How to Make a Pony Bead Ghost

This cute pony bead ghost keychain is such a fun Halloween craft! Use our step-by-step tutorial and simple supplies to make this flowing beaded ghost.

Active Time45

Total Time45

Yield: pony bead ghost

Author: Debbie Chapman

Cost: $1

Equipment

Scissors
Needle nose pliers (2 pairs)

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

Gather your supplies and materials.

Step 2: Connect the first beads

Cut an 8 foot (96 inch) piece of white or clear elastic cord.
Add 4 white beads to one end.
Tie the end of the cord to the cord on the other side of the beads.
This should create 2 rough columns of 2 beads each. Set the beads down so the long cord is at the bottom right.
Add 2 black beads to the long cord. Bring the cord down through the 2 white beads on the right, so it pulls the new beads next to them.
Then bring the cord up through the last beads added (the 2 black ones).
This is a process you'll need to repeat, threading the elastic back through the previous beads and into the new beads to grow the shape. This is why you need to use a thin elastic or thread.
Add 2 more white beads in the same way.
Repeat, so that you have 5 columns (2 white, 2 white, 2 black, 2 white, 2 white).

Step 3: Build up the ghost face

Add 4 more beads to the cord: 2 white, 1 black, 1 white.
Bring the cord down through column 4 (the 2 white beads to the right of the black ones).
Adjust the cord so that you have 4 beads on top of the right 2 columns. Then bring the cord end up through column 3 (the black beads).
Now you can add beads in the same way you did the first ones.
Add 2 white beads and go down through the column to the right (4 beads now), and back up through 4 beads (the 2 black, and the 2 white ones just added).
Repeat, adding 1 black bead and 1 white. Then add 2 more white beads to the left column.
Finish with the cord coming out the top left bead.

Step 4: Finish the ghost head

Add 2 white beads to the cord. Bring the cord under the elastic between the left eye (black bead) and the bead to the right.
Then bring the cord end through the right side of the last bead added. Arrange the beads so they sit in the same direction as the previous ones.
Add 1 more white bead before bringing the cord up through the elastic between the right eye and the bead to its left.
Then go through the right side of the bead you just added. This will pull the bead into place.
Add 1 white bead to the cord. Go under the elastic to the right of the eye this time before going through the right of the bead just added.
Add 3 more white beads in the same way, forming the top of the ghost's head. Finish by bringing the cord down through the left column of beads.

Step 5: Form the ghost's body

Add 8 white beads and let them fall down the cord so they sit against the ghost head.
Looping around the 8th bead, bring the cord up through the other 7 white beads.
Then bring the elastic all the way up the left column and back down the 2nd column so it sits below the head again and to the right of the fringe column you just made.
Going up and down through the columns like this helps shape the ghost.
Repeat Step 5 to make 4 more fringe sections of white beads, working up and down through the columns in the same way, gradually working towards the right.
Use 9 beads for fringe #2, 10 beads for fringe #3, 9 beads for fringe #4, and 8 beads for fringe #5.

Step 6: Finish the pony bead ghost

Find where the short tail of elastic is, where you tied the first knot.
Bring the long cord through the beads until it's in the same place. Tie the 2 ends in a double knot.
Thread each cord through a few beads before cutting off the excess.
Add a jump ring to the elastic at the top center of the ghost. Keep the jump ring open.
Add a split ring keyring onto the jump ring before using 2 pairs of pliers to close the jump ring.
Your pony bead ghost is complete!

Video

Notes

Looking for more pony bead crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:

Pony Bead Pumpkins

Pony Bead Jellyfish

Kandi Star Keychain