The Beaded Bikini Belt

I thought maybe someone out there may know of a young person wanting a (IMHO) kicky little belt to wear. So while reading over my Nicky Epstein book I came across this pattern that was just screaming to become just such a belt. So I here by give you:

The Beaded Bikini Belt.

Please note that I did not string enough beads to put a bead on each loop. On the one I knit up I was using too heavy a bead so only did every other loop. Hope you have fun with the pattern and let me know how yours come out.



Materials:
One skein of Silky Wool Yarn
Size 6 needles
Beads (you’ll need approximately 9 beads for each motif) to be strung on your yarn before knitting commences.
Button
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch

** Slip all sts knit wise
***SB1 – Slip one bead

You’re going to need to measure the body in which the belt will be worn. Measure just above the hip level and subtract an inch (or so) for stretch.

Cast on 12 stitches. Follow chart until piece measures desired length ending with Row 32. Belt should rest just on the hips of recipient. Knit the first 7 stitches allowing the remaining stitches (for the fringe) to drop from the needle. On the remaining 7 stitches, knit 3 more rows. Next row – button hole row. Knit two stitches. Bind off middle 3 stitches, knit last two stitches. Turn work, k2, cast on 3 stitches, k2. Knit two more rows and Bind off. Stitch on the button at the other end of the belt; weave in ends; and pull out the stitches for the fringe. At this point you may want to use an iron to straighten out the fringe and make the belt motifs lay down flat.

(Pattern: Imperial bead fringe from Nicky Epstein – Knitting on the Edge)

Row 1 (WS) sl 1, k11, turn
Row 2: SB1, k7, yo, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice.
Row 3: sl1, k3, p1, k8
Row 4: SB1, k7, yo, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 5: sl1, k3, p2, k8
Row 6: SB1, k7, yo, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 7: sl1, k3, p3, k8
Row 8: SB1, k7, yo, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 9: sl1, k3, p4, k8
Row 10: SB1, k7, yo, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 11: sl1, k3, p5, k8
Row 12: SB1, k7, yo, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 13: sl1, k3, p6, k8
Row 14: SB1, k7, yo, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 15: sl1, k3, p7, k8
Row 16: SB1, k7, yo, k8, [yo, k2tog] twice (20 sts)
Row 17: sl1, k3, p8, k8
Row 18: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 19: Sl1, k3, p6, p2tog, k8
Row 20: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 21: Sl1, k3, p5, p2tog, k8
Row 22: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 23: Sl1, k3, p4, p2tog, k8
Row 24: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 25: Sl1, k3, p3, p2tog, k8
Row 26: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 27: Sl1, k3, p2, p2tog, k8
Row 28: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 29: Sl1, k3, p1, p2tog, k8
Row 30: SB1, k7, k2tog, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 31: Sl1, k3, p2tog, k7 (12 sts)
Row 32: SB1, k7, k1 [yo, k2tog] twice

BTW: As I was working this pattern out I was thinking of my friend (who's rather far away right now) better known as the Wry Punster. I'll have to wait until she returns from her class abroad to find out if it is as "kicky" as I think it is.

Keep'em clickin!!