After many attempts at this, I've finally decided on a pattern that works best and is most time efficient. Initially, I though I would braid three strips of stockinette stitch pieces. Of course, this stitch curls significantly on the edges. So I thought I would create tube shapes, where I stitched them closed on one side which would also make the headband reversible. Turns out that would take lots of seaming and became way too bulky.
SO, break out your cable needle for a braided cable that creates the same effect but all in one piece. (Thanks Amy for the idea!)
I used an alpaca tweed yarn that requires a size 8 needle. I pulled from 2 balls of yarn together and used #15 needles. This will curl a bit on the edge, so best bet is to block once you are done knitting, ideally before seaming. I've also alternated K and P stitches on the edge to help it stay a bit more flat.
CO 11 sts
Start Braid Pattern (multiple of 9 +2):
R1 (right side) :: K all
R2, R4, R6 + R8 (ws) :: K1, P9, K1
R3 :: K1, Slip 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K3, K3 off cable needle, K remaining sts
R5 :: K all
R7 :: K4, Slip 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front, K3, K3 off cable needle, K1
Continue in pattern until it measures slightly smaller than your head.
BO and seam ends together in mattress stitch.
can't wait to try these!! thanks for the pattern =)
ReplyDeleteI would love to make your headband but I am a little more than a beginner. I'm not sure from your instructions what size, type yarn to use. You say yarn that requires a size 8 needle but you used #15 needles. Thanks so much for your help
ReplyDeleteShe used #15 needles because she "pulled from 2 balls of yarn", doubling the weight of the yarn needed for #8 needles, therefore requiring the larger needles.
DeleteYou could use almost any kind of yarn, just pick something really soft that you would like against your head. Look for something that requires a size 8 needle and then pull TWO STRANDS OF YARN at once... This makes it twice as thick and super bulky which is ideal. Of course, you could just buy a super bulky yarn to begin with and just pull one strand. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've been looking for a good pattern just like this one! Trying this out tomorrow morning! :)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this headband. The only thing is that I have a few issues with the pattern... I skipped R5 because then there's too much room between the crossovers... and then would just do R2, R3, R4, R7 to continue the pattern.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS I REALLY REALLY LOVE IT!!!
oh my gosh you are so, so right, i kept trying the pattern and it looked like a long snake, but the minute I droped R5 and went straight to R2 after R7 I could finally see the cable! thank you!
DeleteHey there! Beautiful headband. I'm actually planning on trying it by making single stitch ribbed pieces to braid together. We'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Courtney
Thank you for posting this pattern. I just finished one and will be making another. My nieces will love them! A great quick holiday gift an the instructions were clear and easy to follow too! Happy holidays! Thanx again.
ReplyDeleteI love this and am so excited to make it. I'm a beginner so I'm a little confused and was wondering what multiple of 9 +2 was
ReplyDeleteHi there, Don't worry about the multiple of 9+2 thing... You just need to cast-on 11 stitches to make the headband. (I just put the multiple on there so people have the pattern info in case they want to make it wider for some reason.)
ReplyDeletehow does the pattern differ if you cast on 20 stitches?
ReplyDeleteI guess you could do it two ways... If you CO 20, you could have a double braided headband (two braids side-by-side) OR you could do a super chunky cable and slip 6, K6, K6 sort of thing. Haven't tried it, but let me know if you do!
ReplyDeleteHi, I really like this pattern. :) I was just wondering if I could knit it without a cable needle.. I've looked it up on youtube and tried it, but it still doesn't look right. :/
ReplyDeleteWhat would I stitch for row 9 and the extra two rows?
ReplyDeleteHi I would like to make your headband. I was looking at the instructions. In the second row you say R4, R6 + R8 (ws). I am not sure what this means. Can you explain it please.
ReplyDeleteSure. Those are the wrong side (ws) or back side rows. In this case they are all the same. So row 4, row 6 and row 8 are all identical to row 2 (r2). The odd rows are the ones that change to make the braid. Hope that helped!
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm making this headband for a Christmas gift (thank you for the pattern btw) and I have a question about the seaming. My cast on edge is folded over because of the first cable. I haven't finished it yet, but it seems that the bound off edge won't fold over too, which means I'll have more stitches on the bound off edge than the cast on edge. If this happens would mattress stitch still work to seam it?. Do I just follow the cast on edge around the fold, ignore the fold? Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated. I've already frogged it once thinking I screwed up but the cast on edge still folded over when I reknit it. Thank you so much.
ReplyDelete-Krystal
Hi Krystal,
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm not sure which edge is folding but I'm guessing lengthwise since your cable may be folding it. It's possibel you are a tight knitter? Or your yarn is maybe a little thick for your needles? Not sure. But the mattress stitch is still definitely the way to go. You may want to try and block it first (google how to do it if you have not, essentially get it damp and flatten it) to get it to stay flat. then once it's dry, do the seaming. I hope this helps!!
You don't need a "cable needle". You can just use any spare doubled ended needle.
ReplyDeleteThere's many other braided knit headband but I like this the best. I will try to knit it. =)
Hi, just wondering, how wide will the headband be?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this pattern! I made one over the weekend and it came out beautifully! Will definitely make more as gifts!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Check out my blog! www.owlswakeup.blogspot.ca
What size of needles would I need to use because it mentions size 8 needles and #15 needles? Ive no problems knitting cardigans and bootees but this is something new for me lol. Is it better to double up on the wool? Thanks, Kathy
ReplyDeleteHi Lulu! I have a small business, called Winifred Taylor, I was wondering if there was anyway I can contact you in regards to this pattern and possibly using it. Please contact me at winifredtaylorinfo@gmail.com and check out my site at www.lovewinifredtaylor.com
ReplyDeleteLove this pattern! I made one and it looks great! very easy to follow and I was able to memorize the pattern easily as I went along
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how may yards of yarn they used? I want to make sure i get enough.
ReplyDeleteI used about 30 yards
DeleteHello, what a lovely pattern Lulu! Are your needle sizes US or UK? Thanks, Georgina
ReplyDeleteHi georginagiles, They are all in US sizes. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is super easy and the result is simply fabulous! Thank you very much for sharing, I made one as a christmas gift for a friend and I'm sure she's gonna love it :D x
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ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the pattern! It's easy and awesome! I loved it and made these two already!
ReplyDeletehttps://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1797456_10153974664490562_7910901366282896859_n.jpg
So on row 9 would you knit all or start with the knit 1, slip 3 pattern?
ReplyDeleteIs this cable braid all the way around or is there a flat area? I think I know the answer but would like to confirm.
ReplyDeleteHey thank you for the pattern, i just dont understand the steps for row3 can you please give more detail please! Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks so much for the pattern! I made one for myself but I've actually had many people to make one for them too!
ReplyDeleteAs I'm trying to raise some money to go to a ballet intensive this summer, I was wanting to ask if you would be alright/give permission for me to use this pattern to sell some ear warmers. I would give you credit for the pattern, of course, I just figure since it was such a quick and easy knit for me that it would make a good fundraising item.
Either way, thanks so much once again! This was a wonderful pattern!
Hi Ashleigh,
DeleteSure you can make a bunch and sell them for fundraising! Please just don't sell the actual pattern itself as I would like to keep all of my patterns free and for anyone to access. Hope you get to go to your ballet program this summer!
Yay, thanks so much! This'll be a huuge help!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you mean 'continue in pattern do you mean to go back to R1 and start all over in the pattern?
ReplyDeletehello i am confused about the part where it says 9 + 2
ReplyDeleteI made the headband today and it is perfect. I used the size 15 needles and two strands of bulky yard. They whole thing took only about two to three hours. Thanks
ReplyDelete