How to Make Beaded Key Chains

This high-flying kite key chain is not only fun, it will make your keys a snap to find. Best of all, this craft is easy to make when you follow our step-by-step illustrated instructions.

What You'll Need

What To Do

1. Fold the lanyard in half, and slip the looped end through the split ring. Pull the cut ends up through the loop and pull tight.

2. String a light blue bead onto the left strand and slide it all the way up. Weave the right strand through the bead from right to left. Now slide 3 light blue beads onto the left strand. Weave the right strand through the beads from right to left.

3. Keep stringing and weaving in this manner, following the pattern in the picture below. Be sure to pull the cords firmly and to keep the lanyard flat as you weave each row.

4. Finish the body of the kite by tying both lanyard ends in an overhand knot. To do this, twist both lanyard ends into a loop and then pull the free ends through the loop.

5. Tie a second overhand knot about 1/2 inch from the first, then string 1 red bead on each strand of lanyard followed by another overhand knot -- this creates the "bows" that weight the tail of the kite. Repeat this process to make 2 more bows with yellow and light blue beads.

6. Use nail clippers to trim the excess lanyard, leaving a 1/2-inch tail.

Still have more keys to corral? On the next page you'll get all the information you need to create a cool lanyard-style key chain.

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This sleek, simple lanyard makes a cool key chain -- especially with its unique bead accent. You can choose your favorite colors and substitute them in the step-by-step directions below.

What You'll Need

What To Do

1. Insert one end of the purple lace through the key ring. Position the key ring at the center of the lace. Cross the lanyard laces at the centers, with the yellow lace over the purple lace below the key ring.

2. Fold the top purple lace down over the yellow lace.

3. Fold the left yellow lace to the right over the top purple lace.

4. Fold the back purple lace up over the yellow laces.

5. Fold the back yellow lace over the right purple lace and under the left purple lace.

6. Pull all laces tight to form a square. Insert the anchor lace or safety pin through the key ring to anchor.

7. Follow -- and repeat -- these steps to make 3 inches of woven key chain:

8. Make sure all four laces are pulled tight. Thread three pony beads on all four laces. Tie all the laces together in a tight knot. Trim the ends to 3 inches. Remove the anchor.

Now you're ready for a challenge. Click to the next page for instructions on making a beaded key chain -- in the shape of an airplane!

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Whether you're an aviation buff or just in need of something to keep your keys from flying away, with this unique key chain, you'll find your keys are always in "plane" sight.

What You'll Need

What To Do

1. Tie the lanyard onto the split ring in a lark's head knot. Make a lark's head knot by folding the lanyard in half and slipping the looped end through the split ring. Pull the cut ends up through the loop and pull tight. Because this project features a "spine," it's best to use plastic lanyard.

2. Following the diagram below, begin weaving at the top wing of the plane. As you string each row, skip the yellow beads as you weave back. The yellow beads act as "increase" beads between rows.

3. The top wing ends after five rows of beads, and the body of the plane begins. String and weave the first four beads of the airplane's body, then use the left strand and follow the sidepath for the nose of the plane. (Hint: Before you string the starflake bead on, check whether the lanyard will pass through it twice. You may have to use tweezers to help weave it back through.)

4. Before starting the tail sidepath on the right side of the plane, string the next four beads of the airplane's body on the left strand -- then weave back through the four beads directly above and then back through the last row. Pull firmly so this four-bead "spine" will hold the plane neatly together. (Both strands will now be on the right side of the plane.)

5. String four beads on the top right strand before beginning the sidepath for the tail. Follow the diagram above closely to determine the order in which the beads should be strung and woven. First string and weave beads 1 through 6 to create the top of the tail, then string and weave beads 7 through 12 to create the bottom of the tail. Once the tail is complete, weave back through the bead to the left of the tail, then string three more beads before weaving back through the last row of the body of the plane.

6. Continue bead weaving to create the bottom wing. Again, skip the yellow beads as you weave back -- they are now "decrease" beads between rows.

7. To finish, tie the lanyard ends in a square knot and trim the excess.

Whew! After that project, you're no doubt getting to be a pro, and perhaps you have some ladies on your list who would enjoy a softer, more feminine key chain. Continue to the next page to create the heartbreaker.

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Make this beaded key chain for the special ladies in your life and they're sure to LOVE it -- whether they're all heart or heartbreakers! Our easy, illustrated steps make creating this craft a snap.

What You'll Need

What to Do

1. Make a lark's head knot by folding the lanyard in half and slipping the looped end through the split ring. Pull the cut ends up through the loop and pull tight. Then tie an overhand knot about 1/2 to 1 inch from the lark's head knot.

2. String a white bead onto the left strand and slide it all the way up to the knot. Weave the right strand through the bead from right to left. To make the heart's upper arches, weave a "sidepath" by stringing beads 1 through 4 on the right strand. Leave a little space between the beads, and weave back through beads 1 and 2. Pull tightly as you weave back, allowing the beads to curve as shown below. Repeat to make a sidepath with the left strand. Add a white bead on the end of each sidepath before you move on to the next row.

3. String beads onto the left strand in the following order: one white, two pink, one pink glitter, one pink, one pink glitter, two pink, and one white. Weave the right strand through the same beads from right to left. Repeat this basic bead-weaving technique for the remaining rows, using the bead diagram below for reference.

4. Finish by tying both cord ends together in an overhand knot. To do this, twist both lanyard ends into a loop and then pull the free ends through the loop. Tie a second overhand knot on each cord about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the first knot. String a heart pony bead and a glitter bead on each cord, and finish each with another overhand knot. Trim the excess cord with the nail clippers, leaving 1/2-inch tails.

Enjoying this love-filled craft theme? Learn how to make a beautiful butterfly key chain with our instructions on the next page.

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This beautiful beaded butterfly looks more like a piece of jewelry than a key chain. But no matter how lovely, the Wingin' It butterfly key chain is guaranteed to help you keep track of all your essentials. You'll just look good in the process!

What You'll Need

What to Do 1. Fold the lanyard in half, and slip the looped end through the split ring. Pull the cut ends up through the loop and pull tight. String a royal blue baby pony bead onto the left strand and slide it all the way up. Weave the right strand through the bead from right to left. String one black glitter pony bead onto each strand for the eyes, then add one purple glitter pony bead to the left strand. Weave the right strand through the purple glitter bead from right to left. Be sure to keep the lanyard flat as you weave it from one row to the next.

2. To make the first "sidepath" of the right butterfly wing, string beads 1 through 15 on the right strand. Leave a little space between the beads, and weave back through, skipping the larger beads (beads 12, 10, 8, and 6). Pull tightly as you weave back, allowing the beads to curve. Repeat to make the first sidepath of the left butterfly wing with the left strand. Add one royal blue baby pony, one purple glitter pony, and one royal blue baby pony to the left strand. Weave the right strand through the same three beads right to left.

3. String the second sidepath on each side of the butterfly. As you weave back toward the body, make sure to skip bead 15 from the first sidepath. Similarly, after stringing the third sidepath, skip bead 12 from the middle sidepath as you weave back toward the body.

4. Lace the last bead (16) of both lower wings to the body as a bead between rows as shown above. Use the bead diagram below as a guide to finish the last two rows.

5. Tie the lanyard ends together in an overhand knot. To do this, twist both lanyard ends into a loop and then pull the free ends through the loop. Tie a double knot toward the end of each strand. Thread a lavender bead and a light blue bead on each end, then tie a double knot on each strand to hold the beads in place. Trim excess lanyard with nail clippers, leaving 1/4-inch ends.

If you've conquered all these key chain projects, you're ready for your masterpiece: the cheerleader. Follow our directions on the next page to create this cheerful key chain.

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A perfect way to let the world know about your hobby (or coaching job, or daughter), this hip-hip hooray cheerleader key chain is a beaded masterpiece. Younger cheerleaders may need some adult coaching help, but the instructions and illustrations below should provide everything you require to complete this project.

What You'll Need

What to Do

1. Fold the lanyard in half, and slip the looped end through the split ring. Pull the cut ends up through the loop and pull tight.

2. Begin at the top of the cheerleader's head by stringing four black baby pony beads onto the left strand. Weave the right strand through the beads from right to left. Add one dark blue baby pony bead to each strand.

3. Follow the diagram below to string and weave the next two rows of beads, counting the beads carefully as the colors change to create the cheerleader's face and hair. Be sure to pull the cords firmly and to keep the lanyard flat as you weave each row.

When you get to the fourth row, string beads onto the left strand according to the diagram, and weave the right strand back through all the beads. Now weave the left strand through the second black bead from the left and the right strand through the second black bead from the right.

4. For the fifth row, or the cheerleader's arms, start by stringing and weaving four white baby pony beads. Add six white pony beads to the right strand, then make three "sidepaths" with red beads for the cheerleader's pom-poms. To make a sidepath:

Repeat for other two sidepaths, then weave the strand back through the last five white beads. Repeat for the left arm and pom-pom with the left strand.

5. Continue weaving and stringing rows 6 through 10 according to the beading diagram below.

6. When you get to row 11, or the legs, string nine dark blue baby pony beads onto the left strand; weave the right strand back through the beads. Now string nine peach beads and one dark blue bead on the right strand.

7. Make a foot by stringing on beads 1 through 5. Leave a little space between the beads, and weave back through beads 3, 4, 1, and 2 (allow the beads to curve as shown). Weave back through bead 1 again, then weave the strand through the last dark blue pony bead and nine peach beads. Repeat for the other leg and foot.

8. Finish by twisting each lanyard end into a loop and then pull the free end through the loop. Trim any excess lanyard with the nail clippers.

By now you are likely weaving lanyards with the greatest of ease and astounding all your friends with the fabulous beaded key chains you create.

Don't be afraid to select alternate colors of lanyards and beads to produce an endless array of fun and functional key chains.

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ABOUT THE KEY CHAIN DESIGNERS

High-Flying Kite and Hip-Hip Hooray Cheerleader by Cindy Groom Harry and staff