Key
rings are a fun and functional item for shoeboxes. They can be
attached to zips, bags, backpacks and belt loops as well as keys. I
like to make key rings for my shoeboxes for older girls and boys, as
well as for families and elderly people.
In
this tutorial, you will learn how to make simple
key ring fobs
using basic macramé
knots. Please don't be put off by the
long post and the number of photos – I
wanted to cover all
the steps. If you get lost, I have included a link to a video that
makes it all very clear.
You
will need:- Key ring finding
-
Cord – I used around 90 cm (1 yard) per key ring
-
Bead/s, optional
-
Tape measure or ruler
-
Scissors
-
Macramé board, optional
-
Clear glue, optional
-
Lighter or candle, optional
A word about cord
A
word about boards
You
don't need to have a special macramé board like mine. Before I
bought this, I used a large sponge and pinned my work to it with
dressmaking (straight) pins. You could use a clipboard or even
sticky tape and something flat like a chopping board. You will find
it easier and get better results if the core cords are kept
reasonably taut so you need them to be held securely at the top and
bottom.
A
word about designs
The
beauty of this project is that you can make your key ring fob the
colour and length that you like, with or without beads. If you
change your mind before the end, you can undo the knots quite easily
with a pin or your fingernails.
If
you want to copy my designs, here are the details for the eight shown
here; they are around 13 cm or 5 inches long.
1) Black and green key ring – 90 cm of 2 mm nylon cord
1 square knot, 1 small bead, 2 square knots, 1 small bead, 2 square knots, 1 small bead, 2 square knots
2) Grey and black key ring – 90 cm of 1.5 mm nylon cord
2 square knots, 1 small bead, 2 square knots, 1 small bead, 2 square knots, 1 small bead, 2 square knots
3) Red and black key ring - as above
4) Brown key ring – 1 metre of 1 mm cotton cord
12 half square knots, 1 medium bead, 12 half square knots
5)
Pink key ring – 1 metre of 1.5 mm nylon cord
2
square knot, 1 flower bead, 2 square knots, 1 flower bead, 2 square
knots, 1 flower bead, 2 square knots
10
half square knots, 1 medium bead, 10 half square knots
7)
Pink and lilac key ring – 45 cm each of two colours of 1.5 mm nylon
cord
10
half square knots, 1 medium bead, 10 half square knots
8)
Yellow key ring - 1 metre of 1.5 mm nylon cord
2
square knots, 1 small bead, 1 square knot, 1 small bead, 1 square
knot, 1 small bead, 1 small bead, 1 square knot, 1 small bead, 2
square knot
Let's get started!
Step 1
You
are going
to start by securing the cord to the key ring finding using a lark's
head knot.
Fold one about a third of the way along and place it down on a flat surface
Place your finding down on top of the fold
Pull
the fold through the middle of the finding
Pull the lower threads up through the loop and tighten the knot against the finding
Do not fully tighten just yet – first check the length of the shorter cord. It needs to be about the same as the final length that you want your key ring to be. For mine, the length is 13 cm which is about 5 inches.
Repeat with the other cord but make sure that the short length is next to the other short one, with the longer lengths on the outside. The central cords are the core cords and the outer cords are the working cords. The ends of the working cords are folded up just so that I could get them in the photo - they can just hang loose at this stage.
Step 2
You do not need to add beads but if you are using them, add them to both of the core cords at this stage. You can use one or more beads.
Tip - Sometimes it can be tricky to thread the beads on. Choose beads with large enough holes for the cord you are using. You could dip the last half inch of the cord in clear glue and allow it to dry. The stiffened end can be cut at a 45 degree angle so that it acts like a needle.
This is how I set up my board – you can improvise as I explained at the start. I attach a piece of scrap cord to the top of the finding then secure my work at the top and bottom. The working cords are loose.
Step
3
Now
we are going to make the square knot. I do the right cord to start
with but I believe you can start on the left if you prefer. You are
now going to “mind your Ps and Qs”!
Take
the right working cord and make a P or reverse 4 shape and bring the
end around to the left, placing it down on top of the core cords.
Take
the left working cord and place it down on top of the right cord
Take
the end of the left cord and pass it under the section where the
cords make a cross shape
Pass it through the loop created by the
right cord
Take both working ends and keep pulling gently until the
knot travels up the key ring finding
This
is one half of the square knot
Next you complete the knot by doing
the same on the other side.
Take
the right working cord and place it down on top of the left cord
Pass it through the loop created by the left cord
Take both working ends and keep pulling gently until the knot travels up the key ring finding
That's
it – the first square knot is complete. This is how it should
look
Tip
- try to keep your tension consistent as this gives a nicer overall
look.
Alternative
design – how to do the twist
If
you want to achieve the twisted look of the purple key ring, you can
do a half square knot instead of the full square knot. This gives a
twisted or spiral effect.
Remember,
you make a square knot by first using the right working cord then
using the left. However, to do a half square knot, you use the right
working cord then repeat – you only work on one side instead of
alternating between the two.
If
you use only the working cord on the right, the spiral will twist to
the left. If you use only the working cord on the left, the spiral
will twist to the right.
Watch
this YouTube video by Macramé
Projects – the first three minutes cover the square knot and the
subsequent two minutes cover the half square knot. You can watch the
rest of the video to increase your macramé
knot repertoire if
you like:
As
I explained above, you can design your key ring in whatever way you
fancy. When you are ready to incorporate the first bead, slide it up
the core cords to sit just under the knot.
Now you continue with your knotting. You do it just the same way as before but this time the cord will go around the side of the bead instead of sitting as a 'bump' on the side of the work.
Pull the knot slowly to sit under the bead then do the second half of the knot as shown before
See how the bead is held nicely between the knots?
Make more knots and slide your next bead up when you are ready. Knot around it as before and work your way down your design.
Step 5
I
have now completed the knotting for this key ring – it measures
about 9 cm or 3.5 inches from the top of the finding to the bottom of
the last knot.
Remove the work from your board or clipboard
Now you need to tie a knot
using all four strands of cord. I would call this an overhand knot.
It is like tying a knot in the end of a balloon.
Here's a close up
Step 6
Trim
the ends of the cords so that they are all the same length.
Now
you need to finish the ends. How
you do this depends on the type of cord you have used:
-
Nylon cord will melt so you can seal the ends using a lighter or candle flame. Hold the end of the cord close to but not touching the flame, just until you see the end melt. Do each end in turn. Take care not to burn yourself or your project!
- Cotton will not melt so I usually knot the ends or you could use a clear glue or a product like Fray Check.
Your key ring is finished!
If
you want to try other types of key rings, take a look at the photo tutorial on our Facebook page.
If
you use this or any of our tutorials, please share photos of your work on our
Facebook page.
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd rather addictive... :-)
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