OK, a few of you asked how to macrame a “regular” belt with a square buckle. A belt that can go through belt loops.
Well, here it is.
Supplies/Tools Needed:
- 30 yards of 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord *
- one square belt buckle with 1″ bar for mounting cords
- craft glue
- macrame board or covered ceiling tile
- T-pins
- scissors
- yardstick, ruler, tape measure
Instructions to make Autumn Tweed Macrame Belt
Step 1. Cut two cords 7 yards long and two cords 8 yards long. Cords will be mounted onto the 1″ bar end of the belt buckle in this order.
- 7 yd cord (4 1/2 yds of it on the left and 2 1/2 yds of it on the right)
- 8 yd cord (3 1/2 yds of it on the left and 4 1/2 yds of it on the right)
- 8 yd cord (4 1/2 yds of it on the left and 3 1/2 yds of it on the right)
- 7 yd cord (2 1/2 yds of it on the left and 4 1/2 yds of it on the left)
Step 2. Number cords 1-8.
Row 1. Tie Square Knots (SK) with cords 1-4 and 5-8.
Row 2. Tie one SK with cords 3-6.
Row 3. Tie SK’s with cords 1-4 and 5-8.
Repeat. Row 2. Row 3. Row 2. Row 3. Row 2. Row 3. Row 2. Last row should have ONE Square Knot. This is how your belt should look at this point.
Step 3.
Tie 2 SK’s with cords 1-4. One right under the other. Tie 2 SK’s with cords 5-8. One right under the other. Tie one SK with cords 3-6. See photo for help if needed. This step is creating “holes” along the belt’s length.
Step 4. Keep repeating Step 3 until you reach the desired waist length or until you reach 10″ from the SHORTEST cords.
Your last row before beginning the next step should have ONE SK.
Step 5. This step finishes off the end of the belt. You will be tying Diagonal Double Half Hitch knots (DDHH) onto a diagonal anchor cord.
Cord 1 is the right diagonal anchor cord for this step. Pin cord 1 to the board diagonally using a T-pin. Double Half Hitch cords 2-4 onto it. Start with cord 2. See photos for help. 1st photo is showing one half hitch. 2nd photo is showing a double half hitch.
This is how cords 2-4 now look.
Step 6. Now you are going to repeat this on the right side using Cord 8 as the left diagonal anchor cord. Pin cord 8 to the board diagonally using a T-pin. Double Half Hitch cords 7-5 onto it. Start with cord 7 and work down to cord 5.
This is how belt looks after completing one row of diagonal double half hitches on both left and right.
Step 7. Ready for DDHH Row 2? OK, repeat Step 6. Do exactly what you did. Everything. You can renumber the cords or just visually number them in your head. 4 cords on the right and 4 cords on the left. 1-4 and 5-8.
2 Diagonal Double Half Hitched rows.
Step 8. Now you are ready for the 3rd row of DDHH’s. The last one. Yay!! Again, repeat Step 6.
3 Diagonal Double Half Hitched rows completed.
Step 9. One last thing to do. Make sure the last knots are tight. Cut the ends close but not too close. Save enough on the tip to melt and press down. Using matches, touch the cord for a nanosecond taking care not to burn or scorch the cord. Press down for a smooth edge.
I reinforced this area with sewing thread to make sure the knots on the tip will not work themselves undone when wearing. Make tiny stitches so they are not visible.
Add a bit of craft glue to the last row of knots on the tip, on the back side of the belt. Allow to dry.
All done!! Congratulations!! You are ready to wear your belt. Put it on. Use one of the “holes” created in Step 3 to strap it on. You can move it to any hole. Wear it tight, loose or however you wish. Enjoy!!
* Note: Yardage to use depends on what size you want. Adjust belt size by adding or subtracting yardage. Experiment.
It is always best to cut longer cords and not run short and have to start over. You can always use leftover cord for other projects.
This belt in the tutorial measures 37″ at the point where belt prong thingy inserts into the hole.
Need some HELP with tying knots?
In case you have forgotten how to tie a Square Knot (SK) or are new to macrame, here’s a picture of me beginning to tie one.
Also you can go here for help. Don’t be afraid. Try it. It’s easy!!
https://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/how-to-tie-a-macrame-square-knot/
This Year's Dozen 
lovely as usual 🙂 will look forward to having a proper read of this tonight when i’m not at work!
nys
Great tut! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you both!!
Hello! This will sound crazy, but a group of Kids from our orphanage is in the next room. Ten of them are working on belts right now… I realized right now that I’m not entirely sure how to end the project. Yikes! I understand the three rows of double half hitches, but it seems like the point of the tip of the belt would still be open, split in two, like a snake’s tongue, and not solid like an arrow head. What am I missing? A quick reply would be much appreciated, especially with how fast these Kids’ hands are moving. Again, Yikes!
Thank you much!
Mike
Hi there, yep you are correct. Look up. Step 9, 2nd paragraph. “I reinforced this area with sewing thread to make sure the knots on the tip will not work themselves undone when wearing. Make tiny stitches so they are not visible.”
You could also make one last half hitch from the left to right to connect the sides together.
Hope this helps. Sounds like you and the kids are having fun.
Thank you! Yes, they had a blast. We’d made friendship bracelets with them before, but making a belt is something pretty substantial, especially considering the life they all came from not too long ago.
We had them melt, sew and glue the belt tips, but some got creative and out did me! Some belt ends were made by crossing the hitch anchor lines from one side to the other; that is the hitch anchor from the left became the last dhh on the other side, making sort of an asymmetrical fish scale. Mila, one of our girls, took her last anchor line and, after getting to the point, pinned her line and went back up the other side, making a solid but pointed tip on her belt. The Kids blew us away!
And it was all possible because you took the time to make a tutorial and share your expertise with the world. Thank you so much for helping us give our Kids a great night!
God’s best to you,
Mike
Mike, thanks so much for letting me know the kids were successful in getting their macrame belts made. Knowing young kids are learning this craft warms my heart. I hope they will keep it going.
You sound like a great leader. Patient. Caring. Fun loving.
Do check out my other tutorials. Maybe there is something else they can make.
I like it when people come together and share ideas.
Great site, continue the good work!
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My regular belt is 42″…I can go 40″…how many yards to do this belt??
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