How to Make Lanyards

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Follow these easy steps to create custom lanyards
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Whether for yourself or for a gift for a friend, lanyards are cute and fun to make and do not require a lot of supplies. Also, lanyards have a variety of uses, such as offering a great way to secure keys, cell phones, badges, or whistles. There are a lot of different varieties of lanyards you can make, some more advanced than others, but here are a few ideas to get you started on this enjoyable hobby.

How to Start a Lanyard (Box Stitch)

  1. Cut two strands of material to equal lengths.
  2. Find the centers of the strands. Lay them over each other like a + sign.
  3. Hold the centers between your thumb and pointer finger. Loop both ends of the bottom strand over your thumb.
  4. Weave the ends of the top strand through the loops. Move your thumb and tighten the stitch.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Weaving a Two-Strand Crown Sinnet (Box/Square) Lanyard

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  1. You can cut them as long as you'd like, but bear in mind that with thick craft lace about 3 feet (1 m) of craft lace will yield about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of lanyard.
    • Thinner gimp and boondoggle laces will yield more length in the final product.
    • Using two different colors will be easier at first while you're learning the crown sinnet method.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    All you need to do to find the centers is fold the strands in half until the ends are even. Then hold your thumb and finger around the centers so you don't forget where they are.
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  3. Lay the two centers over each other on the top of your working station, arranging the strands in a plus sign.

    Securing your lanyard strands at the end with a clip or keychain may make it easier to thread. Slip it onto the bottom strand and gently move it toward the center. It doesn't have to be exactly at the center right now, you can adjust it later.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Holding one finger down on the center for the entire first stitch so that the two strands stay where they are, use your other hand to grab one end of the bottom strand. Draw it up over the center, creating a large loop. Grab the other end of the bottom strand and do the same thing.
    • Do not cross the strands as you draw up the loops; just make sure they both loop over the finger that's holding down the center.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Grab one of the ends of the top strand, draw it toward the center, and simply weave it over the first loop it encounters but under the second loop.
    • Your two ends for the top strand should now be facing the same direction.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Grab the other end of the top strand, draw it toward the center, and simply weave it over the first loop it encounters but under the second loop.
    • Make sure the strand you're weaving isn't the one you just weaved through a loop and draw it toward the center.
    • Note that the loop your second top strand went under is the loop your first top strand went over .
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Remove your finger from the center and place it on top of the first stitch (the two weaves you just completed). Use your finger to steady the center while you tighten the stitch.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    With your free hand (the one not holding down the stitch), gently tug on each strand in succession to tighten the stitch. You might have to go around a few times to get it tight enough.

    Flip the stitch over and make sure your hook is in place. It should be directly over the "box" you just created. Continue tightening the stitch after you move the hook.

  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Repeat what you did for the first stitch: using the same color that was the bottom strand during the first stitch, draw up two non-crossing loops again. Then, with one end of the top strand, go over the first loop and under the second one; repeat this with the other end of the top strand. Tug the strands to tighten the stitch.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    You will continue this same process until until you almost run out of lace. Stop before you run out completely, because you may need to make a final stitch to secure the end.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    How you finish the lanyard will depend on what material you're using.
    • If you're using a thread-based material, such as craft lace, simply cut the ends close to the lanyard and burn them with a match or secure them with crazy glue.
    • If you're using gimp or boondoggle material, you'll need to do a finishing "stitch." Loosen the loops of your last stitch a bit first. Then take one of your strands and pull it through the loop of the other strand of the same color, going under the same-color strand as well as the different-colored strand beneath it. Finally, pull your strand up through the center of the lanyard. Repeat this for all four strands, pulling each strand tight when they're all through, and then trim the strands to your desired length.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Weaving a Four-Strand Braid Lanyard

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  1. Both strands should be 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 m) long, and, to easily differentiate between strands, you will probably want to choose different colors.

    This method requires only two pieces of material: the "four" comes in when you double over the strands by threading them through your lanyard hook.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Draw the hook up to the center of your strands by doubling the strands over until their ends line up. [1]
  3. Securing your lanyard hook will make braiding easier. To secure your lanyard hook, you can hook it to a tack on a wall or a table, pinch it between your knees, or simply tape it down. [2]

    Securing your lanyard hook allows you to maintain a tight tension while you're braiding, making the process easier.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Pull the strands together, grab them all from the bottom, twist your wrist so they create a loop together, and draw their loose ends through the loop. [3] Maneuver the knot near your lanyard hook and continue to pull the loose ends through the loop to tighten.
  5. Separate the strands by their color, keeping the same-colored ones together, and holding each pair in a different hand.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    In each hand, take the strand on the right and cross it over the left. [4] You should then have two, crossed, same-color strands in each hand.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    With your two pairs of strands in each hand, cross the two, middle, different-colored strands by bringing the left middle strand over the right middle strand.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    You will now repeat crossing the strands in each hand and crossing your middle strands until you almost run out of material. Stop before you do run out, however, because you will need to make a final stitch to secure the end.
    • You may now disregard the color-specific aspects of the process (which were included for clarity) because what matters is the position and sequence of the weaving.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Just before you run out of material, as close as possible to your braid, tie a knot at the end by wrapping all four strands around your forefinger and drawing their ends through the loop (that was created around your finger). Then pull to tighten. (See the video below for more help with the modified braid.)
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Weaving a Diamond Braid Lanyard

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  1. You can cut it as long as you'd like, but keep in mind that the thicker your material, the smaller the length. Additionally, you should use different colors to make your lanyard look prettier and to help you differentiate between your strands as you weave.
    • For boondoggle, 3 to 4 yards is a good length for a beginner's lanyard.
  2. To secure your lanyard hook, you can use a push-pin on a desk or a wall, tape it down, or pinch it between your knees. The more secure, the better, as you will want to be able to tug on your strands of material throughout this process to tighten the stitching.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Draw your lanyard hook up to the center of your strands by doubling the strands over it until their ends line up. You will need to arrange your strands so that the two halves in back are positioned to the left of the two halves in front .
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Your right most strand is one of the halves in front , so pull it around behind the two, center strands and on top of the center-left strand.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Pull the left-most strand around behind the two, center strands and on top of the center-right strand.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Pull your strands to tighten the weave you have just made. Your lanyard hook will need to be secure for you to do this effectively.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    Repeat the exact same process with whichever strands are in the positions designated (e.g. right-most, center, left-most). You will repeat this process until you are satisfied with the length or you almost run out of material.
    • Stop before you run out of material, as you will need to tie-off your end to secure your stitching.
    • Do not twist your strands as you bend them around behind the others, otherwise it will disrupt the diamond pattern.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lanyards
    When you are finished, tie a granny knot using the two, uppermost strands: that is, the two strands that are higher up the braid, one of which would have been your next strand to weave.

    A granny knot basically consists of two half knots : cross the strands, wrap your top strand around your back strand, and then repeat this for the ends of the half knot you've just created.

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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the string to make the lanyard called?
    Beth H.
    Community Answer
    It is called a gimp.
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  • Question
    I do not know how to start a box. Can you help?
    Community Answer
    Take the strands and find the center. Make a plus sign out of them, turning it into four strands. The top strand will need to be folded down, fold your left strand toward the right, move the bottom strand up, and take the final strand over the first strand and under the other. That is how to start the box braid, and you just keep doing the same steps with the 4 strands until you are done. If a visual will help, search it on YouTube.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How would I do the diamond braid?
    Community Answer
    If you know how to do the box braid, you do the same steps. However, instead of keeping the strands straight, pull them at an angle and it will be the diamond braid. If that doesn't help, just look up some videos, as there are multiple ways to do it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Video

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      Tips

      • Although it could tear, don't be scared to pull tight. All lanyard-making material is made rather strong.
        Thanks
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      • Avoid twisting your material. Keep your material straight, or else, by the end, some of your stitches will look different than others.
        Thanks
        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 5
      • There are tons of other types of lanyards you can make. Check out Lanyards (lanyards.com) for more ideas!
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Lanyard cord, craft lace, gimp or boondoggle strings.
      • Scissors
      • Measuring tape (optional)
      • Lanyard hook (optional, for ease of tightening your stitchings)
      • Lighter (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiXmmutpbk
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiXmmutpbk
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiXmmutpbk
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiXmmutpbk

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a box lanyard, first cross the centers of 2 equal lengths of material so they’re in the shape of a plus sign. Then, hold the centers in place while you grab one end of the bottom strand and draw it up over the center to make a large loop. Grab the other end of the bottom strand and do the same thing, then weave one end of the top strand over the first loop it meets and under the second loop. Next, weave the other end of the top strand over the first loop it meets and under the second. Tighten that stitch, and continue making stitches until the lanyard is the length you want. To learn how to make a diamond braid lanyard, scroll down!

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