When You Don't Have Time to Quilt

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Teal Friday

After it was too late to change last week's introductory Yellow Friday pattern, I learned something pretty cool. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. So a lot quicker than expected, the project is changing color to keep up with the seasons.

This project was designed last spring when I broke my right wrist in a bicycle booboo. I couldn't crochet with a small hook very easily, and I needed easy-to-dive-into clothing with plenty of arm room for a cast. I converted an easy, three seam tent dress into a fashion statement by creating my first-ever (intentionally) fulled project: a crocheted belt that just happens to have a bit of teal to match the dress.



You may do whatever you like with the belts you make with this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 2 inches wide by 51 inches long (not including the loops), depending upon personal length preferences
Materials: 1 50-gram skein of worsted weight wool yarn that will full or felt (superwash or acrylic yarn will not full or felt but may be suitable for this project if the fiber stiffening process of fulling is not desired), size G crochet hook or size to obtain tight stitches (gauge is not critical in this project), pillow case or sealable mesh bag for felting (fulling), washing machine, measuring tape
NOTE: I used Noro Kureyon yarn for my belt.

Instructions

Measure your waist or hips (or anywhere in between), depending on where you like you’re your belts to ride.

Ideally, a belt should be as long as the circumference of your waist, plus 6 to 12 inches, depending upon personal preference. I like a very long leader to wrap around the cinched belt and hang down (because I haven’t outgrown the ‘80s and ‘90s), so my belt is 51 inches long, about 18 inches longer than the circumference of the lowest portion of my waist prior to my hips.

Belt Loops: Ch 25; sl st in starting ch to form ring. 35 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Ch 1, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc, ch 20, sl st in starting sc to form 2nd ring, ch 1, turn. 28 sc in 2nd ring, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc on 2nd tier of 1st ring, ch 1, turn.

Row 1: 1 sc in each of next 8 sc. Ch 1, turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Repeat Row 1 for desired length of belt.
Next Row:: To begin forming point at end of belt, work 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 1, turn.
Next Row: 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next hdc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next hdc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 1, turn.
Last Row: 1 sc in each of next 5 st, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: To full the belt, place in pillow case and tie a loose knot in top of case, or place in mesh bag and seal. Wash in washing machine using a standard agitation cycle, not gentle. I washed mine with jeans. Twice. I also used a couple capfuls of hair conditioner the second time around to soften the wool.

To be safe, you should check the process of your fulling as it goes. Another method sometimes used is to microwave (or heat in a double-burner) the belt in water, then follow with a cool water rinse. It is advised to carefully monitor this technique as the cold water is what shocks the wool into fullness, and it can go quite quickly.

After washing, pin and shape the belt and allow it to dry. I pinned mine onto my spare bed, with a sheet and towel beneath to protect the bed. Mine needed only minimal shaping, mostly to keep it from curling. It has held its shape all these months with no further attention.

After the belt dries, try it on, and send kind thoughts and lots of prayers out to those who are battling ovarian cancer.

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Southpaw

These are some things I can do with my left hand.

I can sew simple dresses with armholes big enough to get the cast through (as long as The Lizard cuts the fabric for me).

I can crochet worsted yarn with a size H hook to keep the new geometric jumper from looking like a tent.


I can felt a belt!


I can finally finish redoing Carmen's socks. (Because I accidentally made one foot too short and then procrastinated.)


I can line the purse I made from leftovers two years ago.


I can line the Noro skirt I finished a few weeks ago.


I can spin. !!! !!! !!!


I can read.


I can Photoshop.


I can pack these documents...


...into these red wells...


...and mail them in these boxes, which I assembled by myself.

Most importantly, I can do taxes (although The Lizard graciously provided most of the typing this year, as his typing is more accurate than mine right now). Oh, how we hate taxes. But ta da!!! We're DONE!

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