MAKING A BOX LANYARD

Dan Aglione
Glenn DeAngelis
Tommy Pantano

April 5, 2011
English 202C
Section 032
INTRODUCTION
Making lanyards is a fun and easy hobby for craft enthusiasts of all ages. The
activity originated in France in the late 1950’s as an arts and crafts project for children.
Since then, lanyard making has reached out to summer camps and classrooms because
of its simplicity and creative appeal.

The technique itself is comprised of interweaving multiples strands of gimp – a

plastic, thread-like material that comes in all different colors. The gimp can be stitched
in many different patterns, ranging from basic to very complex. Lanyards require very
few materials, are safe to make, and can be stitched anywhere. The time needed varies
with the length of the lanyard; shorter lanyards (≈ 3 inches) can be completed within
fifteen minutes.

This instruction set will describe in detail how to create a box stitch, one of the
simplest types of lanyard designs. It will begin by listing the needed materials and quick
tips. The document then divides into three primary categories: the initiation stitch, the
body stitches, and the termination knot. The initiation stitch illustrates how to begin
the lanyard with two strands of gimp. The body stitch outlines the repeated pattern that
builds the middle of the lanyard. Finally, the termination knot shows how to end the
body at a desired length. Upon completion, the product can be turned into a colorful
keychain, bracelet, or other small trinket.

YOU WILL NEED…

 2 spools of plastic gimp (different colors)

 Scissors

 Ruler
QUICK TIPS
Before you begin, it is important to understand some basic guidelines to follow
when stitching a box lanyard. These items will save you time and effort and will also
guarantee a quality product.

 Be sure to keep the gimp untwisted during entire process.

 Pull tight after each stitch to ensure a strong, uniform lanyard.
 If at any time a mistake is made, or the gimp becomes twisted, simply undo the
last stitch and try again.

INITIATION STITCH

STEP 1
Cut two strands of gimp (one for each color),
about 18 inches in length.

This length is easy to work with and will

Figure 1: Starting gimp strands
make a 3 inch lanyard in about
15 minutes.

Note: For larger lanyards, simply begin with longer strands of gimp.

STEP 2
Take one strand and fold it over your right index finger at the midpoint.
STEP 3
Grab the end of the strand positioned behind your
finger and wrap it around one more time so that there
are two loops separated by roughly ½ inch.

The gimp should now be hanging down on both sides

of your finger, with the right end in front and the left
Figure 2: Two loop setup
end behind.

STEP 4
Feed the second strand of gimp horizontally under the
left and right loops.

The second piece of gimp should be pulled through

such that its midpoint is between the loops.

Figure 3: Horizontal strand in place

STEP 5
Caution: When completing this step, make sure the bent end
is below the original horizontal end. The proper orientation
is shown in Figure 4.

Bend the right end of the horizontal piece backwards,

and thread it over the right loop and under the left
loop.
Figure 4: Midway of box stitch
STEP 6
Caution: Be sure to prevent the horizontal gimp from crossing
over itself. See Figure 5 for clarity.

Take the other end of the horizontal strand and

repeat Step 5, this time going over the left loop and
under the right loop.
Figure 5: Box alignment

STEP 7
Gently slide the entire loop assembly off of your
index finger.

This is in preparation for pulling the strands

together for a tight initiation stitch.

Figure 6: Initiation stitch before tightening

STEP 8
Pull all four strands simultaneously to form a tight box.

At this point, the initiation stitch is complete.

Figure 7: Initiation Stitch

BODY STITCHES

STEP 9
Take a strand of gimp and make a loop by pulling it over
the top of the box to the opposite side, securing the loop
to the box with your finger.

The loop should be approximately ½ inch in diameter.

Figure 8: Single loop setup

STEP 10
Caution: Make sure that the loops do not intersect each other
when performing this step.

Pull the other strand of the same color over the top of
the box to the opposite side to make a second loop,
again being sure to secure the loop with your finger. Figure 9: Parallel loop setup

Now there should be 2 parallel loops of the same color and same size.

STEP 11
Take an end of a non-loop strand of gimp and thread it
over the near loop and under the far loop, in a manner
similar to Step 5.

Figure 10: Over under

STEP 12
Caution: Make sure that the gimp remains flat or a stitch
will become twisted when tightened.

Take the other end of the strand used in Step 11

and thread it once more over the near loop and
under the far loop.
Figure 11: Body stitch pattern

Become comfortable with this process because it will be repeated many times to form
the body of the lanyard.

STEP 13
Tighten all of the strands simultaneously as was done in Step 8.

It is important to tighten the strands so that the product builds consistently.

STEP 14
Repeat Steps 9-12 until desired length, being sure
to leave at least 5 inches of unstitched gimp after
the final body stitch.

Note: Not leaving enough gimp at the end will

Figure 12: Lanyard body
make it difficult to tie the termination knot.
TERMINATION KNOT
STEP 15
With all four strands, make a standard knot as seen in
Figure 13, pulling tightly and positioning the knot as
close to the body stitching as possible.

This is the easiest way to sustain the body stitching.

Figure 13: Termination knot

STEP 16
Cut off any excess gimp, leaving enough so that
the knot will not come undone
(≈ 2 inches).

You Are Finished!

Figure 14: Completed box lanyard

CONCLUSION
Now that you have completed your first lanyard, you can enhance your skills by
making key chains or trinkets for your friends and family. See if you can teach them
how to make box lanyards so they can share the craft to others. With enough practice,
you should challenge yourself and try stitching more advanced lanyard patterns.
Instruction sets and videos can easily be found on the internet and in arts and crafts
books. Give them a try and be sure to investigate new ideas. Explore your creativity by
trying to invent your own patterns!

These intricate stitches shown below can offer some inspiration.

Photos courtesy of www.laneyards.com