Beaded Lobster KeyChain Pattern - Free Beaded Crawfish Keyring Pattern - Fun Beaded Key Rings

Materials Needed:

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You will need one connector for the top of your lobster keychain, such as:
Lanyard hook,
or any type of
Key Ring.
Choose whichever style works best for you you plan to use your finished creation.

Cord:

You will need about 2 1/2 yards of cord for one crawfish/lobster.
There are lots of different types of cords you can use but for best results you will want a cord that is not thicker than 1mm thick because you will be feeding it through some of the rows multiple times and a thicker cord will be difficult to weave through the beads.
If you'd like your lobster to hold a firmer shape, you can use a thinner cord and weave a little wire or a pipe cleaner into your keychain sea creature to help it keep it's shape that way. This is completely optional, but it can help support the claws and body shape. Either way works just fine but you can experiment with it to see which method you prefer.

One good choice is
Monofilament Cord.
Other good choices would be jute or hemp cord, leather necklace cord, rattail cord, shoelaces, ribbon, paracord, or a strong jewelry cord like tigertail.

For our lively little sample lobster, we used a 1mm red leather round cord.

Beads Needed:

 99 - Red Pony Beads.

 2 - Black Pony Beads for the eyes.

Other Supplies Needed:

* Glue
* Scissors

Optional Supplies for Extra Firmness:

If you would like a stiffer lobster/crawfish that holds its shape more firmly, you can include a little beading or jewelry wire or a red pipe cleaner with your cord to help keep it's shape
 Beading Wire
OR
 Pipe Cleaners
These can be woven into the finished design to help support the claws and body.

Instructions

1. Attach the Cord to the Key Ring

Find the half way point of the cord or wire you are using and attach it onto the key ring using a Lark's Head knot as shown in photo.
Make sure both cord ends are even before you begin beading.

 

2. Begin Weaving the Beads

Begin weaving the beads onto the cords by carefully following the pattern diagram near the bottom of the instructions, in the section titled, "Understanding the Diagram". You can click the pattern image on the website to enlarge it for easier viewing while you work.
As you work, gently tighten the cords after each row so the beads sit snugly together without twisting. Taking your time during the first few rows will help your lobster keep a neat, even shape.

3. Create the Claws

After completing the first three rows of your crawfish (lobster) body, begin forming one of the pinchers/claws using the diagram on the right.
Pay close attention to the cord path between rows 4 and 5. One side of the cord travels back upward through the center rows before continuing forward. This important criss-cross weaving helps lock the bead rows together and gives the lobster added stability.
Repeat the same process for the second claw.

4. Finish and Secure the Ends

When the bead pattern is complete, the cord ends should exit on opposite sides of the lobster.
Tie each end off and then to hide the ends neatly, weave a little of the excess cord back through your bottom row to conceal the ends and then trim any excess.
Apply a tiny dot of glue to each knot to keep them secure and allow to dry thoroughly.

5. Add Optional Support

If you are using wire or pipe cleaners for extra firmness, carefully weave them through the inside rows of the lobster (crawfish) body and claws.
Usually, adding support to one row in each claw is enough to help them hold their shape nicely.

Helpful Tips

• Seed beads or E beads can be substituted for pony beads to create a much smaller lobster charm. These would make great earrings or necklace.
• Metallic, glow-in-the-dark, pearl, or transparent pony beads can create fun special effects.
• If your lobster feels loose, gently pull the cords tighter row by row before tying off.

Understanding the Diagram

The illustration below uses green and blue lines to show you how the two cord ends weave through the beads. Your cord, of course, will be all the same color.

Have fun creating your beaded sea creature friend!