Crocodile Stitch Hip Band or Bustle

I learned a new crochet stitch called the crocodile stitch.  There are plenty of tutorials for it over on Youtube. It has a great texture that I thought would either make a wonderful belly dancing hip band or a combo bustle/shawl for steampunk. I'm using olive colored Woolease yarn by Lion. I might add more colors for each successive layer but I haven't decided yet. My hips are big so that first row is going to be very very long and it will take a long time just to do one row. When I get further along I'll show photos.

Two Patterns For One Costume

Today when I went to JoAnn's they had Simplicity patterns 5 for $5. A new belly dancing coat pattern caught my eye.  It's #2159.  The other new pattern 2158 was similar to other skirt patterns I have so I wasn't going to get it. But since I needed to get 5 patterns to get the sale price, and one of my selections wasn't in stock, I got it.

Now that I'm home and on closer inspection I realized the patterns go together. Pattern #2159 just has the coat and 2 hip scarves. The other pattern has the skirt and bra to complete the outfit. It's not typical for a pattern company to split one outfit into two patterns.  I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed if you only get one or the other. See the photo for details.

Steampunk Crocheted Hipband

I spent the morning making a pattern for a crocheted hip band.  Since it's a Steampunk theme I'm going to use washers at the ends of the fringe.  But for a more traditional look you can use coins, bells or wooden beads.  For pirate belly dancing you can use sea shells  As I'm working on it, I can already visualize 3 or 4 more variations on a theme. I'm putting together a tutorial video and I'll share it when I have it made.

Woven Hipband

I had an epiphany this morning. I realized the weaving I'm doing on a 6' board loom would lend itself well to making belly dancing tribal hipbands. All I have to do after the weaving is done is hang some matching yarn tassles, coins, shells, or other doodads from the hipband and figure out a way to fasten it around my hips.
I haven't seen any woven hipbands though no doubt someone must have done this before, but it would be unique as far as what I've seen out there so far. Blogger is being impossible today with trying to post photos, but you can see some of the weaving in my other blog here: http://craftaday.blogspot.com/2009/01/weaving-books-and-hummingbirds.html

Belly Dance Shops on Etsy

Hard to fit? Need a custom item? Need cowry hair falls? Bloomers? Harem Pants? Skirts? There are many artists and costumers on Etsy that cater to us. Here are but a few.
AISHAX

Akaisilks

ThreePaintedPeacocks

Shivati

Ants in your pants belly dance

ZelH

AmyOlson

These ought to keep us busy for a while.