Boondoggle Instructions
-Four Strand Spiral-
Materials list:
1- 9 foot length of plastic lace
3- 5 foot lengths of plastic lace
1- split metal key ring
1- Pony Bead
Super Glue
*I prefer to use a plastic lace called REXLACE that is manufactured by
PEPPERELL BRAIDING COMPANY, Pepperell, MA
I use this brand of lace because it tends to stay in place as I work. Large spools are available at most craft stores. Plastic lace is also readily found at Scout Shops. Our local Boy Scout shop carries a larger variety than our local Girl Scout shop.
BEGINNING THE PROJECT
*In these instructions you will note that I have cut all ends short so that you can view the orientation of the strands as I work.
Start by wrapping the 9-foot strand of lace around your finger, centering the strand on your finger so that both ends are the same length. This is your starter strand.
Place three working strands, the five-foot lengths, under this first starter strand. Center the strands so that all tail ends are the same length.
*Once again I have cut them short so that you can view them better in this on-screen format.
Grasp the top working strand from the left-hand side and weave it over the left-side starter strand and under the right-side starter strand.
*Be very careful to keep your strands from twisting as you work. Twisted strands result in a rather strange looking end product.
Grasp second working strand from the right hand-side and weave it over the right-side starter strand and under the left-side starter strand.
Repeat with middle working strand as in the following photographs.
Repeat this pattern for the third working strand and you should have achieved this
Pull all strand ends gently as you remove the entire project from your index finger.
This is what the reverse side of your boondoggle will look like:
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE DONE THE HARD PART
You are ready to:
BEGIN THE SPIRAL
Begin by crossing the upper-left starting strand across the work diagonally to the right of the lower working strand.
Grasp the lower -left starting strand and bring it up to become the top working strand
Begin the weaving the working strands.
This is done in much the same way as when you were starting the project on your finger.
*Now it should be much easier because there is less to hold on to.
First round completed!
Now just keep repeating the pattern beginning like this:
*Return to the instructions where it says "Begin the Spiral"
*It is very important to snug up the project as you complete each round by gently pulling on all ends.
FINISHING
I use Super Glue to secure the ends. Open up the last woven area slightly and insert a drop or two.
Quickly tighten down the strands by pulling evenly, and gently on all ends.
*If you pull too tight the strands will break.
Slip a pony bead over the ends and then tie and over-hand knot to secure.
Clip plastic ends at an angle and your work is done!
IT IS POSSIBLE TO START THE PROJECT ON A KEY RING.
WORD OF WARNING
-This requires extreme coordination.
Don't even attempt to start with the key ring in place until you've done this a few times.
THE BEST METHOD FOR BEGINNERS
Insert a split key ring after the project has been completed by
gently opening up a space using a pointed object such a knitting needle and slipping the key ring through the space.
© Copyright 1999 by Laura Howell
