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    August 1, 2020

    How To Braid 4 Strand Rope - easy rope belt tutorial

    Learn how to braid a rope with 4 strands of yarn! This easy braided rope can be used as a belt for crochet dresses, cover ups and tops or as a drawstring for back packs or straps on a crochet bag!

    nautical 4 strand braided rope cord belt from cotton yarn

    The 4 strand braid is one of the easiest braided ropes you’ll ever make! There are only 4 steps that you just repeat over and over until you reach your desired length.

    Scroll down for the step-by-step video tutorial and there's also a photo tutorial!

    This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

    If you love waist definition, the 4 strand braided rope is the perfect belt to match any summer crochet dress. When I was designing the Seascape Scallop Dress, I really wanted to be able to change the shape between the flowy, loose drape to a more fitted look. Belts are the easiest way to achieve different silhouettes without permanently changing the design!

    summer crochet dress with tie straps and scallop v-neck with bike and yarn basket

    Initially I wanted to crochet a belt to match the Seascape Dress but ultimately the thick belt was too overpowering and I decided a simple braided cord would look best. This 4 strand rope has ‘nautical’ look to it and the best part is you can literally use this braid as a belt for any dress (even if they aren’t crocheted!).

    You’ll want to use strands for yarn that are approximately 1.5 times longer than the length of your desired cord / belt. For example, if you want a 100cm braid, 100 x 1.5 = 150. So, you’ll need to cut 4 strands of yarn that measure long 150cm.

    The thicker the yarn, the more yarn you’ll need so if you’re using a really thick yarn I’d suggest cutting a bit extra (closer to 2 times the length of your cord) just to make sure you have enough.

    One thing to note is that in the example photos I’m using ‘4 sets’ of 4 strands of yarn, so 16 strands of yarn in total. I was using a quite a light yarn (a thick sport weight yarn – WeCrochet’s Simply Cotton Organic Sport), so I used multiple strands of yarn in each ‘set’ to make the braid thicker. If you’re using a thicker yarn you can simply use 4 strands of yarn.

    Any multiple of 4 will work e.g. 8 strands of yarn = 4 sets with 2 strands of yarn in each set, 12 strands of yarn = 4 sets of 3 strands of yarn in each set etc. The more strands of yarn you have in each ‘set’ the thicker your braid, the fewer the strands of yarn you have in each ‘set’ the thinner your braid.

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    pin image of 4 strand braided cotton rope belt on grey background

    4 Strand Braided Belt Tutorial

    Notes

    *Sample braid uses 16 strands of yarn in total. The 16 strands of yarn are separated into ‘4 sets’ of 4 strands of yarn. Each set has 4 strands of yarn.

    *You can use any multiple of 4 for your strands of yarn. 8 strands of yarn = 4 sets with 2 strands of yarn in each set, 12 strands of yarn = 4 sets with 3 strands of yarn in each set etc.

    *Fewer strands of yarn = thinner braid, more strands = thicker braid.

    *Hold onto the yarn tightly as you braid to create a neat and tight cord.

    * Approx. length of yarn = Desired Length of belt x 1.5
    e.g. if you want a 100cm braid (100 x 1.5 = 150), cut 150cm long strands of yarn.

    *The thicker the braid, the more yarn you’ll need so if you are using chunky yarn (or thicker) cut yarn length approx. 2 times the length of cord.


    Materials

    Yarn
    *Sample braid uses WeCrochet Simply Cotton Organic Sport.

    Scissors

    Removable Tape (washi tape or painter's tape works best)

    Photo Tutorial

    TO PREPARE

    1. Cut 16 (or any multiple of 4) strands of yarn.

    2. Holding all the strands together, tie a knot towards the end of the yarn leaving a 10cm / 4” tassel.

    3. Tape the tassel to a flat surface.

    4 strand braid separated into 4 sections left, centre left, centre right, right

    4. Separate your strands of yarn into 4 sets of yarn. If using 16 strands, each set should have 4 strands.

    TO BRAID CORD

    5. Holding the yarn tight, take the RIGHT set of yarn and bring it underneath the CENTRE RIGHT and CENTRE LEFT sets of yarn …

    4 strand braided belt right section underneath centre right and centre left section

    6. … Wrap the RIGHT set of yarn over the CENTRE LEFT set of yarn.

    4 strand braid right section wrapped over centre left

    Pull tight.

    4 strand braid pull all strands tight

    7. Pick up the LEFT set of yarn, bring it underneath the CENTRE LEFT and CENTRE RIGHT sets of yarn …

    4 strand cord left section underneath centre left and centre right strands of yarn

    8. … Wrap the LEFT set of yarn over the CENTRE RIGHT set of yarn.

    4 strand braid left section wrapped over centre right section of yarn

    Pull tight.

    4 strand rope pull strands tight

    Repeat steps 5 – 8 until you have approx. 12cm / 5” of yarn left.

    4 strand cord repeat right set under centre right and centre left and then over centre left yarn
    ... bring RIGHT underneath CENTRE RIGHT and CENTRE LEFT, wrap RIGHT over CENTRE LEFT ....
    4 strand braided belt repeat left strand of yarn under centre left and centre right and over centre right yarn
    ... bring LEFT underneath CENTRE LEFT and CENTRE RIGHT, wrap LEFT over CENTRE RIGHT ...

    9. Pinch the base of the braid ...

    pinch base of braided cord

    ... Tie a knot.

    tie a knot at end of braided rope

    Pull tight.

    pull knot at end of braided rope tight

    10. Trim tassel.

    trim the tassel at end of braided rope

    And you’ve created a braided belt / cord / strap !

    Video Tutorial

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    An avid maker dabbling in crochet, hand embroidery, watercolour, DIYs and more! I share my love for creating and designing here on this blog and on YouTube.

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