Boring Keychains No More! 10 STEPS to Create a STYLISH Macrame Lanyard

Lose Your Keys Often? This 10-Step Macrame Lanyard Keeps Them Close

Ever look down at your keychain and think, "Wow, this could use a serious upgrade"?

I get it—most keychains are more “blah” than beautiful.

But here’s the fun part: you don’t have to settle for boring!

With just a few basic materials, a couple of beginner knots, and a splash of creativity, you can make a macrame keychain lanyard that’s as stylish as it is practical.

This project is designed especially for beginners—whether you’ve never tried macrame before or are looking to branch out into new designs, this lanyard is the perfect start.

Plus, I’ll walk you through each step so that by the end, you’ll not only have a gorgeous boho accessory but a handful of new skills you can carry into any future macrame project.

Ready to give those keys a serious makeover? Let’s get knotting!

What is a Macrame Keychain Lanyard?

Alright, let’s talk about these adorable little keychain lanyards!

A macrame keychain lanyard is a blend of art and practicality—it’s like a tiny, beautiful rope masterpiece that keeps your keys handy and looks good doing it.

Crafted through the simple art of knotting, these lanyards aren’t just functional—they’re a way to showcase your creativity.

Attach them to your keys, clip them to a bag, or loop them around your wrist.

However you use it, it’s a stylish touch that’s totally unique to you!

For this tutorial, we’re going with a leaf-inspired pattern.

It’s got that nature-loving vibe and a little hint of boho beauty—perfect for anyone wanting to add a bit of artistry to their everyday items.

Macrame Knots You Need to Know

To get started with this macrame keychain lanyard, you'll need to know three basic knots:

1. Lark's Head Knot: This is the go-to knot for attaching your cords to a ring or dowel. The Lark's Head knot is simple but strong, giving your design a stable foundation to build on.

2. Double Half Hitch Knot: A versatile and essential knot in macrame, the Double Half Hitch Knot is used to create lines, shapes, and patterns in your design. It’s a fundamental knot you’ll use in many projects, adding both structure and style.

3. Gathering Knot: Often used as a finishing knot, the Gathering Knot neatly pulls cords together, creating a clean, wrapped look at the end of your project.

Learning these knots is key to building your macrame skills.

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel creating all kinds of beautiful patterns and designs!

Interested in More Macrame Knots?

If you want to add more knots to your macrame designs, check out my free resource, "50 Macrame Knots & Sennit Guide."

It's packed with easy, step-by-step instructions to help you improve your skills and try new creative projects.

Access it here.

Important Macrame Terms for Beginners

Before we begin, we should review a few important terms used in macrame.

This will help you understand the techniques more easily, follow patterns confidently, and set a strong foundation for your macrame journey.

• Knots: Macrame involves various knots, like the overhand knot and alternating overhand knot. Learning these basic knots is key to building a solid foundation. Check the "Macrame Knots You Need to Know" section for the knots used in this pattern.
• Cords: The primary material in macrame is cords made from cotton, jute, nylon, or synthetic fibers. They come in different thicknesses and colors. You can learn more about macrame cords with our "Macrame ESSENTIALS: Everything You Need—Cord, Tools, & Materials" post.
• Loop: A loop is formed by crossing the cord over itself to create a ring-like shape. Loops are essential in many macrame designs.
• Fringe: The loose ends of cords that hang down, adding a decorative element. The fringe can be left as is or trimmed to your desired length. Want to learn more about fringe? Here's "My Top 5 Secrets for Creating PERFECTLY Styled Fringe" post you might find helpful.
• Anchor Cord: The fixed cord or structure to which other cords are attached. It provides stability and support for your design. 
• Working Cord: The cord that is actively manipulated to create knots and patterns throughout the project.
• Sennit: A series of knots grouped together to form a pattern or part of your macrame project.
• Frays and Tassels: The loose ends of your cords are often used intentionally as decorative elements like frays or tassels in your design. 

Macrame Lanyard Cord and Materials

 

For this macrame lanyard, I used a 3mm single-strand twist macrame cord in the cozy, earthy color Cappuccino from our Rainbow Cord Collection.

Macrame Cord

For this macrame lanyard, I used a 3mm single-strand twist macrame cord in the cozy, earthy color Cappuccino from our Rainbow Cord Collection.

Lobster Clasp D-Ring

Your lobster clasp D-ring will be both the base of your macrame design and the key holder. When choosing a lobster clasp, here are a few things to consider.

If you want to get the best results, I’d recommend sticking with these materials.

If you don’t have the exact size or type, use what you’ve got.

And if you swap out the type of cord (like using braided instead of single-strand cotton), it’ll totally change the texture and feel of your finished project.

• Thicker cords? Expect chunkier, bolder knots.
• Thinner cords? You’ll get a more delicate, intricate look.

And if you swap out the type of cord (like using braided instead of single-strand cotton), it’ll totally change the texture and feel of your finished project.

Macrame Tools

You will also need some essential tools:

• Scissors
• Measuring Tape

Now that we’ve got the cord, materials, and tools sorted out, let’s dive into the details of how to make your very own macrame lanyard!

Macrame Keychain Lanyard Details

Skill Level:

• Beginner

Completed Size:

• 19’’ completed (21 Leaf patterns)

Completion Time:

• 1 to 2 hours depending on skill level

Materials Needed (for 1 unit):

• 3mm single-strand cotton cord
• Lobster clasp with D-ring

Cotton Lengths Needed:

• 4 x 700cm (276’’)

How to Macrame a Keychain Lanyard | Video Tutorial

How to Macrame a Keychain Lanyard | Step-by-Step Guide

*Note: We recommend following the tutorial video for more detailed instructions and to achieve the best results.

This will provide additional guidance and clarity as you work through each step.

Step 1: 

• Attach all four 700cm cords to the bottom of the D-Ring using Lark's Head knots.

Step 2:

• About an inch down from the D-Ring, use the two middle cords to make a diagonal Double Half Hitch knot.

 

 

Step 3:

• Create three diagonal Double Half Hitch knots to the right.
• Then, make three diagonal Double Half Hitch knots to the left.

Step 4:

• Using the middle cords on both sides as anchor cords, make three Double Half Hitch knots diagonally to the right, then three to the left.

Step 5: 

• Add another row of Double Half Hitch knots on each side below the previous row.

Step 6: 

• Bring the far-left and far-right cords to the center and make one Double Half Hitch knot to join them in the middle.

Step 7: 

• Split the cords in half to begin a new leaf pattern.

Step 8:

• Continue creating leaf patterns until you have a total of 21 leaf sections. 

Step 9: 

• Cut a 70cm cord from the bottom fringe and use it to make a Gathering knot at the end of the lanyard.

  

Step 10: 

• Trim off any excess fringe at the bottom to tidy up the design.

And there you have it—a beautiful macrame keychain lanyard, handmade by you!

From selecting your cords to tying each knot, you've created something functional and stylish that’s uniquely yours. 

If this project sparked a love for macrame, there are endless possibilities ahead—each knot you master opens doors to new designs and exciting projects.

So, keep practicing, exploring, and trying new patterns.

We’d love to see your finished lanyard! Snap a pic, share it on social, and tag us @bochiknot so we can celebrate your macrame journey with you.

Here’s to more creative projects and the joy of handmade crafts—happy knotting!