Spirals Key Chain

This is a great project for Beginners. It is a simple, easy to make project using a heavier gauge cord
than usual for my micro macrame projects. The beads are fewer and larger for easier handling while
practicing the knots needed for this fob. Yet, there is a lot of room for creativity. I offer tips for
variations at the end of this tutorial.

I provide continued support and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Find answers and
post questions at www.knotgypsydesigns.com. Just click on "Patterns and Kits" under "WorkShop" in the
Index. Scroll to this "Spirals Key Chain Pattern" listing to find or post applicable comments. Or, you
may email me at knotgypsy@sbcglobal.net.

Copyright 2007 Donna Littlewood, KnotGypsy Designs

 Materials Needed

• 1 ea split ring (key ring). The one I used was 1 inch in diameter, but you can use most any size you
wish.
• 4 lengths bonded twine, each about 3 feet long. You could try other cord, just make sure one strand
will pass through the holes in the size 8 seed beads, and that 4 strands will pass through the holes in the
focal beads .
• 1 large (about 1 inch) plastic focal bead. It should be flattened (ovals, triangles, squares, etc) and
must have a hole large enough for 4 strands of cord (whichever you use) to pass through.
• 1 smaller plastic bead. Pony beads are ideal, but what ever bead you choose, it must have a hole big
enough for 8 strands of cord used to pass through.
• 24 or more size 8 seed beads.
• Clear finger nail polish.
• Dressmaker pins or T-pins to pin work to work surface.
• Work surface: I like my old Puzzle Pad mouse pad, it is 1/2 inch thick and works very well. Alternatives
include a cork (bulletin type) board, macrame board, anything that you can secure the top of the piece
and the bottom of the holding cords to.
• Glue. I used Jewel Glue by Delta, it is a glue made to put gems, sequins, etc onto fabric. It is washable,
flexible, and dries clear.
• Scissors

Notes:

• I got the bonded twine (also called macrame beading cord) at Fire Mountain Gems
( www.firemountaingems.com). See "Helpful Hints and Resources" for more information.
• Knots used in this project are Half Knot, Square Knot, Half-Hitch Chain, and Overhand Knot. See "Basic
Knots" on how to make these knots.
 Steps

Step 1: Find the center of all 4 strands of cord. Pin them to work surface as
shown, with the pin marking center of cords. At the top, pin all 4 strands to work
surface. At the bottom, pin only 2 strands, leaving 2 strands free to be knotting
cords.

Step 2: Make about 5 or 6 Square Knots, depending on size of key ring (split
ring).
 Step 3: Unpin work, thread all 4 strands through split ring (key ring). Double
them over, you now have 8 strands. Pin the split ring and the 4 strands in the
middle (holding cords) to work surface. You now have 2 knotting cords on each
side. Treat each pair as a single strand.

Step 4: Make Half-Knots (whichever side suits you) until you have about 1 to 2
inches of spiraled rope. (How long to make this depends on your taste, and the size
of your focal bead. Just hold the beads up as if they were strung and see if you like
the way it looks.)

Step 5: Thread all 8 strands of cord through the smaller plastic bead. At this
point, I like to unpin my work and swap holding and knotting cords.
 Step 6: String the 4 shortest cords (now the holding cords)
through the large focal bead and repin to work surface. This gives
you more cord to knot with. Make 2 to 3 Half Knots (whichever
looks best to you).

Now take one pair of knotting cords and make a Half-Hitch Chain
the length of your plastic focal bead. It should barely clear the
bead so as to make a nice snug fit.

Do the same with the other pair of knotting cords.

Step 7: Make a square knot. Unpin holding cords and make one Overhand
Knot (using all 8 strands of cord).

This takes a little practice. Using the pin (I am using a long hat pin) and your
thumb, slide Overhand Knot up near the Square Knot previously made. If you
find that some of the strands are loose, don't worry. Just pull each strand
tight in turn until all are uniform. Remember to leave the pin inside the knot
until you are satisfied. That way, if you just don't like the way the knot is going,
it is easy to take the knot out and start over. With practice, you will get the
hang of it.
 Step 8: Taking one strand at a time, string on a size 8 (or 6) seed
bead, and make an Overhand Knot where you want the bead to
stop. String another bead, make another knot...For this project, I
put about 3 to 4 beads per strand. Make sure knots are nice and
tight. When all strands have 3 to 4 beads, put a drop of glue on
each end knot. Let dry, and trim the ends. I like to leave about
1/8 inch tail on this free and easy tassel.

Variations:

This project can easily be varied by increasing or decreasing the number of beads used. For example:

• Put the smaller bead below instead of above the large focal bead.
• Use more than one focal bead.
• Add beads to the spiral by stringing a size 6 seed bead on each knotting cord then making 2 Half Knots;
and repeating until you have the length you desire.
• Use more (or less) seed beads on the tassel.

It can also be varied by how long you make the spiral rope part of the fob.