The nice thing about making your own belts is that you get to choose the color, texture, and materials used. This particular design I came up with for my mother. She picked the color and the beads on the end were her idea. We found the buckle at a local fabric store after reading in a magazine an article on making belts.
I thought that this year in honor of all Mothers, I would share my pattern so that perhaps you might make one for yours.
Size 10 cotton thread (bedspread weight)one 350yard ball
Size 7 (1.65mm) steel crochet hook
Buckle
Tapestry Needle
Pony Beads (5)
1 1/2" wide
length is your choice
8dc and 5dc rows = one inch
Uses FPdc(front post dc), BPdc (back post dc), sc, ch st, sl st, dc
Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as first dc
Ch 21
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn.(20sc)
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each sc across, turn. (20dc)
Row 3: Ch 3, FPdc around each of next 3 dc,(BPdc around each of next 4 dc, FPdc around each of next 4 dc)twice, turn.
Row 4: Ch 3, BPdc around each of next 3 dc, (FPdc around each of next 4 dc, BPdc around each of next 4 dc)twice, turn.
Row 5: Rep Row 3
Rows 6 & 7: Rep Row 4
Row 8: Rep Row 3
Rows 9 & 10: Rep Row 4
Continue in established pattern until belt measures desired length.
Next Row: Ch 1, sc in each dc across. Work 3sc in last dc, turn belt so that long edge is now on top, sc evenly across long edge, work 3 sc across, turn sc evenly across long edge, work 2 more sc in last corner, then join with sl st. DO NOT FASTEN OFF
Fold Belt in half, length-wise, ch 1, using sc join edges all around belt, sc into folded edge also for a more finished look. When you have sc all around the now doubled belt, fasten off. Weave in any loose ends. Sew buckle on one end of belt and pony beads on opposite end.