Buzz
Lanyards can be a delightful and useful crafting endeavor suitable for people of any age. Whether adorning keychains, belt loops, or water bottles, crafting a lanyard offers enjoyment. If you find yourself nearing the conclusion of your lanyard project, you might be pondering the best way to complete it. Fear not, for by adding one more stitch, tying neat knots, or employing a lighter, you can swiftly bring your lanyard project to a close.
Steps
Completing a Box or Square Stitch
Add one more stitch, ensuring it remains loose. Utilizing the same stitch employed throughout the lanyard creation process, add an additional stitch, leaving it slightly slack to facilitate further manipulation of the strands.
Encircle a strand of one hue around its matching color on the opposing side. Select a strand of one hue from your lanyard and coil it around the corresponding colored strand situated across from it. For instance, if your lanyard features black and green shades, grasp one green strand and wrap it around the other green strand located on the opposite side.
- If your lanyard incorporates more than two hues, loop one strand around another situated opposite to it.
Elevate the held strand through the center of the stitch. Take the strand you're holding and maneuver it upwards through the center of the lanyard stitch. This action will secure the strand in a miniature knot-like configuration.
- It's unnecessary to tighten this knot immediately. Maintain a loose hold to facilitate manipulation of the remaining strands.
Wrap another strand of the contrasting color around its matching hue on the opposing side. Choose a strand of the color opposite to the one previously used and wind it around its corresponding color on the opposite side.
For instance: If your lanyard features black and green colors and you've just handled the green strand, select one of the black strands and encircle it around the opposing black strand.
Elevate the held strand through the center of the stitch. Take the strand you're holding and push it upwards through the center of the stitch, thereby forming another small knot. This task may require more effort as there are now additional strands to navigate through.
Proceed with the remaining strands. After completing your initial two knots, there will be additional strands left unattended. Reiterate the process of wrapping these strands around their corresponding colors and threading them through the stitch's center.
- If handling more than four strands, expect a slightly bulkier knot.
Tighten all four strands until the knot is secure. Apply gentle pressure to the dangling strands, gradually pulling them until they are firmly secured and no longer loose. Each strand may need individual attention to ensure a snug fit.
- Ensure the knot is secure without causing distortion or warping to the lanyard.
Trim excess strands to your preferred length. Employ sharp scissors to remove any surplus strands from your lanyard that you wish to discard. Determine whether you want them to remain long or cut them down to the level of your final stitch, depending on your aesthetic preference.
Concluding a 3 Strand Stitch
Create a final stitch, leaving it loose. Utilize the same three-strand stitch employed in crafting your lanyard to form one last stitch, ensuring it remains untightened.
Envelop each strand around its adjacent counterpart. Take each individual strand and encircle it around the one nearest to it, following a clockwise direction. Maintain loose wraps to facilitate further manipulation.
- Adhering to a clockwise direction simplifies tracking the strands and recalling those already addressed.
Guide each strand upward through the center, one by one. Seize one strand at a time, lifting its end through the center of the knot. Pull it until fully emerged, avoiding excessive tightening. Repeat this step for all strands.
Draw all strands taut simultaneously. Grasp all three strands and pull them collectively until the knot is snug. Individual adjustment of each strand may be necessary.
Hint: Tighten the knot sufficiently to prevent unraveling, yet avoid excessive tension that could deform the lanyard.
Sealing the Ends with Fire
Adjust the cord's length by trimming any excess. If your lanyard has surplus strands, utilize sharp scissors to trim it to your desired length in a straight line.
Pro Tip: Lanyards typically don't have much excess fabric, if any.
Approach the flame from your lighter close to one end of the lanyard. Directly exposing your lanyard to the flame may cause burning. Instead, position the flame nearby until you observe the material beginning to melt.
- Both Bic lighters and long-neck lighters are suitable options. Bic lighters are more manageable due to their smaller size.
Heat the lanyard end for approximately 2 seconds. The lighter's flame can swiftly melt the lanyard end in about 2 seconds. Once the material becomes shiny and covers the frayed edges, remove the flame.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the flame, as it may ignite the lanyard. In case of ignition, promptly extinguish the flames by submerging the lanyard in water.
- Position the lanyard end towards the bottom of the lighter flame, where the heat is less intense.
Allow the lanyard to cool. Let the lanyard cool for approximately 1 minute before handling it. The lighter's heat can make the end very hot, so ensure it's safe to touch before use.
- If accidental burning occurs, conceal the charred area by using a permanent marker of matching color to mask it.
Pointers
Essentials
Utilizing a Stitching Method
- Scissors
Sealing Your String Ends with Fire
- Pair of Scissors
- Lighter
