View source for Scoubidou

{{For|a song by [[Sacha Distel]] and which was formerly the title of the cartoon "Scooby-Doo" in French|Scooby-Doo}}
{{redir|Scoobie|the snooker player with the same nickname|Alain Robidoux}}
[[Image:Gimpthreadspools.JPG|right|thumb|Two spools of plastic used for scoubidou]]
'''Scoubidou''' ('''Lanyard''', '''Scoubi''', '''Scoobie''', '''Boondoggle''', or '''Gimp''') is a plaiting and [[knot]]ting craft, originally aimed at children. It originated in [[France]], where it became a [[fad]] in the late 1950s and has remained popular. The name scoubidou came from the late French singer [[Sacha Distel]], who scored his first hit with the song of the same name in 1958 and became the [[Francization|Francized]] name for the long-running cartoon series ''[[Scooby-Doo]]''. It came back into fashion in various countries, including the [[United Kingdom]], in 2004 and 2005. It uses commercially supplied [[plastic]] strips or tubes <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/4581157.stm</ref><ref>http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-scoubidou.htm</ref>.

The most common kind of thread used for the craft is flat and comes in many different colors. Another kind of scoubidou thread is supple, round and hollow [[plasticizer|plasticized]] [[PVC]] tubes usually about 80 centimetres in length. They are sold in various colours, sizes and types, and are used to make various items by binding them together with special [[knot]]s. On account of their elasticity and hollow cross-section &mdash; which allow them to collapse and deform when pulled &mdash; they can easily form extremely tight and stable knots. [[Key chain]]s, [[friendship band]]s and other [[trinket]]s are most commonly woven, although more complicated shapes and figures can also be created<ref>http://www.scoobies.net/scoobie%20history.htm</ref>. 

Most of the knots used in scoubidou were already used in [[bast fibre]], while the creations possible with scoubidou are also similar in many ways to traditional [[corn dolly]]s and to [[macrame]].

==Use in the United States==
Known as ''craftlace'', ''boondoggle'' or ''gimp'' (also spelled "gymp"), it is used for making [[lanyard]]s. Lanyards of this type are usually made by children and camp counselors at [[summer camp]]s.  This lanyard is made by weaving several pieces of gimp into a three-dimensional design.  Gimp is also often used to form animal designs, like dragonflies or [[penguin]]s which are normally seen on children's [[backpack]]s, or many other designs such as flags, hearts, and trees. Some children use it to make gifts for each other.

==Knots==
===Square knot===
[[Image:Boondogglesquareknot.JPG|right|thumb|An example of a square knot keychain]] 
Also known as a box knot, the square knot is the most common knot used in making keychains. It uses two strands of gimp. The square knot is made by taking the end rossing opposite ends, then taking one of the other ends and going over the first string and going under the second string. To finish, the last end is woven over the first strand and under the second strand<ref>http://www.yoarra.nl/eng/technieken-recht.php</ref><ref>http://www.laneyards.com/2008/10/square-stitch.html</ref>.

A double square knot (or triple) can be made using four strings, thus doubling the size of the keychain made. Again the process is done by weaving the ends alternately.
The easiest way to create a square knot is taking 2 strands (same color)and weaving the other two through them:)

===Spiral knot===

"Barrel" can be done by completing the actions of a square knot, but instead of crossing the ends straight over, the ends should be crossed diagonally. This causes the creation to be cylindrical, resulting in colors that spiral instead of creating straight lines of color<ref>http://www.carbidecamps.net/CombinedActivities/LanyardsPage/barrel.htm</ref>.

===Other numbers of strands===
[[Image:Scoubidou 3 strands.jpg|thumb|right|A three-stranded scoubidou, with the first part done in a square knot and the second done in a spiral.]]
[[Image:Scoubidou 6 strands.jpg|thumb|right|A six-stranded scoubidou.]]

The square knot uses four strands (resulting from the two ends of each of two scoubidou). Other numbers of strands may be used for the simple woven scoubidou chain, although with more than six the structure becomes difficult to support. Using even numbers of strands allows one end of the construction to be neatly terminated in the middle of a strand (as in the example of the square knot).

As with the square knot, each layer may be constructed either with the same direction of weave (leading to a [[chiral]] spiral structure) or as a mirror image of the previous layer (leading to a more angular appearance).
plese note that the stich is very hard

===Double spiral===
The double spiral, or twist, is the same concept as the spiral knot however the number of strings is doubled. The procedure is the same, however, the level of difficulty higher and starting the double spiral is a little harder to handle<ref>http://www.laneyards.com/2008/10/twist-supercircle-stitch.html</ref>.

===Cobra===
The Cobra (or macrame) involves tying three strands around two other strands back and forth<ref>http://www.laneyards.com/2009/09/cobra-stitch.html</ref><ref>http://www.yoarra.nl/eng/weitas.php</ref>. A super cobra (or king cobra) is created when the strands are tied around the cobra itself, making it wider and larger <ref>http://www.laneyards.com/2009/10/super-cobra-stitch.html</ref>.

===Staircase===
This involves tying one strand around one or more strands.  The more strands that are used in the middle the fatter staircase is<ref>http://www.boondoggleman.com/prj_chinese_staircase.htm</ref>.

===Butterfly===
This involves putting one loop strand through another and then pulling the latter loop. The loops are then twisted together to look like a butterfly<ref>http://www.laneyards.com/2009/10/butterfly-stitch.html</ref>.

===Variations===
Multiple variations on the "spiral" and "square" knots can be attempted by more experienced "boondogglers" following the "over and under" pattern. As such, one could accommodate a four- or even five-by-two pattern combining square and spiral stitches to create a work of art.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Scoubidou}}
*[http://www.tonercrafts.com/category/18608315141/1/Free-Braiding-Instructions.htm tonercrafts]
*[http://www.yoarra.nl/eng/index.php A scoubidou website]
*[http://www.scoobies.net/index.htm Instructional site with variations]
*[http://www.laneyards.com Instructional Scoubidou Videos]
*[http://anabuigues.com/scoubidou Aprende Scoubidou desde los inicios. Sitio en español]
*[http://knotting.ru/scoubidou Scoubidou сайт на русском]

[[Category:Hobbies]]

[[Category:Arts and crafts]]
[[Category:Craft materials]]
[[Category:Summer camps]]

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