comes to school with a new crafty item they made, all the kids follow suit and begin making them, too. These plastic lace keychains were all the rage when I was in the fourth grade. I’m hoping I can teach my kids and they can pass this one along, too! It is a tricky one, but once you get the pattern down, it’s pretty simple. And again, when you can turn it into a keychain that you can hang on your backpack, it’s even better.

You will need ...

Plastic Lacing Cord (also called Rexlace or Lanyard Lacing Cord)
Keychain Ring
Scissors

NOTE: 1 yard of lace makes about 4 inches of square lanyard

Step One

Cut two equal pieces of plastic lacing cord. For your first time, it is best to work with two different colors. This way you will learn the pattern easier.

Step Two

Place the cords in a plus sign pattern with one color going right to left and the other going top to bottom. Be sure there are equal lengths on all ends.

Step Three

Start the pattern and attach the keychain ring. To do this, place the ring in the center of the cross.

Step Four

Now, pick up the plus sign and the keyring in one hand. Put your thumb on top of the crossed part. Take one end of each lace strand and thread it through the keychain loop. Return the laces to the plus sign formation (this time the keychain will be hanging in the center). Take the bottom lace up over the thumb and the top lace over and down the thumb. Tuck them loosely in place using your other fingers. Then take the left lace up and over the thumb from left to right, then go over the first top-bottom lace and under the second top-bottom lace. Next, repeat with the right lace up and over the thumb from right to left, going over the first top-bottom lace, and under the second top-bottom lace.

When crossing laces, be sure to pay attention to where the rows are so as not to cross. Meaning, if the left lace is on the bottom of the square, keep it on the bottom. If the right lace is on the top, keep it on the top. Otherwise the pattern will get jumbled.

Step Five

Repeat this pattern until you reach the desired length. Please remember to leave about 4 inches of lace so you can properly tie off the laces.

Step Six

To finish off the boondoggle, repeat the pattern, but this time, keep the laces loose. Hold the boondoggle in one hand. Taking one of the lace ends, wrap it around the lace next to it and bring it up through the center. Repeat on all four laces until they are all coming up through the center. Pull to tighten. You may snip off the ends, but I would leave about 2 inches on.

The Mom Touch