A braided cotton belt is a wardrobe classic, but when you make it yourself you have control over the colors and the length, so you can be sure it’s exactly what you want!

Supplies:

 

– cotton yarn in two colors – this is Sugar ‘n Cream
– buckle
– flexible measuring tape
– sharp scissors
– dull needle (optional)
– fray check or clear fabric glue

 

This buckle is 5/8 inch, if you use a different size you’ll need to adjust the number of strands. The braid stays the same regardless of the number of strands.

Measure your waist (ideally while wearing what you’ll be belting), and figure out how long it should be including the tail.

 

The length of each end should be the desired length multiplied by 1.5. Because you will be folding the strands around the buckle, you’ll need to cut each strand twice that. Measure and cut your strands – this buckle holds 6 strands/12 ends.

Larks head knot each strand into place.

To make the braid wide enough for the buckle the knots might have to overlap as shown.

Knot the cream on one side and the navy on the other.

Overlap the center two strands as shown – right over left.

Now bring another strand from the left side under the strand from the right.

Over and under with the next strand on the right side.

Over, under with the next strand on the left.

Under, over, under, with the next strand from the right. Continue alternating in this way until all of the strands are woven together.

Continue with the braiding pattern. Under, over, under, over, under with the strand farthest to the left.

Over, under, over, under, over, under, with the strand farthest to the right.

Keep doing this until you reach about 1 inch less than your desired length.

 

An alternate diagram for this braid (using 8 strands instead of 12) can be found by clicking here.

Stop where the strands are split by color.

Make a row of half hitch knots on the left hand side.

 

For a diagram of half hitch knots made on the diagonal (like this) click here.

Let the strand from the left join those on the right (the navy on the right is hiding under the white strands in this picture.)

Now make half hitches from the right to the center.

Repeat this until you like the look of the tab end of your belt.

I went with 9 rows.

The half hitch rows are a little wider than the braid. It’s okay, we can fix it. Cover the back of the tab area with Fray Check or clear glue, and form it with your fingers into a narrower strip.

When you have it smooshed into the width of the braid leave it to dry.

Trim the ends and go over those with the Fray Check as well.

To wear it just send the tongue of the buckle through the braid wherever you want it to be!