Chain reaction
Use your new braiding skills to give an out t a stylish nish with this plaited belt by Becky Skuse.
Designer Becky Skuse says: “Add a touch of style to any outfit with this colourful belt, which uses a simple braiding pattern. The colourful interlocking strands weave in and out of each other in a wonderful dance of colour. You can use any colours you like in any 4ply cotton yarn, so be inspired by your wardrobe and choose your favourite shades. Once it’s finished, you can wear the belt on either side, giving you an alternative look depending on your mood.”
CROCHET LENGTHS
Using Yarn A and leaving a long starting tail, make one row of treble crochet to measure 135cm long using one of the following methods:
Method 1 Foundation chain: Starting with a loose knot, make a chain length approx 150cm long, ch3, tr in 4th ch from hook and in each ch until row measures 135cm. Unpick the starting knot to undo any extra chains not needed. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing up.
Method 2 Foundation row: Ch3, yrh, insert hook in first ch, yrh, pull through first loop only (this forms base of 2nd treble), yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh, pull through 2 loops (treble stitch formed), *yrh, insert hook in base of previous stitch, yrh, pull through first loop only, yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh, pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until your row measures 135cm. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing up.
Using the same method you chose, make four more rows of treble crochet to measure 165cm long – you will need two in Yarn B and two in Yarn C.
TO SEW UP
Arrange the starting ends of the treble rows in the following order: Yarn C, B, A, B, C. Sew each row to the next row for approx 10 stitches.
Align the two D-rings together and insert the sewn-up crochet end into both D-rings. Fold it over the straight edge of the D-rings and sew in place.
BRAIDING
Start working the braid from the D-rings end.
Label the five strands as outer left, inner left, centre, inner right, outer right. *Lift the centre strand. Swap the outer left and outer right strands, keeping the outer right strand on top. Place the centre strand
back down. Swap the inner left and inner right strands, keeping the inner left strand on top. Tighten up the strands of the braid, if desired. Reset the labels on your strands and repeat the braiding pattern from * to the end of the strands.
Sew the ends of the strands together to secure them firmly in place.
WEARING THE BELT
To secure the belt, insert the loose end into both D-rings. Fold the belt back on itself, take the end over the first D-ring and under the second D-ring. Pull tight.