Gimp as in boondoggle, is a flat plastic lace made of flexible PVC used in crafts projects and not GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program. Gimp with a computer-literate and you'll have all his wires messed up! If you want to find Scooby-doo' in France, you will likely end up in a gimp shop!

If you are familiar with macram, a craft using rope, you are not far from gimp! Gimp is a similar knot tying tool which is used to create all kinds of fanciful key chains, zipper pulls, bracelets, lanyards, book markers, table mats, floor mats, decorative insects and flowers and anything your deft fingers can Scooby-doo out!

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Gimp lace can come in single bright colors such as apple green and pink, sparkle gold or silver, pastels, neon colors, holographic colors, glow in the dark colors as well as tri-colors. Also known as Rexlace, craftstrip and craftlace, gimp lace is slightly elastic but will break if you pull hard.

As in macram or friendship band braiding, you can use a piece or two and weave, braid or knot to create highly interesting projects. Because of the nature of the material, gimp projects make manly' gifts. They can also be neutral gifts like key chains and zipper pullers suitable for school bags and backpacks. Add crystal beads into a braid and they make pretty bangles or belts to go along with jeans suits.

Because of its flat and flexible nature, gimp lace stitches are many and include fanciful names such as square or brick starter stitches, basic stitches such as the zipper, butterfly, spiral and brick stitches as well as neat finishing stitches which will stop your piece of genius becoming undone at the most embarrassing moments.

Depending on the quality, gimp lace can cost from $1.90 a 100-yard of standard color to $2 for every 10-yard skein. If you are a beginner, you may want to buy an assortment' pack which consists of four to six skeins, some lanyard hooks, some rings and accessories such as beads.
Depending on the complexity of the basic stitches and project, you may land up with only 3-4 inches of basic stitches using 10 yards of gimp lace! The logical thing to do then is to start with the much smaller projects using the simpler basic stitches and get yourself hooked onto your success before you embark on some tedious and complex projects like a beaded, circle and square bracelet.

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