Lanyards are fun and practical crafts for people of all ages. You can make some to hang on key chains, belt loops, and even water bottles. If you've started a lanyard and are nearing the end, you may be wondering how to finish it. As long as you tie one more knot, tie little bows, or use a lighter, you'll be able to finish making a lanyard in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finish with a crown or square knot
Step 1. Tie one more knot, but don't tighten it
Use the knot you were using to make the lanyard. Then tie one more knot but leave it loose so that you can continue working with the strands.
Step 2. Wrap a strand of a certain color around its same color, on the opposite side
Take a strand of a certain color and wrap it around the one that is on the opposite side and is the same color. For example, if the colors are black and green, hold one green strand in your hand and wrap it around the other green strand on the opposite side.
If you are using more than two colors, wrap one strand around another that is on the opposite side
Step 3. Hold the strand in your hand and lead it up through the center of the knot
Grab the strand in your hand and push it up through the center of the lanyard knot. This will secure it in a kind of small loop.
You don't have to adjust this tie yet. Keep it loose so that you can work with the other strands
Step 4. Wrap a strand of another color around your same color, on the opposite side
Take a strand of the opposite color to the one you just used and wrap it around its same color, on the other side.
For instance:
If the two colors are black and green, and you just worked with green, choose one of the black strands and wrap it around the black strand on the opposite side.
Step 5. Hold the strand in your hand and lead it up through the center of the knot
Grab the strand in your hand and push it up through the center of the knot to create another small loop. This strand may be more difficult to push as there are now more strands to go through.
Step 6. Repeat the process with the strands that were loose
There will be more loose strands after you make the first two loops. Repeat the steps: wrap the strands around the corresponding color and push them through the center of the knot.
If you are working with more than four strands, the bow will be slightly thicker
Step 7. Pull all four strands until the loop is tight
Pull those that are loose, with a little force, until they are taut and cannot be easily moved. You may have to pull one at a time until they are snug.
Make sure the loop is tight enough that the strands don't separate, but not so tight that it causes the lanyard to wrinkle or warp
Step 8. Cut excess strands to desired length
Use sharp scissors to cut off any excess strands that you don't want. You can leave them long or cut them at the base of the final knot, depending on how you want the lanyard to look.
Method 2 of 3: Finish with a Three Strand Knot
Step 1. Make one last knot, but don't tighten it
Use the same three-strand knot that you used to make the lanyard. Then tie one more knot, but don't tighten it.
Step 2. Wrap each strand around the closest one
Take each one separately and wrap it around the next strand, clockwise. Keep each wrap loose, so you can continue working with them.
Wrapping in a clockwise direction is the easiest way to follow the strands and remember which ones you have already worked with
Step 3. Grab each strand and bring it up through the center, one at a time
Hold a strand and guide the end up through the center of the loop. Pull it all the way, but don't adjust it all the way. Do this with each strand.
Step 4. Pull all the strands so they are snug
Hold the three strands in your hand and pull them until the loop is tight. You may have to pull each strand separately.
Tip:
Pull the loop just enough that it won't come undone, but not enough to fold the lanyard.
Method 3 of 3: Burn the ends of the strands
Step 1. Trim excess string to desired length
Your lanyard may have excess strands if you haven't used all of the material. Use sharp scissors to cut it to the length you want, in a straight line.
Tip:
generally, a lanyard will not have a lot of extra loose material, if it does.
Step 2. Hold the lighter flame close to one strand at the end of the lanyard
The lighter is too hot to keep its flame right on the lanyard without burning it. Hold the flame near the end until you see the material start to melt.
You can use a Bic lighter or a long neck lighter. Bic lighters are easier to handle as they are smaller
Step 3. Melt the end of the lanyard for about two seconds
The lighter flame will be hot enough to melt the end of the lanyard in about two seconds. Once you notice that the material becomes shiny and covers the frayed ends of the cut lanyard, you can remove the flame.
- Don't keep the lighter on the lanyard for a long time, or it could catch on fire. If this is the case, quickly run it through water to put out the flames.
- Keep the end of the lanyard toward the bottom of the lighter flame, where the fire is not as hot.
Step 4. Let the lanyard cool down
Before touching or handling it, let it cool down for about a minute. The lighter will have become very hot on the end, so make sure it is safe to touch before you start using it.