Simple and Easy Macrame Braid Belt

I had a favourite belt that was just a simple leather braid. When it finally wore out I wanted to make a new one. I thought a really easy macrame replacement would be a great way to make a similarly braided belt, but when I searched the internet I could not find a pattern. So in desperation, I decided to make one. I am really basic with my macrame skills, but this belt required almost no macrame knowledge and I reckon it looks rather neat.

If you fancy a simple, no nonsense macrame belt that uses just 2 knots, then why not try this pattern.

Finished size: My belt measures 107cm (42 inches). Note: this was not the longest size belt this pattern would make. I had about 35-40cm left on the cord lengths when I cut them off, so you could make this belt a bit longer I’m sure.

My belt is 3cm wide when all the lengths are macrame and braided. This is quite wide because I like a solid belt, but I am thinking 2mm cords would give a more delicate belt. I’d love to see if anyone tried this!

Materials:

• 48 metres of 3mm macrame cord. I used polyester cord for the black version, but I also trialled an off-white version in 3mm cotton and it worked really well too. The polyester just looks shinier and less homemade.
• Belt buckle with at least a 3cm bar. I recycled one (stole it off an old belt of my husband). I say at least 3cm for the bar width because this was very cosy fit for the cord. The off-white version of the belt I made used a 3.5cm belt buckle and the cords fit much better.
• Tape measure
• Scissors to cut cord
• Spare length of cord, or ‘s’ hook to hang up the belt while you work
• Supplies for sewing up the end of the belt:
• Large eye needle
• fabric glue
• Sewing thread or linen thread in matching colour to the cord. I used Gutermann Linen Thread, which is stronger than normal thread. I don’t know if I needed to over-engineer but I happened to have some of the thread handy
• thread wax or a candle for the linen thread (optional)

So this is a really simple design. I won’t show you how to do the knots because I am not very good and there are a bunch of better tutorials out there on the internet. You only really need to know how to tie 2 knots for the project – square knots and clove hitches to start the cords.

To make the belt, I used 6 lengths of macrame cord cut to 8 metres each. I folded each length of cord over the buckle bar (end bit) and fixed them in place with a clove hitch. I put 3 lengths of rope on one side of the buckle prong (“pin” thing) and 3 on the other side. That meant I had 6 ends of cord on each side of the prong – a total of 12 cords dangling from the bar. I worked in groups of 4 cords at a time using square knots to make 3 long square knot ropes. Then I loosely plaited the 3 lengths to form a single plait and then ended them off. The 6 metres is important. It’s always better to go longer.

I tried to methods to end the belt and I will explain both. But first, let’s expand those instructions just a little.

Use your tape measure to measure and cut 2 lengths of macrame rope measuring 8 metres in length. I know this feels long but trust me, macrame knots are hungry and you can’t add rope easily.

Take the first of the 2 lengths you cut and loop it over the belt bar on the left side of the prong with a clove hitch. But here is the REALLY IMPORTANT bit. Don’t make the clove hitch in the middle of the length of cord. Instead make the clove hitch so that one side of the cord has 6 metres on it and the other has 2 metres. This is really important because the 2 metre end will be the non-working cord while the 6 metre end will be the working cord.

Repeat the loop with the second 8 metre length of cord on the right side of the prong and with the clove hitch now at 2 metres and 6 metres along the cord. Have a look at the visual pattern page I have attached to this Instructable to understand but you will want 4 dangling cords that are in the following sequence: 6 metres, then 2 metres, then the belt prong, then 2 metres, then 6 metres.

Now start to work a really long string of square knots using the outer 6 metre long cords only. Be sure you keep the tension in your knots even as you work.

Here’s my tip: use a spare length of rope to tie your belt buckle up to something high enough so you can work standing up and let gravity be your friend. I looped my buckle over a chin up bar hanging in the doorway and used the “s” hook to control the dangling bits of cord. I was comfortable working, starting by standing on a foot stool, then just standing and finally sitting on a chair.

You are possibly asking why I only have put 2 of the 6 lengths of cord on the belt so far. Basically, I thought it was less ‘rope-y’ on the floor to just work one section of the belt at a time.

I worked square knots in the cords for about 1 metre and then stopped. The length of 1 metre is just rough at this stage because braiding the 3 lengths of macrame will reduce their length. You can make adjustments later. Just DON’T cut any rope off at this point.

I worked the second and third sections of the belt in exactly the same way as the middle one. If you are keen put all the cords on the bar at once and work the two lengths at the same time. Whatever feels best for you.

Eventually you will have 3 * 1 metre long sections of macrame rope ready for braiding.

Before you start this step it’s a good idea to have a spare piece of rope on hand to hold the ends after you have plaited them. I didn’t think of this and then had to reach around on the floor for a piece of ribbon!

Take your three macrame lengths in your hand and start at the belt buckle end. Just work a loosely plaited length trying not to twist the cords as you work. You don’t want to the plait to be tight because the looser plait has a better shape as a belt and it will allow you to put the buckle prong through the gaps to do up the belt.

Loosely tie off your belt length but don’t cut anything!

The belt length won’t be right when you try it on. You will need to work extensions in the square knots sections to get the belt to a comfortable length so it’s a bit of trial and error.

I measured the belt on myself and made sure I had enough tongue on the belt to fit through comfortably. You could also just measure your favourite belt.

I tried 2 methods for ending off the belt. Both worked well but the end I did on the black polyester version worked best.

Black belt method:

After determining the length of your belt, work enough square knots so that the plait end can be squared off straight. Line all the un-worked dangling ends of the cords up straight. Work 2 square knots in the following sequence:

Leave 2 cords un-worked on the left side, then take 2 cords from each of the long strands of macrame and work one square knot with them, then work a second square knot again catching two lengths together, then leave the right most 2 cords un-worked.

Complete a row of 3 square knots, then a second row of two knots and then finally a single square knot in the middle. Have a look at the diagram page and the photo if this feels complex.

After I worked the knots, I decided to end the cords on the underside of the belt by first cutting them off with about 2 cm length. I then wrapped some thread around each length with the sewing thread (I used linen thread) and then one by one caught them down to the back with a couple of hand stitches. After I had caught all the ends down, put a good portion of fabric glue over the top to stop fraying.

I have read you can use heat to melt off the end of the polyester cords. I didn’t trust myself to do this.

The off-white version:

If the black version seems hard, the other off-white belt was ended just by machine sewing the ends off to a straight end. Then I took a scrap of calico and made a little pocket to slide over the end and machined this to the belt. Because it looked plain I did a bit of a quick embroidery design on the calico. It looks okay but the black one looks more professional.