Beaded Irish Flag

Beaded Irish Flag Key Chain is a fun and simple craft for kids, teens, and adults who want to show their Irish pride all year long. This easy pony bead project makes a great backpack charm, zipper pull, or key chain. It is also a nice handmade gift for friends and family.

Supplies

• Lanyard hook or key ring
• 1 yard bead cord
• 12 green pony beads
• 12 white pony beads
• 12 orange pony beads
• White glue
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Stiffen both ends of the bead cord with a small amount of white glue. Let the glue dry completely before you begin.
2. Fold the cord in half and attach it to the lanyard hook or key ring.
3. To make the first row, slide six green pony beads onto the right cord. Take the left cord and thread it back through the same six beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords evenly so the beads slide up snugly against the hook or ring.
4. Repeat the same beading method to create the rest of the flag pattern.
5. Use green beads for the first two rows, white beads for the next two rows, and orange beads for the final two rows.
6. When the key chain is finished, tie off each cord close to the last row of beads.
7. Add a small dab of white glue to each knot. Let dry, then trim the extra cord.

Fun Facts

The Irish flag uses three colors with special meaning. Green represents Irish nationalism, orange represents Ireland’s Protestant community and the Orange Order, and white stands for peace between them.

Source: Irish Central – Do you know the story behind the Irish flag?

Patterns, Templates and Printables

Use the bead pattern for the Beaded Irish Flag Key Chain to follow the color placement row by row.