Stylish key chains are an easy way to spice up your backpack, purse, or keys. Homemade key chains can be personalized to give as a gift, or keep for yourself. You can even make matching ones for you and your friends!

I decided that making custom key chains should:

Not require a ton of supplies,
Be easy to make,
NOT REQUIRE HOURS OF YOUR TIME.

I've been making these since elementary school, and they are super simple so that literally ANYONE can make them.

In this instructable I'm going to share how to create candy stripe key chains.

Supplies

Scissors
Tape
Embroidery floss
Key ring
A flat surface to work on

Step 1: Getting Started

The first thing you need to do to start you key chain is cut the embroidery floss. Cut about an arms length of the material, and do the same to the other pieces of floss. You should have three strands of embroidery floss all about the same length.

Next, take the three strands and fold them in half. Create a loop knot where the embroidery floss folds.

To create a loop knot:

Wrap the embroidery floss around two fingers
Take the tail end of the floss and pull it through the loop you created
Pull to tighten

Step 2: Knotting

Before you begin knotting your key chain, you must secure your embroidery floss to the surface you will be working on. Take a piece of tape and secure the loop to a table or the floor. You should have six strands of embroidery floss (two of each color). Position the strands like the picture above. For example, if your three colors are blue, pink, and white, position the six strands in the order blue, pink, white, blue, pink, white. Now it's time to begin knotting your key chain!

To knot your key chain, following the steps below and reference the picture above:

Take the first strand on the left and create a number four over the strand to the right of it.
Pull the tail end of the four under the strand and pull tight to create a knot.
Do the same thing again on the same strand of embroidery floss.
Using the same strand you made the four with previously, repeat the process on the other strands until you reach the end.

After you reach the end, repeat the same process starting with the strand all the way to the left.

Step 3: Put on Some Music and Keep Knotting!

The candy stripe key chain should only take you about 15 minutes to make, so put on some music in the meantime!

You should see a pattern form like in the image above.

Step 4: Finishing the Key Chain

Now it's time to finish your custom key chain!

Once the candy stripe has reached your desired length, braid the excess embroidery floss and create another loop knot.

Take the tape off of the top loop, and use your scissors to cut the loop. Now that your loop is cut in half, take your key ring and use two parts of the loop to tie it on.

Congratulations! You now have your very own custom candy stripe key chain! You can attach this to your backpack, purse, keys, or give them as gifts.