Lace Belt

Finished size — all sizes, 2¼″ wide x desired length

Skill Level — Advanced Beginner

This stylish, original belt can be worn many ways, and it would look great in any color, with or without the picot edging. Wear it as a hip belt or on the waist — either way, you'll look great!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Row 1: With F hook, ch 10, sc in second ch from hook, and in each ch, ch 3 (counts as first dc of Row 2), turn — 9 sc.

Row 2: 1 dc in the second sc, * ch 1, 1 dc in same sc (V-st made), sk 2 sc, dc in next sc; rep from * twice. End with dc in last sc, ch 3, turn — 3 dc V-sts + 1 dc on each end.

Row 3: Work 3-dc cl in the ch-1 sp of V-st (see special st), * ch 2, work 3 dc cl in next ch 1 sp. Rep from *. End with dc in top of tch, ch 1, turn — 3 dc cls + 1 dc on each end.

Row 4: Sc in first dc, in dc clusters and in every ch across row, ch 1, turn — 9 sc.

Row 5: Sc across row, ch 3, turn — 9 sc.

Rep Rows 2–5 (21) times or until desired length, ending with Row 3. Work last 2 sc rows at end of belt as follows:

Row 1: Sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 5 sc, 2sctog over last 2 sts — 7 sc.

Row 2: Sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 3 sc, sc dec over next 2 sts. End off — 5 sc.

Attaching Buckle

On opp end of belt, fold 1¾″ to back, placing buckle inside at fold. If you have a metal belt lp (as in photo), place this under fold also. Sew folded piece to back side of belt with needle and thread.

Picot Edging

Work on outside edge of belt. With RS of belt facing and D hook, attach cord with sl st to side of belt next to buckle, * (ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook — p made), sk approx. ½″, sl st to side edge; rep from * around entire belt edge, ending at st right before buckle. Weave in ends.

Materials:

1 spool (7 oz./200 g) nylon cord in taupe

Size F/5 (3.75 mm) and size D/3 (3.25 mm) hooks

1 belt buckle, 2½″ wide

Sewing needle and thread to match belt

Used in this project: Hilos #18, 100% nylon cord, see resources, pg. 125. Substitute J&P Coats Crochet Nylon Cord or any sport-wt. yarn.

Gauge:

9 sc = 17/8″

2 V-st = 1¼″

(2) 3 dc cluster = ½″

Special Stitch:

V-Stitch: (Dc, ch 1, dc) in same st.

3-dc Cluster Stitch (cl):(Yo, insert hook in ch-1 sp, yo and pull up lp, yo and pull through 2 lps) 3 times. Yo and pull through all 4 lps on hook.

Picot Stitch (p): Ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook.

Helpful Hint:

If you have trouble finding a belt buckle, visit a thrift store!

Words of Encouragement

We are all genuine original human beings! But sometimes we have character flaws or patterns of behavior in our lives that prevent us from being who we want to be. We all know that nobody is perfect, but the key is to keep trying. Something that helped me actually take steps to change was making notes of I Cor. 13 (the love chapter), such as “Mary Jane is kind, Mary Jane is patient, etc.” At first I didn't believe it, but the more I saw that in my mind, the more I started to think it could really happen. I'm certainly not perfect, and never will be, but visualizing what I want to be really helps.