Best way to thread Finger Traps/Shreddables?

[Archiesmom]

So, I recently was able to take advantage of California Bird Nerd's Black Friday Sale (thank you SO much @calibird!)

I'm happily stringing up toys that I know my birds will love, but I ordered those paper finger traps, as my GCC, who is more of a timid chewer, will destroy those but isn't even a fan of Balsa .

Paper shreddables are clearly the way to go for him. But as I was trying to incorporate them onto his toy, I was having SUCH a difficult time! I see lots of people folding them over and making lovely shapes/toys out of them. I normally just thread the hemp rope I have through something on it's own and deal with the fraying on the end when it slows me down. Mini munch balls can be trying (if you've doubled the cord up, as I frequently do, it's hard to get both ends through!) but those finger traps were my undoing

Any tips on how to string them? I'm thinking a needle of some sort must be used to pull the cord through, but I'd love to hear your suggestions!

 

[taxidermynerd]

I usually find an opening where the weave meets, push my cord through, and find another opening on the other side. If there's not a hole already, I'll just push the weave aside a bit to make room. I tried a hole punch, but it just compromised the structural integrity of the finger trap too much. These are the only thing Chirp will shred/touch, so I've become rather good at it

 

[Mizzely]

I have used a hole punch, but usually I just take a pair of scissors and push a hole through between the weave to make a larger space to put stuff through

 

[cosmolove]

I use a bobby pin. Depending on your rope it should hold onto the rope enough so that you can use the bobby pin almost as a needle like you're sewing.

 

[Archiesmom]

I use a bobby pin. Depending on your rope it should hold onto the rope enough so that you can use the bobby pin almost as a needle like you're sewing.

Oh I'm definitely going to try this!
Even when I used a scissors to widen the hole, it somehow "shrank" before i could get both ends through. It was driving me nuts! But I bet a bobby pin would do the trick!

 

[calibird]

Another option is Plastic Needles in the Kids Craft section. They usually have a really large hole to use with rope.