Two strand square braid

These are instructions with pictures for weaving a 2 strand square braid lanyard. This is a very convenient lanyard for attaching to keychains, etc. The materials needed are 4'-10' of lace, a split ring or snap that you want to attach to the lanyard, and either epoxy or superglue, to finish the bottom of the lace. In the example illustrated below four feet of lace per side was used. The more lace you use, of course, the longer your lanyard will be.

As shown in Fig 1 fold the two strands of lace in half to determine the middle. Arrange the two strands in a "plus sign" (+) with the horizontal strand (the black strand in the Fig) on top of the vertical strand (the red strand in the Fig). Put the split ring or snap hook on the vertical strand of lace and move it to the centre.
 

Fold the top half (Fig 2) of the vertical strand A of lace down and to the left of the bottom half of the vertical strand C. So that it crosses over the top of the horizontal strand (B-D).

Next, as in Fig 3, cross the left half, of the horizontal strand B, to the right, over the top of both of the vertical strands, (A-C) below the right half of the horizontal strand.

Figure 4 shows how the right leg of the vertical strands go up over the top of both of the horizontal strands.
 

Now, in Fig 5, cross the top leg of the horizontal strands up over the right vertical strand and under the left vertical strand.

As shown in Fig 6 pull the strands really tight, making the first square braid in your weave, the foundation for the rest of the lanyard. You will need to pull each square as tight as possible before you weave the next square.

Next, Fig 7, fold the top leg of the vertical strand straight down and the bottom leg of the vertical strand straight up. They will cross over the square braid in the middle, but they do not cross over each other.

Figure 8, cross the right leg of the horizontal strand OVER the right leg of the vertical strand and UNDER the left leg of the vertical strand. You can pull it through most of the way, but do not pull it tight yet.
 

Figure 9, fold B over C and through loop on A. Fold D over A and through loop on C.

Pull ends evenly as shown in Fig 10 until the knot tightens.

Next, as shown in Fig 11, moving in a clockwise direction, fold C over D, then A over B. Continue by folding B over A going through the loop on C. Followed by folding D over C and going through the loop on A. Now you can pull the ends evenly until knot is tightened.

Continue braiding, repeating the steps in Figs 8, 9, 10 and 11 until you have the finished article as shown in Fig 12.

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