You only need 36 beads to make this cute retro pony bead lizard! A simple bead weaving craft to use as a keychain.
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If you went to summer camp or were part of a scout group in the 1990s, you probably would’ve made a few pony bead lizards! This craft is simple and fun. Pony beads are inexpensive and you can find them anywhere you buy craft supplies.
Our version is a bit smaller than others. If you want a bigger keychain, you can add extra rows to the body section. Or make the legs and tail longer. We like this little lizard because you can make it with leftover beads from another craft project.
Use a mix of green and yellow beads (plus white for the eyes) or choose whatever colors you prefer.
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How to make a pony bead lizard
Supplies
- pony beads in shades of green, yellow, and white
- jewelry cord
- keyring
Instructions
1. Start the keychain.
Cut a length of jewelry cord that’s about 36 inches long. Fold it in half and loop the end through the keyring circle. Pull the cut ends through the loop and pull it snug against the keyring.
Start with a single green bead for the nose. Thread both cut ends of the cord through the bead and pull them to slide the bead against the keyring.
2. Weave the lizard’s head.
For the next rows, use the same weaving technique to create the lizard’s head.
- 2 green
- white, green, white
- 2 green
3. Attach the front legs.
Next, weave the beads to make the lizard’s front legs. To do this, weave each leg separately.
Thread one cord through 4 beads (we used 1 green, 1 yellow, 2 blue-green). Skip the blue-green and thread the cord back through just the yellow and green.
Repeat this with the other cord and tighten everything.
4. Weave the body.
After the legs are complete, weave 2 rows of 3 beads to make the body.
- green, lime, green
- green, lime, green
5. Attach the back legs.
Repeat the same technique use on the front legs for weaving the back legs.
Thread one cord through 4 beads (1 green, 1 yellow, 2 blue-green). Skip the blue-green and thread the cord back through just the yellow and green.
Repeat this with the other cord and tighten everything.
6. Add the tail.
The last section is the lizard’s tail. Weave both ends of the cord through 6 single beads, one at a time. Make sure the beads line up and the cord is snug, then tie a knot at the end.
If the cord is long, you can trim the ends.
This pony bead lizard is the cutest little pocket friend! You can make a whole bunch and hang them anywhere you might use a keychain. Attach it to bags and backpacks. Clip it onto your belt or use it as a zipper pull.
These make a fun summer boredom buster for a group of kids. Let everyone make them their favorite colors, then swap with friends!
Printable instructions
Pony Bead Lizard Keychain
Materials
Instructions
- Start the keychain.
Cut a length of jewelry cord that's about 36 inches long. Fold it in half and loop the end through the keyring circle. Pull the cut ends through the loop and pull it snug against the keyring. Start with a single green bead for the nose. Thread both cut ends of the cord through the bead and pull them to slide the bead against the keyring. - Weave the lizard's head.
For the next rows, use the same weaving technique to create the lizard's head.
(2 green - white, green, white - 2 green) - Attach the front legs.
Next, weave the beads to make the lizard's front legs. To do this, weave each leg separately. Thread one cord through 4 beads (we used 1 green, 1 yellow, 2 blue-green). Skip the blue-green and thread the cord back through just the yellow and green. Repeat this with the other cord and tighten everything. - Weave the body.
After the legs are complete, weave 2 rows of 3 beads to make the body.
(green, lime, green)
(green, lime, green) - Attach the back legs.
Repeat the same technique use on the front legs for weaving the back legs. Thread one cord through 4 beads (1 green, 1 yellow, 2 blue-green). Skip the blue-green and thread the cord back through just the yellow and green. Repeat this with the other cord and tighten everything. - Add the tail.
The last section is the lizard's tail. Weave both ends of the cord through 6 single beads, one at a time. Make sure the beads line up and the cord is snug, then tie a knot at the end. If the cord is long, you can trim the ends.
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