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Woven key rings are an excellent craft activity for camp or scout meetings, suitable for both boys and girls. Not only are they fun to make, but they also provide a valuable lesson in weaving that can be applied to other creative projects. Additionally, this activity allows young people to personalize their key rings with different colors, patterns, and materials, making it a unique and meaningful keepsake from their experience.

Trivia:

Make fire starters with cotton pads and petroleum jelly: To easily start a fire, coat cotton pads with petroleum jelly and store them in a waterproof container. When you need to start a fire, simply place a cotton pad under the kindling and light it. The petroleum jelly acts as a highly flammable accelerant.

Supplies

• Key Ring
• 3 Yards of Flat Cord
• Scissors

Instructions

To follow the instructions and create the described braid, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Cut two pieces of flat cord, each measuring 54 inches in length.
2. Take both cords and pull them through a key ring, ensuring that they are pulled to the center of the cords.
3. Cross the cords over each other, holding them perpendicular to one another. This should create an “X” shape, as shown in figure A.
4. Fold strand 1 (the left cord) over to the opposite side, creating a small loop, as shown in figure B.
5. Fold strand 3 (the right cord) over to the opposite side, also creating a small loop.
6. Hold the strands in place with one hand to keep the loops secure.
7. With your other hand, take strand 2 (the right cord) and weave it over strand 3 (the left cord), and then under strand 1 (the right cord).
8. Next, take strand 4 (the left cord) and weave it over strand 1 (the right cord) and under strand 3 (the left cord). This completes one weaving sequence, as shown in figure C.
9. Pull the cords tightly to tighten the weave.
10. Repeat steps 7-9, continuing to weave strand 2 over strand 3 and under strand 1, and strand 4 over strand 1 and under strand 3.
11. Continue weaving until you have approximately 4 inches of braid. Adjust the length as desired.
12. Once you have reached the desired length, tie off the braid securely to prevent it from unraveling.
13. Trim any excess cord to neaten the appearance of the braid.

Following these steps will allow you to create the described braid using the two 54-inch pieces of flat cord.