Lace is versatile and can be used for so many things: construction, decoration, accents, or making an entire project from lace itself. Many crafters are upgrading their parachute cord or macrame cord to leather lace to enhance the value of their projects and offer a bit more sophistication in the final design. Regardless of what you’re making you’ll definitely want to have some leather lace in your arsenal if you consider yourself the crafty type, since it comes in handy in so many instances.

That being said, with so many different types of lace out there, which ones do you need? In our humble option, probably all of them. However, here are a few tips and insights on the different kinds of leather lace to know which one is right for your project.

One of our most popular laces, calfskin is a very versatile lace that can be used in a wide variety of different types of projects. Makers use calf lace commonly for braiding, jewelry making, lanyards, general lacing, edge braiding, construction, and more. It features a tight grain and smooth glazed finish for a professional look while still being economical in price. It is available in a variety of natural colors and multiple widths, making it a perfect choice for many different styles of projects.

Lightweight, strong, and flexible, deerskin lace is very popular around the world for generations. It is typically fairly thin (2 to 3 oz leather) yet has a stronger tensile strength than many other laces. It does offer some stretch, which can make it ideal for jewelry, wrapping, dreamcatchers, beading, and braiding. Deerskin lace is commonly used in finely finished garments, smaller projects, jewelry, home decor accents, and more.

Goatskin lace is among the top-quality laces you’ll find readily available in North America. It’s cut from veg-tanned goatskin, which offers strength, flexibility, and suppleness with minimal stretch. It is great for most types of braiding, finishing edges with a stitch, or most lacing projects in general. Goatskin lace can be left natural in color or dyed to coordinate with your project’s palette. For professional lacers, the edges can also be beveled for braiding.

Many professional braiders swear by kangaroo lace, and for good reason. It’s incredibly strong and consistent, often sold in a wide variety of colors. That being said, it’s very expensive, much harder to obtain, and typically is fairly limited by supply. Although kangaroo lace may be an investment made by seasoned professionals for high-end whips or reins, for most makers goatskin lace is just as effective and much easier on the pocketbook.

Latigo lace is the perfect choice for anyone looking to make projects aimed at outdoor use. Latigo leather is unique in that it is made through a combination of multiple tanning processes, resulting in durable and hearty leather for boot laces, outdoor gear, saddlery, animal accessories, pendants, and heavy-duty projects. It is made from full-grain, 5 to 7 oz leather, so although it’s great for a wide variety of projects, the weight and thickness may be less ideal for traditional braiding and jewelry.

Also known as bolo cord, this pre-braided lace conveniently saves you time and effort. Constructed using 4 strands of flat leather lace around a core, this lace offers strength and minimal stretch. It is popularly used for lanyards, purse straps, bag handles, trim, and home decor projects. It also works well with larger beads for statement jewelry projects.

A popular choice for jewelers and makers alike, this round leather lace is cut from veg-tanned leather and then shaped into a round cord. For added strength and finish, it is typically stained and waxed for a smooth and soft surface that is flexible yet doesn’t peel or crack. It is popular as a substitute or supplement for macrame designs, as well as hatbands, wrist bands, key-fobs, handles, and more.

Among our most popular laces, suede lace is a great entry point for crafters interested in exploring opportunities to integrate leather accents into their projects. Cut from top grain pigskin, the soft textured lace is an economical choice that is available in a wide variety of vibrant colors. It’s thicker size is flexible but not too stretchy, great for trimming garments, braiding jewelry, or assembling basic projects.