Do you secretly love old doilies? Well, my secret’s out, I do; but what I am I going to do with a bunch of doilies? I’m not too into tablecloths or jar covers. Then that magic crochet bug hit me, dissect them! What I found is a deep love for the intricate edgings. Go on check them out. They are amazing. Immediately I thought, BELT! The stitch pattern below is an edging that has been around for over a hundred years, but in this setting you take all the fuddy-duddy out and are left with a great belt. Very Bohemian, very hip, very now. So next time grandma wants to give you another doily, say, thanks! And start imagining all that you can re-create with it.
- Kroy Socks by Patons, #54013 Hickory, (75% wool, 25% nylon), 150 yards, less then 1 skein
- D/ 3.25mm Hook
- Needle for weaving in ends
- Steam Iron and straight pins for blocking
- (optional) Starch Spray or Liquid Starch
- Silver keychain loop with ball ends (find in jewelry section of local crafts store)
- 9mm metal loop
First two rounds = 2 1/4” Diameter
Gauge is not critical. If your stitches are typically loose, I would suggest a hook one size smaller then recommended on label.)
dc: double crochet
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
ch: chain
st: stitch
Main Belt Body
Ch 20. Sl st to beginning ch to form loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn.
Round 1: Work 39 dc in loop (40 dc). Sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch. Ch 5 (counts as one dc and ch-2 space), turn.
Round 2: *Skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2*, repeat around. Sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch (you should have 20 ch-2 spaces at the end of this round). Ch 11, turn.
Row 3: Skip four ch-2 spaces, sl st in next dc. Ch 3, turn.
Row 4: Work 16 dc in ch-11 space. Ch 5, turn.
Row 5: *Skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2*, repeat across, ending with dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Ch 11, turn (should have 8 ch-2 spaces).
Repeat rows 3-5 until desired length is achieved.
Fasten off and weave in loose ends
Other End
Ch 20. Sl st to beginning ch to form loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn.
Round 1: Work 39 dc in loop (40 dc). Sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch. Ch 5 (counts as one dc and ch-2 space), turn.
Round 2: *Skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2*, repeat around. Sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch (you should have 20 ch-2 spaces at the end of this round). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing
- Pin belt at corners and steam with iron to block. Fully wet belt with steam and allow to dry.
- (Optional) Instead of blocking with steam iron, saturate belt in spray starch or liquid starch to add stiffness to belt. Pin belt at corners and allow to dry.
- Sew circle to end of belt, see photo for placement.
- Attach 9mm loop to keychain ring and belt. See photo for assistance.
