More Belts… More Tutorials Coming

Macrame Belt with Square Buckle: Autumn Tweed

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.

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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

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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!!

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* 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.

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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/

http://macrame_1.tripod.com/knots/ddhh.html

Making Jewelry With Macrame Cord

Wednesday, August 19

This is what I have been working on for the last several days. Jewelry made with 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord. The cord I use for purses and belts. It makes up larger so it doesn’t take many knots to create something.

8 or 9 Square Knots and you have a pair of earrings. They are very lightweight. I wore a pair for an hour and totally forgot I had them on.

This next pair I created from 3 strips of cord and added some wooden circle beads.

Here’s a bangle bracelet made with just square knots and larger wood circle beads.

Necklace was created with a length of square knots and chain links on both sides with a silver clasp at the top. Large wood circle beads hang from the cord. They move freely across the knots. Ribbon crimps and jump rings connect the cord to the chain links. It measures 22″.

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Supplies used for necklace, bracelet and earrings:

• 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord
• ribbon crimps
• jump rings
• chain links
• silver clasp
• wood beads
• earrings hooks