This post contains affiliate links
Charleston Belt is a free crochet belt pattern that was featured on Joy Of Motion blog. I have designed this cute crochet accessory as a guest designer for Janne’s beautiful blog. Have a read through the blog about my fabulous testers and see what they said about this crochet belt. Or scroll down for the free crochet belt pattern.
FREE CROCHET BELT DESIGN PROCESS
I am always up for adding a touch of crochet to any of my outfits. But sometimes it is just too warm for a sweater or a shawl. That’s why I have designed this free crochet belt pattern. My Charleston Belt is such a versatile make that will be perfect for any occassion.
Whether you are dressing up to go out-out or just putting on some casual clothes, I guarantee that you can add a belt to emphasise your curves!
Grab the inexpensive ad free, printer friendly PDF version of this pattern below.
This blog post contains affiliate links and if you click through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I link these companies and their products because of their quality and service not because of the commission I receive from your purchase.
YARN I USED FOR MY CROCHET BELT
I have chosen to use Cygnet Cottony DK. I really enjoy working with this yarn as it has the best qualities from both cotton and acrylic. Moreover, the viscose element adds a lovely sheen to this yarn. If you want to substitute, I would recommend using pure cotton rather than acrylic yarn. You need that lovely stitch definition of a cotton to make this belt pattern to work.
The free crochet belt pattern is now available in full on my blog. I would like to introduce you to my fabulous testers and tempt you into making your very own belt. Because once you see these ladies’ beauiful work, you won’t resist!
Marcia
Hi, I am Marcia the creator behind @aufaitcrochet
I spent most of my younger years dabbling in crafts of some sort. Since young age, I have enjoyed trying many different things. I progressed on to take textile art at secondary school which was my absolute favourite subject!
At that point in time, I hadn’t yet really taken to any fibre based makes. My Mother and Grandmother can both knit and crochet very well. I think that it is from their influence that I first decided to pick up a crochet hook myself.
After graduating from university in late 2015, I moved to Norfolk to live with my fiancé Glenn. I had some spare time before starting work as an NHS Dietitian. I borrowed a hook and yarn, followed a tutorial by Bella Coco Crochet on YouTube and made my first bright purple granny square. That really was a happy moment; I had created something from nothing.
I have since gone on to learn much more. You will never find me far away from my hook and yarn. Although I am a fan of the granny square, I have ventured out to follow written patterns for different items. It’s been an exciting year for me. Firstly, I have designed and had my first pattern published! I have also been extremely humbled to act as a pattern tester for some other fantastic makers.
MARCIA’S THOUGHTS ABOUT CROCHET CHARLESTON BELT
I have particularly enjoyed pattern testing the ‘Charleston’ crochet belt for Veronika at Blue Star Crochet. It was really satisfying seeing it come together. The pattern starts off with the central motif that really catches the eye. It then moves on to chevrons created evenly each side to achieve a textured effect.
I love the tie fastenings at the back so that it can be adjusted. Depending on if you want to wear it as a higher than waist belt with a smart outfit, directly on the waist for a more casual put together look, or lower down with a loose floaty skirt. For these reasons it is a great go to accessory. It would be ideal for taking away on holiday and should be a definite staple in your wardrobe.
You can keep up to date with my latest makes and follow along on Instagram (@aufaitcrochet). I also have a blog website at www.aufaitcrochet.com. Feel free to get in touch.
Mary-Lynn
I’m Mary-Lynn and I live in Northern Ireland. I started crocheting six years ago, and at first I thought I would never get the hang of it! This was followed by a lot of trial and error until started making headway – I even crocheted my wedding bouquet! I was off work for a couple of months last year and earlier this year due to illness.
I decided to make the best of this by delving deeper into garment making. This lead me to pattern testing, which has been the most amazing journey this year and has taught me so much. Someday I hope to be able to design my own patterns too. You can find me on Instagram as @whollyhooked.
WHAT MARY-LYNN SAID ABOUT HER MAKE
I loved testing the Charleston Belt! I wear a lot of dresses and skirts so it’s great to have a little bit of crochet to jazz up an outfit. The popcorn flower square is so cute. I found the repetitive stitches of the belt itself really soothing to work. I’m excited to see more of these belts popping up now!
Kayleigh-Marie
Hi I’m Kayleigh-Marie, @onehookandathreadoffate on Instagram. I live with my family and 3 pet rabbits. Bluebell who has just turned 10, Sixpence who recently turned 3, and Peaches. Some people write their secrets down in a diary I tell mine to the bunnies! The younger two are always getting up to mischief amongst my yarn and crochet projects.
I first tried crocheting when I was at sixth form during a textiles class. But I really didn’t understand it and the “flower” turned into a bowl, oops. I don’t really remember learning to knit. But I remember when I wanted a refresher on it my Mum had to teach my Dad, because she’s left handed and I couldn’t understand it backwards.
During my GCSEs and A Levels I got quite into knitting again. But the crochet just didn’t click. A couple of years after that crochet flower/bowl I got a job where I met several crafty ladies. One in particular was really into crochet and she inspired me to teach myself from YouTube videos, books, and magazine tutorials. Now I can’t imagine not having a crochet project, or 2789, on the go.
KAYLEIGH-MARIE’S THOUGHTS ABOUT FREE CROCHET CHARLESTON BELT PATTERN
Being asked to test the Charleston Belt pattern was an absolute honour! It’s such a pretty design and so wearable. I had so many thoughts while I was making it about what I would wear it with; in the end I put it with quite a floaty top because I love the boho summery feel. But I’ve already thought about all the other outfits I could put it with! The belt crocheted up so quickly that I can imagine I’ll be making more in different colours, so that I can really have one for every outfit.
Melanie
My name is Mel and I am the one woman band behind Crochet UK. I started crocheting over 14 years ago when I realised that I can’t knit. A few years ago I discovered handmade yarn cakes and have fallen in love with them. I enjoyed working with them so much that I started making and selling them myself.
What I enjoy the most is creating all the different colour combinations, plus this cake is zero calories! I also enjoy pattern testing for different designers. My favourite makes are sweaters, cardigans (with pockets) and shawls. Come and say hello over on Instagram, I’m @crochet_uk.co.uk
MELANIE’S THOUGHTS ABOUT CHARLESTON BELT
I loved making the Charleston Belt pattern, because the belt is different and very stylish. It is a great way to divide similar, but not matching coloured clothes. Like the white top and white skirt seen in the picture.
Now that you are tempted to make your own Charleston Belt, check out the free crochet belt pattern below.
MATERIALS
- Cygnet Cottony (DK weight; 46% cotton, 46% premium acrylic, 8% viscose; 111m per 50g ball) uses 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) balls in Oatmeal
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE
The finished circumference/belt length wraps around the waistline but does not meet at the back in order to leave a gap for tying a knot with the strings. The finished width of the belt is 8 cm.
| SIZE | WAIST | FINISHED LENGTH EXCLUDING TIES |
| XS | 58.5 – 61 cm | 50 cm |
| S | 63.5 – 67.5 cm | 59cm |
| M | 71 -76 cm | 65 cm |
| L | 81.5 – 86.5 cm | 73 cm |
| XL | 91.5 – 96.5 cm | 84 cm |
| 2XL | 101.5 – 106.5 cm | 94 cm |
| 3XL | 111.5 – 114 cm | 104 cm |
| 4XL | 116.5 – 119 cm | 112 cm |
| 5XL | 124 – 127 cm | 117 cm |
TENSION
Finished square in the middle measures 6 x 6 cm or 9 cm from point to point 11 x 7 rows = 5 x 5 cm measured over sc blo worked in chevron.
TENSION SWATCH PATTERN
Chain 26.
Row 1: working in 2nd ch from hook, 12 sc, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) in next, sc to end, turn. [26 sc]
Row 2: 1 ch (doesn’t count as a st), 1 sc2tog blo, sc blo across to next 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into next 2 ch-sp, sc blo across to last 2 sts, 1 sc2tog blo, turn. [26 sc]
Repeat Row 2 for pattern until the swatch is big enough to measure your tension.
STITCHES AND ABBEVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
mc- magic circle
ch- chain stitch
sc- single crochet
sl st- slip stitch
pc- popcorn stitch- work 5 dc into same stitch, remove hook from last dc, insert hook into first dc made, grab the loop of last dc and pull through the first dc
V st- (1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc) worked in same stitch/space sc blo- single crochet worked through back loop only
sc2tog blo- single crochet the following 2 stitches together working through back loop only
st- stitch
beg- beginning
rep- repeat
PATTERN NOTES
- The pattern starts with a square motif that becomes the middle of the belt
- The belt is then created by working rows of sc blo around 2 edges of the square at a time
- Last few rows are decreased at each end of the row to create more pointed ends to the belt
- It is finished off with strings that are crocheted as part of the last row
- Each string is created at either edge of the pointed end of the belt
SIZE ADJUSTMENTS
- the finished size of the square determines the width of the belt, if you prefer a wider belt work additional sc rounds of the square, working 1 sc in each st around and (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into corner 2 ch-sp
- to adjust the length/circumference, add or take away same number of rows of sc blo to both sides of the belt (either side of the square to keep it in centre)
MAIN PATTERN
SQUARE
Make magic circle, 1 ch to fix in position.
Round 1: 1 ch (doesn’t count as a st here and throughout), 8 sc into mc, sl st tofirst sc. [8 sc]
Rnd 2: 2 ch (doesn’t count as a st), (1 pc, 2 ch) into each st around, sl st to firstpc. [8 pc & eight 2 ch-sp]
Round 3: sl st into next 2 ch-sp, 5 ch, 1 dc into same 2 ch-sp at the bottom of 5 ch (countsasfirstVst),1Vstintoeach2ch-sparound,slstto3rd chofbeg5ch. [8 V sts]
Rnd 4: 1 ch, 1 sc in same st, **(2 sc, 2 ch, 2 sc) into next 2 ch-sp, 1 sc into each of next 2 dc, 2 sc into next 2 ch-sp, 1 sc into each of next 2 dc; repeat from ** around omitting last sc, sl st to first sc. [40 sc]
Rnd 5: 1 ch, **1 sc into each st until next corner 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into corner 2 ch-sp; rep from ** around, sl st to first sc. [48 sc]Fasten off.
BELT
Join yarn in any corner 2 ch-sp
Row 1: 1 ch, 1 sc2tog working the corner 2 ch-sp together with the first sc through blo, 11 sc blo, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into corner 2 ch-sp, 11 sc blo, 1 sc2tog working together last sc through blo and next 2 ch-sp, turn your work leaving the remaining sts unworked. [26 sc]
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 sc2tog blo (working the first 2 sts together), 11 sc blo, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into next 2 ch-sp, 11 sc blo, 1 sc2tog blo (working the last 2 sts together), turn. [26 sc]
Repeat Row 2 another 16 (23, 27, 33, 40, 47, 54, 60, 64) times
Row 19 (26, 30, 36, 43, 50, 57, 63, 67): 1 ch, 2 sc2tog blo, 1 sc blo across to next 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into next 2 ch-sp, 1 sc blo across to last 4 sts, 2 sc2tog blo, turn. [24 sc]
Row 20 (27, 31, 37, 44, 51, 58, 64, 68): 1 ch, 1 sc2tog blo, 1 sc blo across to next 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) into next 2 ch-sp, 1 sc blo across to last 2 sts, 1 sc2tog blo, turn. [24 sc]
Repeat last 2 rows another 4 times for all sizes. [16 sc]
Last row: chain 100, 1 sl st into each st of the chain just created, sl st into next sc on the main belt, 1 sc blo across to next 2 ch-sp, 1 sc into next 2 ch-sp, chain 100, 1 sl st into each st of the chain just created, 1 sc into same 2 ch-sp, 1 sc blo across to last st, chain 100, 1 sl st into each st of the chain just created, 1 sc blo in last st. Fasten off.
Rejoin yarn in same starting 2 ch-sp and repeat pattern for belt on the other side.
FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
Sew in all ends. Block to dimensions if necessary.
If you enjoyed this pattern, why not check out my other free accessories crochet patterns HERE.
