A plaited Key Strap from Macramé Cord

1.   For a 80cm long key strap: Cut three (3) 3m cords and feed them all through the loop on the swivel clasp so that they are now doubled over (6 cords). NB: a different coloured bead is threaded onto each cord in these instructions. This is merely for differentiating each cord.

2.   Move the green cord over the black and under the yellow cords.

3.   Move the brown cord to the right. Move the blue cord under all the other four (4) cords, placing it to the right, next to the brown cord. (Remember to tighten the plait as you go along).

4.   Move the blue cord back to the left; i.e. over the red and under the black cords. Tighten the plait.

5.   Move the green cord to the left. Move the brown cord to the left, underneath all the other four (4) cords, placing it next to the green cord. Continue by moving the brown cord to the right, i.e. over the yellow and underneath the blue cords.

6.   Move the red cord to the right. Move the green cord underneath all the other four (4) cords, placing it next to the red cord. Continue by moving the green cord to the left; i.e. over the black and underneath the brown cords.

7.   Move the yellow cord to the left. Move the red cord underneath all the other four (4) cords, placing it next to the yellow cord. Continue by moving the red cord to the right; i.e. over the blue and underneath the green cords.

8.   Move the black cord to the right. Move the yellow cord underneath all the other four (4) cords, placing it next to the black cord. Continue by moving the yellow cord to the left; i.e. over the brown and underneath the red cords.

9.   Move the blue cord to the left. Move the black cord underneath all the other four (4) cords, placing it next to the blue cord. Continue by moving the black cord to the right; i.e. over the green and underneath the yellow cords.

10.   Continue the plaiting as described (steps 2-9) until the desired length is reached.

11.   Feed the ends through a key ring and trim. Use a lighter to melt and secure the ends by pushing them into the plait.

12.   Hide the joint: Cut a piece of cord, placing one end where the key ring is. Make a 3cm loop to the left and wrap the cord around the joint from the left towards the right until it is hidden. Finish: Push the cord end inside the loop and pull at the opposite end to “lock”.

Another example   -