Stitching a twirl lanyard can be done in several ways, including the Chinese Staircase stitch. This technique is easier than it looks and can be done fairly quickly. Use contrasting colors of plastic lace--which comes in a wide selection of hues--for an eye-catching pattern. The twirl lanyards make good zipper pulls, key chains and even bracelets. The plastic lace used is also called rexlace, gimp, boondoggle or craft lace.
Instructions
1. Hold both strands evenly and make a knot at one end. Attach the knotted end with a push pin, or thumb tack, to a surface such as a wall, cork board or table. Make sure it's not a surface you mind being damaged by the pin.
2. Cross the left strand over the right strand. Pull it around behind the right strand and over to the left, keeping it over the left strand while looping it around. Pull the left strand tight and push the stitch it created up to the knot.
3. Pull the left strand around over the right strand again, looping it behind a second time, keeping it over the upper part of the left strand. This will make a second stitch. Pull it tight and slide the second stitch up underneath the first one. Make sure to keep your right strand pulled straight while making stitches. You will see the twirled Chinese Staircase design forming as you go.
4. Make several more stitches the same way with the left strand. You can make as many as you wish before switching to the opposite strand to change the twirl lanyard's color.
5. Pull the left strand straight and pull the right strand over the left strand. Loop it around behind the left strand and over the right strand. Pull it and slide the stitch up to the top. This is your first stitch of the opposite color. You can make as many stitches as you want the same way before switching back to the first color.
6. Make a knot using both strands together at the bottom to finish your project. You can attach a lanyard hook if you like to use it as a keychain or small lanyard. Trim the ends if needed.
Tags: make, twirl, lanyards, left strand, right strand, strand over, over left, over right, over right strand, Pull left, Pull left strand
