This project was inspired by both the Qasr Ibrim belt and Bel and Ricard’s description of a tekka manqusa. Although there is no information about how or with what these belts were dyed, both henna and indigo are available in North Africa and have been for a very long time. Possibly, the Qasr Ibrim belt was dipped in indigo and the ends dyed with henna. The belt likely wrapped around the waist once.

Knitting Materials
Undyed wool yarn, light DK weight, approximately 225 yd (206 m) for a long belt or 80 yd (73 m) for a short belt. (Shown in Snoqualmie Valley Yarn Natural Light DK, 100% Bluefaced Leicester and Clun Forest wool, 280 yd (256 m)/3.5 oz (100 g) skein, 1 skein)

Dyeing Materials
pH-neutral detergent, 1 tsp (5 ml) for every 8 oz (227 g) of material
Powdered henna, 50% weight of fiber, about
1½ oz (40 g)
Calx (calcium hydroxide), 1.14 oz (32 g)
Powdered indigo, 0.5 oz (14.2 g)
Thiourea dioxide, 0.28 oz (8 g)
pH paper, 0–13 range
White vinegar

Finished size: 1¼“ (3.2 cm) wide and 79” (200.7 cm) or 26” (66 cm) long, not including tasseled braids.

Gauge: 7 sts and 9 rnds = 1” (2.5 cm) in St st. Exact gauge is not crucial to the success of this project.