Men, women, and kids can all use headbands either decoratively or purely functionally. They can be knitted up and decorated using scrap yarn and other leftover craft materials.
Bands are wonderful projects for knitters with lots of scrap yarn but little time and resources. Luxury yarn sometimes doesn’t go very far, but 4 or 5 headbands can be made out of just one skein.
Headbands can be worn with hats or hoods or without them; they can be placed over the ears and forehead for warmth. Others use them like “scrunchies” to tie hair into ponytails. Stop the length and this versatile project easily converts into wristbands.
Choose Appropriate Yarn
Making headbands gives the knitter a chance to try just about any kind of yarn. Choose a fiber
that is appropriate for the headband’s purpose. For example, use angora for something fancy and use cotton for sweatbands.
Use a Stretchy Stitch Pattern
Garter stitch makes a headband very easy to make; more importantly, it remains elastic enough to stay firmly in place even when made of a non-elastic fiber. If yarn with a bit of stretchy fiber in it is available, consider using it as it will hold its shape fast.
Headband Gauge
Gauge is not crucial in this project. Use any size needles that feel comfortable with a given yarn. Cast onto medium-sized needles (US 3 through 6 or even 7, or about 3 through 4.5 metric) using yarn similar to sport weight (wraps around 15 times to the inch / 6 per cm).
Very fuzzy fibers can be knit with needles that are large relative to the yarn, while smooth fibers, because they require more yardage, will need smaller needles. Try plying lighter-weight yarns together, holding them together while knitting.
Headband Patterns
General Instructions Pattern
- Use medium needles that are “comfortable.” Cast on about 20 stitches, or about 3 inches / 8 cm in width. Knit garter stitch in rows (knit every row) until when stretched firmly, the ends just about reach around the head.
- Bind off and sew the ends together using the Kitchener Stitch (weaving or grafting.) Or, hold the two yarn ends together, pick up a stitch from the beginning, knit it to one on the needle, and continue while binding off. The least bulky finish is Kitchener Stitch. Although the easiest method is sewing the ends together, it will only work if the yarn can hold up to the strain of sewing.
- Play with patterns if desired. For example, it would be quite easy to use fewer stitches at the beginning and end of the strip, increasing to the full width for the center 3/4 of length, so that the portion worn at the back of the neck is narrower.
TIP: To ensure a smooth, finished-looking edge: Slip the first stitch of each row as if to purl; Bring the yarn in front of the needles; Move the first stitch to the working needle without knitting it; Then pass the yarn back between the needle tips to the back of the knitting.
Headband Pattern #2
Materials: 5.5mm needles, Mohair yarn
Directions
- Cast on 12sts and knit until item measures 21 inches when stretched.
- Cast off, sew ends together, weave in the loose ends.
Headband Pattern #3
Materials: Any worsted weight 100% cotton yarn, Size US 7 needles, tapestry needle
Directions
- Cast on 15 stitches
- Rows 1-5: Knit
- Row 6: *p2tog, yo, repeat from * until last stitch, p1
- Row 7-9: Knit
- Row 10: Purl
- Row 11-13: Knit
- Repeat Rows 6 – 13 until the headband measures about 15 inches.The headband should stretch and be a little tight.
- Bind off.
- Sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge.
Headband Pattern #4
Materials: Any worsted weight yarn, Size 7US 16" circular knitting needles
Directions
- Cast on 84 stitches
- Rows 1-7: (k1, p2) around
- Next 3": knit all the way around
- Last 7 Rows: (k1, p2) around
- Bind off, weave in ends
Sweatbands
Sweatbands can be made using any headband technique described. Simply use a blended stretch cotton fiber for best fit and results. The more absorbent and flexible the fiber is the better.
Headband Knit Tips
- Garter stitch works up fastest and a headband made with it will hold its shape best.
- Stockinette stitch will result in a rolled headband. If that’s the desired result, don’t hesitate to try it.
- Embellish headband surfaces with embroidery. Add a flower or other accent for dimension. Consider charting to personalize.
Caring for the Headband
Hand wash gently in cool water with shampoo or liquid hand-washing dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly in cold. Roll in an absorbent towel to blot out most of the water. Use care not to wring or stretch headbands. Lay flat to dry.
Fuzzy fibers like angora may need a light brushing to restore the loft of the fiber after it dries. Be very gentle and use care not to pull out any fibers or snag the yarn.
Do take care to be sure hand knit items are stored safely away from bugs. Moths in particular love very fine fibers. Once headbands are clean and completely dry—even to the extent of making sure it’s not a humid day—store them in a sealed “ziplock” bag. Merely adding lavender or cedar to a dresser drawer isn’t enough.
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