Make This:

Braided Cotton Belt

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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!

Braided Cotton Belt

Braided Cotton Belt
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.

Braided Cotton Belt

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.

Braided Cotton Belt

Larks head knot each strand into place.

Braided Cotton Belt Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

Over, under with the next strand on the left.

Braided Cotton Belt

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

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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.

Braided Cotton Belt

Stop where the strands are split by color.

Braided Cotton Belt

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.

Braided Cotton Belt Braided Cotton Belt

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.)

Braided Cotton Belt

Now make half hitches from the right to the center.

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

I went with 9 rows.

Braided Cotton Belt

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.

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

Braided Cotton Belt

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

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