Pony beads(54 main colour [red], 24 stitching colour [white])
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Attach the cord to the keyring
Cut a 5 foot (60 inches) piece of rattail cord.
CAUTION - This step must be completed by an adult and is only required if you're using cord that frays at the end. If you're melting the ends, the cord must be made of nylon and be able to melt. Carefully hold a BBQ lighter over the cut end for about 3 seconds to melt the end of the cord.
Press the lighter against the side of the melted cord to flatten it down.Repeat, melting the other end of the cord to finish it off.
Fold the cord in half.
Put the loop down through the split ring keyring and bring the ends back through the loop (creating a lark's head knot).
Pull the cords tight to secure it on the keyring and then tape the keyring to your working surface.
Step 3: Organize the beads and add them to the string
Arrange your beads in the football pony bead pattern. This is optional, but we find it helpful to set up the pattern ahead of time so you can add them onto the keychain easily.If you don't want to lay out the beads ahead of time you can follow our free printable pony bead football pattern (find the link in the materials list above, or below the tutorial).Either way, use the following pattern to make the football:Row 1: 2 redRow 2: 3 redRow 3: 5 whiteRow 4: 7 redRow 5: 2 red, 4 white, 2 redRow 6: 4 red, 1 white, 4 redRow 7: 3 red, 3 white, 3 redRow 8: 4 red, 1 white, 4 redRow 9: 2 red, 4 white, 2 redRow 10: 7 redRow 11: 5 whiteRow 12: 3 redRow 13: 2 red
To make this pony bead football we're going to be working with the ends of the cords, attaching the beads to both strands.
To start, add the first row of beads (2 red) to the right cord.Since this is a symmetrical shape you can also start by putting beads on the left cord -- whatever is more comfortable for you. The order of beads will be the same in either direction.
Now take the end of the left cord and push it through the left side of the beads until the first row is attached to both cord ends.You can do this one bead at a time until you feel more comfortable pushing the string through multiple beads.
Pull the ends of the cords, so that the beads come closer to the keyring.
As you get closer to the split ring you'll want to pull the string down and out to arrange the beads in the center.
Pull tight so that the beads are next to the cord loop.
Add the next row of beads (Row 2: 3 red) to the right cord, and, again, bring the left cord through the row of beads.This idea will be repeated for each row of the football.
Pull the cords so that the 2nd row of beads is snug against the first.You don't want the cord so tight that the beads buckle (they should form a relatively straight row), but it shouldn't sag either.(You can go back at the end and adjust the rows if necessary, by pulling on the cord at the sides of the football.)
Continue adding the beads in the pattern and method listed above.
Repeat until all 13 rows are added and the football is complete.
Step 4: Finish off the keychain
Adjust the cords as needed and then tie the cords into a knot below the last row.Our single knot felt secure, but you can do a double knot if needed.