Materials: Worsted weight yarn (I used Caron Simply soft yarn in the example). For summer wear or for an exercise band, use cotton yarn.
US size H hook
All rows are worked in the back loop only, which is important to give stretch to the piece.
Starting Chain: Chain 13.
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in ea ch across. (12 sc)
Rows 2 and 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in back loop only of ea sc across. (12 sc)
Row 4: ch 1 to turn, working in back loop only of ea st, sc in first sc, dc in next sc, * sc in next sc, dc in next sc **,
repeat the directions between * and ** as many times as needed to go across the row. Note: Be careful not to miss crocheting the last stitch of the row. The row should end with a dc. (12 stitches in the row)
Row 5: ch 1 to turn, working in back loop only of ea st, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, * sc in next dc, dc in next sc **, repeat the directions between * and ** as many times as needed to go across the row. Note: Be careful not to miss crocheting the last stitch of the row. The row should end with a dc. (12 stitches in the row)
Rows 6 - 9: Repeat row 5.
Rows 10 - 12: ch 1 to turn, working in back loop only of ea st, sc in ea st across. (12 sc)
Rows 13 - 14: Repeat rows 4 - 5.
Rows 15 - 17: Repeat row 5.
Fold piece in half, with the right sides together, lining up the two short edges. Slip stitch in each stitch across the edge, working through both thicknesses of the two edges at the same time, to join. End off. Weave in ends. Turn right side out.
Adjusting the size: The size of this band can be adjusted by crocheting fewer rows for a smaller size or more rows for a larger size.
Pattern and pattern photos copyright 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Do not redistribute by reproduced copy or reprint elsewhere on a web page or otherwise, even without charge.
