What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Thread both pieces of lanyard cording through the lanyard hook so that hook is in the center of the cording. This should leave you four strands of cording to work with (see photo).

2. Create an anchor by sticking a push pin into the wall (get your parent’s permission), tree trunk, or something else made of wood. Run some extra lanyard cording through the top end of the hook and around the push pin. Another anchor idea would be to attach a safety pin to your jeans and run the cord through there. You can also use a sturdy piece of masking tape to stick it to a worktable. You will need something to anchor your hook to so that you can pull the cord strands tight as you are braiding.

3. A regular braid uses three strands while a diamond braid uses four. A diamond braid is similar to a cornrow braid, which is a regular three strand braid that is braided “upside down”. In other words, instead of passing each outside strand over the top of the center strand, you pass it underneath. A diamond braid also passes underneath, except there are four strands to work with, as we will demonstrate here.

4. To begin the diamond braid you will need to make sure that you have four strands of equal lengths (see Step 1). In your head, think of the strands from left to right as being numbers 1, 2, 3, 4.

5. The pattern for the diamond braid starts at the farthest right strand (number 4), which passes underneath the center two strands and then over the top of the left-most strand.

6. Tighten the strands to lose any slack and then shift to the other side to do the reverse pattern: farthest left strand (number 1) passes underneath the center two strands (numbers 2 and 4) and up and over the top of the right-most center strand (number 4).

7. Tighten your work. Your strands should be in the following order (from left to right): 2, 1, 4, 3.

8. In your head, renumber all the strands to be 1-4 from left to right as you did in the beginning, so number 2 is now number 1, number 1 is now number 2, number 4 is number 3, and number 3 is number 4. Now repeat the braiding pattern described in steps 5 and 6. Continue repeating the instructions in steps 5 and 6 until the cord is almost completely braided. Then simply tie the end off in a tight knot.

Tips:

• Try this fun braid with yarn or other types of thick cord or fabric.

• Make key chains, bracelets, and necklaces to wear this summer.

• Lanyard cord can be found at most craft supply stores.