Jazz Up Your Life With a Boondoggle!

Have you ever been at the airport and can’t figure out which black suitcase is yours on the baggage carousel? Boondoggle lanyards are the perfect easy-to-make craft that will definitely help you identify your bag at the airport. You can customize the colors and patterns on your lanyard to create the best combination for you. This tutorial will show you how to make a “box” pattern using plastic string, also called boondoggle string. My favorite thing about these lanyards is that they are so versatile. I love to put mine on my suitcases, and they also make great keychains for backpacks, purses, and on your car or house keys. 

• Two (2) different colors of boondoggle plastic string, 3 ft or longer in length
• Scissors 
• Keyring (optional)

• Measure one strand of boondoggle of each color at least 3 feet or longer. You can adjust the size of the string depending on how long you want your lanyard to be. 3 feet of string makes about a 5 inch lanyard.
• Cut the strings. You should have two strands of boondoggle–one in each color. In this tutorial, I am using pink and green strings. Pink will be referred to as “color 1” and green will be referred to as “color 2.”

Fold the two strings in half, making the ends meet. 

Place one string on top of the other so that they are perpendicular to each other or in the shape of a cross. Here, I placed the color 1 string on top of the color 2 string. 

Make two loops with the color 2 string. It can be helpful to make these loops around your index finger to help keep their shape. The two loops should be parallel to each other.

• Using the color 1 string, take one end and thread the string over the first color 2 loop and then under the second color 2 loop.
• Take the other end of the color 1 string and again thread it over the first color 2 loop and then under the second color 2 loop. 

• Carefully slip your finger out from under the loops and pull on all four strings, but make sure to not pull too tight because then the stitch will not keep its shape.
• After slightly pulling the strings to tighten them, you should be left with a weaving-like stitch, similar to a checkerboard. 

Repeat steps 4-6 until the lanyard is to your desired length or until you run out of string to work with. Make sure you have at least 2 inches of leftover string to finish off your lanyard. 

• When you are finished with your lanyard, tie a knot to secure it.
• Trim off the excess string, but be sure to leave a small amount at the bottom so that the knot doesn’t come undone.  

If desired, you can add a keyring to the top of your lanyard. There should be a strip of color 2 string located at the top of your lanyard, you can attach a keyring there. 

You are now finished with your box plastic string lanyard! You can attach it to a keychain or a bag zipper to proudly display your creation.