Western Belt
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| Description: The Western Belt pattern is a great project to help you learn the process of tying Chevrons and Diamonds. Special features such as western style beads, give this Macrame design a unique appearance. |
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Supplies Needed:
- 4mm Braided Macramé Cord
- One 1-inch ring
- Belt Buckle – 2.5 inches wide
- Project Board and pins
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Knots Used:
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SECTION A |
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Step 1: Measure your waist or hip area, where you want the Western belt to rest. Multiply that size by 4. Cut 5 strands of cord material, each the number you came up with. Attach them to the ring with Larks Head Knots, folding them in half in the process. |
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Step 2: Mentally number the strands 1 thru 10, moving left to right. Locate cords 5 and 6. These will be the holding cords. Direct holding cord 5 to the left, and 6 to the right. Secure both strands to your project board so they are taut.
Attach strands 1 thru 4 to holding cord 5 with DHH. Attach strands 7 thru 10 to holding cord 6. |
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Step 3: Re-number the cords 1 thru 8. Do not include the holding cords you were just using. Push them out of the way, and ignore them for now.
Direct cord 4 to the right, and 5 to the left. They will crisscross. Secure both of them so they are taut.
Attach strands 1 thru 3 to holding cord 5 with DHH. Strands 6 thru 8 should be attached to holding cord 4. |
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| Step 4: Re-number the cords again, 1 thru 6. Don’t use any of the holding cords previously used. Cord 3 should head right, and 4 to the left. They will crisscross. Attach strands 1 and 2 to holding cord 4. Strands 5 and 6 should be mounted to holding cord 3. |
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Step 5: Re-number ALL the cords 1 thru 10. Use cords 4 thru 7, and do ONE of the following: |
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Make a Square Knot Button. Tie a small one, with only 2 knots. You can click on the icons and a larger picture will show up, showing the details. |
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The Western belt can be embellished with either beads or novelty buttons. Simply pass the bead or button over strands 5 and 6. Tie a Square Knot with all 4 cords to secure it. |
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Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 5 at least four more times, or until the design measures approximately 10 inches. |
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SECTION B |
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Step 7: Now you will make a series of DHH diamonds for the Western Belt. Number the cords 1 thru 10. Direct cord 5 to the left, diagonally. Do the same with cord 6, directing it to the right. These are the holding cords, and should be secured so they are taut. |
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Attach strands 1 thru 4 to the holding cord on your left. Strands 6 thru 10 should be attached to the holding cord on your right.
If you need more help with this process, see Diamonds. |
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Step 8: Use the same holding cords, and direct them back towards the center of the design. Attach the strands to them as you did in step 7. DHH 1 holding cord to the other to complete the first diamond of the Western Belt design. |
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| Step 9: Repeat steps 7 and 8 at least four more times, until this portion of the design measures the same as section A. |
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SECTION C |
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| Step 10: Measure the Western Belt against yourself to see how close you are to completing the first half. The ring should be in the center of your back. Make as many additional Diamond designs as needed to reach the front, where the clasp should rest. |
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Step 11: Number the strands 1 thru 10. Take cords 1 and 10, and direct them diagonally, towards the center of the belt. They should follow the bottom portion of the last Diamond tied. DHH strands 2 thru 5 to holding cord 1. Attach strands 6 thru 9 to the other holding cord. Make these knots snug, so the bar formed is up against the diamond.
Flip the holding cords out of the way, and don’t use them in the next row. |
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Step 12: Number the strands 1 thru 8. Cords 1 and 8 are the holding cords. Tie another row of DHH, attaching strands 2 thru 4 to holding cord 1. Strands 5 thru 7 should be attached to the other holding cord.
Move these holding cords out of the way as well. |
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Step 13: Number the cords 1 thru 6. Direct strands 1 and 6 diagonally, to be used as the holding cords in this row. Attach strands 2 and 3 to holding cord 1, and 4 and 5 to holding cord 6. Move the holding cords out of the way. |
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| Step 14: For the final row, simply attach strand 2 to holding cord 1. Do the same with strand 3, attaching it to cord 4. |
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DOUBLE BUTTONHOLE CLASP |
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Step 15: Organize all the cords into 2 groups of 5. Mentally number each group 1 thru 5, moving left to right. Use strand 5, and tie a Vertical Larks Head onto cord 4.
Tip: The head of the knot should head inward, towards the center of the belt. Tug on the end of cord 4 to remove any slack. |
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Step 16: Use the same working cord (5), and make another Vertical LH, but this time, attach it to strands 3 and 4. Remove the slack.
The next knot should be tied to cords 2, 3, and 4. For the final knot, tie the Vertical LH onto cords 1 thru 4. |
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Step 17: Repeat steps 15 and 16 with the second group. The working cord will be number 6, and the heads of the knots need to head inward also. |
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| Step 18: Bring all the cords together, and re-number them 1 thru 10. Tie 2 Square Knots with cords 4 thru 7. |
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Step 19: Direct cords 1 and 10 towards the center. Attach strands 2 thru 5 to holding cord 1 with DHH. Do the same with strands 6 thru 9, attaching them to holding cord 10. Attach cord 1 to 10, to complete the design.
Cut all the strands to 2 inches. Weave them into the back of the Western belt, and apply glue to secure them. |
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DESIGNING THE SECOND HALF |
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Step 20: Repeat steps 1 thru 10 for the other half of the Western belt.
Step 21: Number the strands 1 thru 10. Take cords 1 and 10, and direct them diagonally, towards the center of the Western Belt design. They should follow the bottom portion of the last Diamond tied. DHH strands 2 thru 5 to holding cord 1. Attach strands 6 thru 9 to the other holding cord (10). Attach number 1 to holding cord 10, with DHH.
Flip the holding cords out of the way, and don’t use them in the next row. |
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Step 22: Number the strands 1 thru 8. Strands 1 and 8 are the holding cords. Tie another row of DHH, attaching strands 2 thru 4 to the left holding cord (1). Strands 5 thru 7 should be attached to the other holding cord. Attach holding cord 8 to number 1 to complete the design.
Move these holding cords out of the way as well. |
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Step 23: Number the cords 1 thru 6. Direct strands 1 and 6 diagonally, to be used as the holding cords in this row. Attach strands 2 and 3 to holding cord 1, and 3 and 4 to holding cord 6. Attach number 1 to holding cord 6.
Move the holding cords out of the way. |
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| Step 24: For the final row, simply attach cord 2 to 1, and do the same with 3, attaching it to cord 4. |
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FINISHING TOUCHES |
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Step 25: Pass cords 5 and 6 through the shank in the button used for the clasp. Tie a Square knot just below, using 5 and 6 as the working cords, and all the others as fillers. Switch cords and tie a second SK.
Apply glue to both knots, and allow it to dry completely. Cut off any remaining cord, or trim the ends and weave them through spaces in the back of the Western belt. |
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