Natural Knitting:
Hemp is a great fiber for knitting because it doesn't need pesticides to grow well, making it a naturally greener choice than some of the yarns out there.
While it might feel a little stiff to work with at first, hemp gets softer as you wash it, making it great for all sorts of garments. But this knit belt is a good introduction to knitting with hemp, and it beautifully shows off the texture of the Linen Stitch.
Materials:
- One skein LanaKnits Hemp for Knitting #102 allhemp6, or about 83 yards of a lightweight hemp, cotton or linen yarn (I used color brick; this project takes half a skein)
- one pair size 6 US needles
- scissors
- yarn needle
- two D-rings or belt hardware of your choice to fit the width of your belt
Gauge:
24 stitches and 32 rows per four inches (6 stitches and 8 rows per inch)in pattern stitch. Gauge is not critical.
Size:
Finished belt is two inches wide and 43 inches long (slightly shorter after you sew in buckle). It can be made to any length you desire.
Instructions:
- Cast on 12 stitches.
- Work in Linen Stitch, as follows, until piece measures 43 inches long or your desired length.
- Bind off, cut yarn and weave in ends.
- With an extra length of yarn and a yarn needle, sew on your belt buckle, as required for the hardware you choose. To make as show, fold the edge of the belt over two D-rings and stitch closed.
Linen Stitch:
Row 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front. Repeat from * across, ending with a knit 1.
Row 2: *Purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in back. Repeat from * across, ending with a purl 1.
Repeat these two rows for pattern. When slipping stitches, always slip as if to purl.
