Waist Cinch Belt Pattern

COATS & CLARK'S O.N.T. "SPEED-CRO-SHEEN" MERCERIZED COTTON, Art. C.44: 2 balls of No. 51 Spice.
Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 1/0 (zero).
5 small buttons.

   Starting at lower edge, make a chain slightly longer than length desired. 1st row: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across until row measures 1 inch less than waist measurement, hav­ing number of stitches (including turn­ing chain) divisible by 3 with 1 left over. Cut off remaining chain. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: Sc in first dc, * ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc. Repeat from * across. Ch 4, turn. 3rd to 8th rows inch Sc in first loop, * ch 3, sc in next loop. Repeat from * across. Ch 4, turn. 9th row: Work as for 3rd row, omitting turning chain. Break off.

EDGING … With right side of first dc row facing, attach thread to lower corner of front edge (short end of strip), ch 3, 3 dc under turning chain, (2 dc in next loop, dc in next sc) 4 times; 5 dc in corner loop, dc in first sc of upper edge, * 2 dc in next loop, dc in next sc. Repeat from * across, 5 dc in corner and work other front edge to correspond. Join and break off.

LOOPS … With right side of edging facing and working along the long edge, attach thread to first dc at corner, sc in same dc, * insert hook in next dc, with middle finger of left hand hold thread down against back of work to form a ¾ inch loop, thread over hook and draw loop through, thread over hook and draw through both loops on hook (loop st made). Repeat from * across. Break off. Attach thread to first loop st and make a loop st in each loop st across. Break off. Work 2 rows of loop sts in same manner at opposite side of Belt. Sc in each st across one short (front) edge. Break off. Work a row of sc along opposite edge. Turn.

BUTTONLOOPS … Sl st in first sc, (ch 5, skip next sc, sl st in next 4 sc) 4 times; ch 5, skip next sc, sl st in next sc. Break off. Sew buttons in place.