This project is great for youngsters, ‘tweens, and teens. It’s incredibly simple yet very cute. Kids who want to accessorize their favorite clothing with stylish hanging belts can now have one for every outfit. These belts only take moments to make and they cost very little.
Start by purchasing a good selection of yarn or using up yarn you already have. You can also use fabric, suede, leather, rawhide, or denim, in thin strips. You can make belts using all the same yarn/fabric or create a mixture of colors of textures. You can combine any materials you like.
Smaller Children
Cut yarn or fabric into strands that measure about one and one half yards long (shorter for really tiny kids). Use as many strands as you like. Make some thin belts and some thick. Tie a knot right in the middle. Using the knot as one end and the loose end as the other, tie a knot in the middle of that section. Do the same on the other side then tie knots at both ends, and continue this process until you get close to the ends. Tie a knot at each end, leaving some fringe. Trim ends to make them even.
‘Tweens and Teens
For older kids, cut strands two and one half yards long and follow the instructions above. Tie loosely over tunics or thread through belt loops and tie in a square knot off to one side.
Variations:
Cut longer strands of yarn or fabric (1/2 yard to 1 yard longer) and braid the strands before you begin tying knots. Leave about six inches unbraided at each end for knots and fringe.
Add beads the length of each strand of fringe, or bead some and leave some plain.
These belts can also be used as dressy or cold weather scarves, although you may want to make them a bit longer if you intend to use them as scarves too. Wrap around the neck and then allow one side to hang down in front, one in back. You can also wrap from the front, bringing both ends back around to hang down in front.
For a braided scarf, sew large coordinating tassels to the end knots instead of leaving loose fringe.