Ear-warming Headbands

 My younger daughter, Kristen, has a tendency to drop projects in my lap a few days before she returns to school. At the end of last summer it was an apron she wanted to give her older sister. Before she went back for this spring semester she wanted four knitted headbands. The race was on to complete at least a couple of them before she left. She attends school in South Dakota, and the winter deep freeze has arrived.

Sadly, I didn’t have time to photograph the completed headbands. Kristen promised she would send pictures, but until she does, here is headband 3 with an accompanying pattern.

The yarn is Flicker, a number 4 medium weight made by Berroco. It’s an Alpaca blend that has a metallic thread woven in it. However, headbands are great stash busters. They can take half, to a full skein of yarn, depending on yardage. So feel free to use that one-skein splurge lurking in your yarn basket (closet, dresser, etc.).

The stitch pattern I used is called “Twisted Arches”, a type of cable stitch. I found it in the book, Reader’s Digest Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches, pg 55. Here is some useful info: Multiple of 8 stitches + 2; C3L (Cable 3 left) slip next st onto cable needle and hold at front of work, K next 2 sts from left hand needle, then K st from cable needle; C3R (Cable 3 right) slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K next st from left needle, then K sts from cable needle.

For the Headband:

CO 18 stitches

1^st row (RS): P2, *K6; rep from * to end (End with P2)

2^nd row: K2, *P6, rep from * to end (K2)

Rep last 2 rows once.

5^th row: P2, *C3L, C3R, P2, rep from * to end

6^th row: As 2^nd row

7^th row: K4, P2, *K6, P2, rep from * to end (End with K4)

8^th row: P4, K2, *P6, K2, rep from * to end (P4)

Rep last 2 rows once.

11^th row: K1, * C3R, P2, C3L, rep from * to end (K1)

12^th row: As 8^th row

Repeat these twelve rows 8 more times.

BO

 (If you are using a chunky yarn, fewer row repeats may be needed. Also, this is a project with negative ease. The band should stretch. Make it a little shorter than you think it should be, unless you’re trying to make an eye mask or infinity scarf. Measure your head circumference before starting.)

A long tail at either end can be used to sew the ends of the headband together. Weave in ends.

If fancier edges are desired, customize with your favorite knit or crochet edging stitch.

For the Gathering Band:

CO 10 sts and do 2 repeats of the above stitch pattern. BO. Before sewing closed, place the small band over the seam of the large band. Make sure the ends of the small band are sewn together on the wrong side of the large band. If you want to keep the small band in place, tack the sides of it to the back stitches of the large band.

A note on gauge and blocking: Don’t obsess over gauge. Just make sure the band is wide enough to cover the ears. “Twisted Arches” doesn’t curl so blocking to make flat or achieve certain measurements isn’t necessary, unless you’re really obsessive.

For those of you experiencing a cold winter, go ahead and make yourself a cozy headband. (Or a “just because I love you” gift.) Be blessed and stay warm.

The Project Queen