Start a six-strand project. Use a key ring in place of a zipper pull. Make 11 tight stitches. After two loose stitches, work the head through the first loose stitch.

Tighten the two stitches to hold the head firmly. Make five more tight stitches. Lace a stitch over the second curve of the snake. Fasten the second curve with tight stitches. Do ten stitches. Lace a stitch over the third curve of the snake, and continue. After another seven stitches, enclose the fourth curve near the tail. Continue for another nine stitches. After 3 1/2 to 4 inches, finish off.

To finish a six-strand project, make a final straight stitch, and leave it loose. Run lace A around the next lace, under and up the center. Run lace B around the next lace, under and up the center. Do the same with the others until all six laces are in the center. Tighten, and trim.

This Halloween craft is excerpted with permission from Halloween Plastic Lace Crafts: Easy-to-Make Monsters, Ghosts, and Creepy Crawlies by David Hall, David Kominz and Phyllis Damon, published by Design Originals.