The creation of Pillow Belts came as a result of my desire to renew the looks of various rooms as the season’s change, without going broke. Depending on the yarn and/or embellishments you choose, these belts can be made: floral, nautical, funky, fancy, beaded, or elegant.

As the seasons pass, just swap the pillow belts around, and store unused belts with some lavender sachets or cedar to keep moths away and have the belts smelling fantastic the next time they come into rotation.

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
beg - beginning

Floral Belt

Ch 17. Turn.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (16 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 2: Sc in each st across (16 sc).

Repeat row 2 until crocheted strip fits snugly around your pillow.

Fold belt in half, right sides together. Ch 1, sl st the ends together to form a ring. Do not finish off. Twist belt right side out and turn horizontal. Ch 1. Sc evenly along raw edge of belt, around. Join with sl st to beg ch. Finish off.

Attach yarn to second raw edge just to the right of joining seam (by starting to the right of seam, it will lay more flat), ch 1, sc evenly along edge. Join with sl st to beg ch. Finish off.

Weave in all ends.

Embellish:

I needle felted the flower and buds used to decorate this belt. The stem is embroidered using a basic loop stitch or lazy daisy stitch with around 3 yards of DMC Senso (fingering weight) wool/cotton blend in color no. 1303.

You can cross-stitch a design, or embroider, sew on crocheted or silk flowers, buttons or any other adornments that will compliment the décor of your room. (Tip: search the scrapbooking aisles of your local craft store for supplies and ideas.)

Nautical Belt

You will need

• Lily Sugar ‘n Cream (worsted weight, 2.5 oz/70g, 120yds/109m, 100% cotton) varying amounts of:
  • Black, Navy, Red, Natural, Yellow, and Green (or colors of your choice)
• US G/6 (4.25mm) hook
• 12” Pillow
• Yarn needle – for sewing in ends

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
beg = beginning

Follow pattern of Floral Belt, randomly switching colors to produce non-patterned stripes. I chose not to finish the sides. I liked the look of raw edges for this particular belt.

Finish off and weave in all ends.

Funky Belt

You will need

• Red Heart Super Saver (worsted weight, 100% acrylic), 1 skein in color of choice
• Lion Brand Fun Fur (or any other “eyelash” novelty yarn)
• US H/8 (5.0mm) hook
• 14” Pillow
• Yarn needle – for sewing in ends

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
hdc = half-double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)

Begin

Ch 135. Being very careful not to twist chain, join with sl st to form a ring.

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next 6 chains, 3 hdc in next ch, hdc in next 7 ch, sk 2 ch. *hdc in next 7 ch, 3 hdc in next ch, hdc in next 7 ch, sk 2 ch* repeat * to * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 2.

Row 2: Sl st in next st, ch 2, hdc in each of next 6 sts, 3 hdc in next st, * 1 hdc in next 7 sts, sk 2 sts repeat * to * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Repeat Row 2 until desired width is reached.

Finish off.

*Working with both ends of novelty yarn, attach both strands to the first stitch. Repeat Row 2 with both strands held together. Sl st to top of beg ch 2. Finish off. * Flip belt to where you will now be working into beginning chain. Repeat * to *.

Finish off and weave in all ends.

Fancy Belt

You will need

• Lion Brand Lion Chenille (worsted weight, 3oz/85g, 174yds/158m, 100% acrylic) 1 skein
• US H/8 (5.0mm) hook
• 14” Pillow
• Yarn needle – for sewing in ends.

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
sk = skip
ea = each
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

Begin

Ch 81. Being very careful not to twist chain, join to form ring.

Row 1: Ch 5, (sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5), around.

Row 2: *Sl st into beg ch of first ch 5 loop. Sl st into next 2 ch, sc into loop. (Ch 5, sc in next loop), around. Ending each round with a ch 5.* Repeat * to * until desired width is reached.

Sl st into next sc and in next 3 ch. (Ch 2, sc into 3rd ch of next loop) around. Sl st into first sl st of round, ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join, finish off. Weave in end.

Join yarn into first (or last) ch of beginning chain. Ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join. Finish off. Weave in all ends.

Beaded Belt (pictured at top of page)

You will need

• 1 ball Lily Sugar ‘n Cream (worsted weight cotton, 2.5oz/70g, 120yds/109m, 100% cotton) in Ecru
• US G/6 (4.25mm) hook
• 12” Pillow
• 165 pony beads
• Yarn needle – for sewing in ends.

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
sk = skip
ea = each
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Begin

String beads onto yarn.

Ch 81. Being very careful not to twist chain, join to form ring.

Row 1: Ch 5, (sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5), around.

Row 2: *Sl st into beg ch of first ch 5 loop. Sl st into next 2 ch, sc into loop. (Ch 5, pull bead up to working yarn, sc in next loop.), around. Ending each round with a ch 5.* Repeat * to * until desired width is reached.

Sl st into next sc and in next 3 ch. (Ch 2, sc into 3rd ch of next loop), around. Sl st into first sl st of round, ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join, finish off. Weave in end.

Join yarn into first (or last) ch of beginning chain. Ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join. Finish off. Weave in all ends.

Elegant Belt

You will need

• 1 ball Aunt Lydia 's "Shimmer" Fashion (sport weight, 2oz/124yds, 64% cotton/36% rayon) in white.
  • Black, Navy, Red, Natural, Yellow, and Green (or colors of your choice)
• US F/5 (3.75mm) hook
• Fits 10” pillow
• Yarn needle – for sewing in ends.

US pattern conventions used
ch = chain
sk = skip
ea = each
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
picot = ch 3, sl st into sc just made

Begin

Ch 81. Being very careful not to twist chain, join to form ring.

Row 1: Ch 5, (sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5), around.

Row 2: *Sl st into beg ch of first ch 5 loop. Sl st into next 2 ch, sc into loop, work picot. (Ch 5, sc in next loop, work picot.), around. Ending each round with a ch 5.* Repeat * to * until desired width is reached.

Sl st into next sc and in next 3 ch. (Ch 2, sc into 3rd ch of next loop), around. Sl st into first sl st of round, ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join, finish off. Weave in end.

Join yarn into first (or last) ch of beginning chain. Ch 1. Sc in ea ch around, join. Finish off. Weave in all ends.