how to start a lanyard?

Question

how do i start a two string lanyard with boondoggle/gimp string? and how do i make a three and four string? and where can i buy it?

(this stuff): http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/7/77/180px-Gimpthreadspools.JPG

Answer 1

You can buy the materials in any craft/hobby store. They are normally in the childrens section or the leatherworking section.
To make a four string lanyard, you take about 1 yard each of 2 different colors. String it through your clip of choice (i have used the small metal ones personally) and fold it into 2 equal halves (so that you now have 4 strings). Clip it onto something sturdy (even the knee of your pant leg) and splay the four strands out like a fan (eg. if you are using black and white, you would lay it out black - white - black - white). Take the farthest left string and bring it to the right, across only the middle two. Then take the farthest right and bring it left across the middle 2 (like you are braiding hair, but with one extra string) Continue with that pattern (making sure that it's nice and tight) until you can make a loop that fits around your head. Then do like 2 or three more inches. Tie a knot at the end of the braid. now separate the four strands into cross. With the top string, loop down. With the bottom string, loop up. Now take the right string, and pull it through the loop (over the top of the other string) and do the same with the left (over the string and into the loop). Pull it tight and it should make a box like stich. Now do the same thing again, but before pulling it tight pull the end of the long string through the middle. Now keep doing this around the end until you have an inch or 2 of this box stich. To finish it, you take and trim the ends down and melt them (with a lighter or match) then stick the softened plastic string back onto itself. There you go... if you have any questions, let me know!

Answer 2

There are several websites with instructions:
http://www.homestead.com/stfdigcreektribe/files/htm/boxstitch.html
http://www.bluemoon.net/~dotoran/the_projects.htm
Or you can use instructions for scoubidou, there are many sites for that:
http://www.scoubiguide.co.uk/
http://www.yoarra.nl/eng/