Materials

• You'll need plastic lanyard cord, which is available at craft stores. This is the most common lanyard material, but you can also use leather, hemp or ribbon. You'll also need scissors and something to hold your lanyard down while braiding--a clipboard works well, or you can tape your lanyard to your work surface.
  
  

Getting Started

• Cut two equal lengths of cord. For your practice project, make them about 2 feet long. A lanyard that goes all the way around your neck will require more cord, but this should be enough for a short key chain. Fold each piece in half, then cross one over the other so you have two pieces of each strand hanging down (four total). Tie a knot at the top to keep the strands in place.
  
  

Braiding

• Spread the four strands apart so one is pointing up, one is down, one is left and one is right. Hold the left strand with one finger, and pull it over the top strand. Cross the top strand over the right strand, then cross the right strand over the bottom strand. Finally, cross the bottom strand over the left strand, and tuck it under the looped top strand. Pull each strand tight to make the first knot. Repeat these steps until you get to the end of your cord (leave a few inches for tying off), then tie a knot to secure.
  
  

Variations

• This is just the basic lanyard knot; there are dozens of styles using various numbers of strands. Experiment with lengths, types of cord and colors to create your perfect lanyard.