HIP POP 2 -- The Pattern Instructions!

Alright, I know I promised to post the instructions for these wonderfully funky pop tab belts! I am a woman of my word!

• YOU WILL NEED:
  Washed pop/beer can tabs (approximately 15 per each 10 cm/4 inches of finished belt
• 3 mm diameter cord in the colours of your choosing (measure the waist, double that length, then add 1.5m to 2m extra for the ties. You will require 6 lengths of cord.)
• a tapestry needle
• Masking tape (optional)
• Measuring tape
• a small file

Note: Wash the tabs first and file down any rough edges. The small metal loop that attached the tab to the can should be removed or bend back. Make sure when assembling the belt to position the tabs so that the widest hole is at the bottom. You may wish to use the masking tape to hold the nonworking end of the cord in place on your work surface.

ASSEMBLING:

~Using the diagrams to help you works best!

1. Place 1 tab (A), wrong side-up, on the working surface.

2. Position a second tab (B), right side up, overlapping the edge of the first. Leave one meter of cord unwoven at the right-hand side {for the tie}. Push the needle down through the top hole in B, behind the right-hand side edge of A, then up and out the same top hole of (B).

3. Place a third tab (C) wrong side up, beside tab A, then position the fourth tab (D), right side up, overlapping A and C as shown in the diagram. Push the needle in through top hole in D, behind side edges of A and C, then up and out through the same hole in D. In this same manner work from right to left adding tabs and weaving the cord in and out until you have your desired length.

4. In the same way, weave the second length of cord through the bottom holes {this anchors both the top and bottom of the belt into place and makes it easier to weave in the other lengths of cord}. Weave the third length of cord through the top holes as you did you first and a fourth length through the bottom holes again as you did with the second length of cord. {Always leave a 1 meter tail to form the ties}

5. Leaving 1 meter of cord again at the right hand side, push the needle out through the top hole in B, over side edge of A, in bottom hole in B, behind side edges of B and D, and out through the top hole in D. This forms a diagonal pattern in the center of the belt {the first part of your x pattern}. Continue weaving in this same manner the length of the belt {make sure you are weaving this cord in below the top pair of cords and above the bottom pair of cords instead of crossing over them}.

6. Leaving 1 meter of cord unwoven at the right-hand side, push the needle out through bottom hole in B, over side edge of A, in top hole of B, behind side edges of B and D, and out through bottom hole in D {again below top pair of cords and above bottom pair). In the same manner working from right to left, continue weaving the cord in and out to form a criss-cross pattern in the centre.7. At each end divide the cords into 3 pairs and braid them leaving about 15cm (6 inches) or desired length unbraided. String beads onto the unbraided ends and tie knots to secure!

I like to add detail to my belts by adding button elements to its length, using a variety of cord types or weaving in things like key clips!