Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Around We Go Headband

Around We Go Headband

The story behind this piece is simple: recently, I saw one of the other moms at my kids' preschool in a knitted headband similar to this one and I thought, "hey, that's cool." And yes, the story is boring, but the finished product is still striking, with lots of graphic appeal. It's also very easy to size to various lengths, which I'll talk about more in a bit, and is a great stashbuster. Yay, busting stashes!

Sizes: Child (Adult)

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Heathers (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #2439 Gelato - one skein

The pattern.
Plus some of the fine make up airbrushing that went into
my lovely fake head.
Needles: One set of needles in size US 7

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches

So let's get started! To begin, cast on 18 (22) stitches. Then we'll move right to the main pattern, which I've written separately for each size. First, then, the terminology:

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again.  Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right)

And now the pattern. If you're knitting the child size, proceed as follows:

Rows 1 & 3 (wrong side): (k2, p6) twice, k2

Row 2: k3, rt, lt, k1, p2, lt, k2, rt, k2

Row 4: k2, rt, k2, lt, p2, k1, lt, rt, k3

Knit rows 1 - 4 until piece measures roughly 17.5" for a toddler or 18.5" for an older child and you've just finished Row 4 of the pattern. Bind off loosely in pattern, block, and seam. Tuck in ends.

And if you're knitting the adult size, here's your pattern:

Rows 1, 3, & 5 (wrong side): (k2, p8) twice, k2

Row 2: k4, rt, lt, k2, p2, lt, k4, rt, k2

Row 4: k3, rt, k2, lt, k1, p2, k1, lt, k2, rt, k3

Row 6: k2, rt, k4, lt, p2, k2, lt, rt, k4

Knit rows 1 - 6 until piece measures roughly 20.5" and you've just finished Row 6 of the pattern. Bind off loosely in pattern, block, and seam. Tuck in ends.





35 comments:

  1. Aloha! Thank you, for such a pretty pattern ... I know I'll enjoy wearing it. :)

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    1. I'm delighted that you like it! And please, let me know if you have any questions :)

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  2. With the weather in the 20's today, I better start knitting. Thanks for the great pattern.

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    1. Luckily, it's a quick knit - I mostly finished it in a car trip. And stay warm!!! :)

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  3. Head bands are really cool, I love this one.
    Thanks for the pattern. Can't wait to try it.
    Cheers, Anita.

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    1. Hi Anita!

      I'm happy you like it :) I keep seeing all of these cute headbands out and about and getting inspired!!!

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  4. Love the pattern-----just to be sure,that is 2-needles????

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    1. Hello there!

      If I understand correctly, you're asking if it's knit flat. In which case, the answer is yes! No circular knitting on this one! :)

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    2. guess I mean 2-needles,then sew together

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    3. Dang it, I'm still not sure I understand what you mean! :) It is sewn together at the end (or seamed), although you could also do a provisional cast on and then a three-needle bind off to finish it a little bit more elegantly. I think I'm still missing your question, though. I'm sorry!

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    4. Gretchen---my question-is this headband knit with 2 needles and then sewn together ----

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    5. Yes, it is made with two needles, knit back and forth, and then the ends are sewn together. :)

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    6. trying to make headband-----r0w 6 ---k2,rt,k4,lt,p2,k2,lt,rt,-------(K42?????

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    7. Oh my goodness! No, not k42; just 4. I'll fix it! Thanks for letting me know :)

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  5. Love the pattern but, don't have the exact yarn. Can you please tell me the weight.
    Thankyou Julie

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    1. Hi Julie! This is a worsted weight - 20 stitches per four inches. The gauge only affects the width of the piece, though, so if you're a little bit off it shouldn't be a problem :)

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  6. Gretchen, BEAUTIFUL !! Thank you...just wondering the width measurement? and also could it be made with only one of the twists?

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    1. Hello there!

      This piece is roughly 4" across. And you could totally do it with just one of the arrow strips - then it would be more decorative and less ear protection :)

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  7. We don't use the terminology worsted weight in the UK so assume that it means what we call double kntting wool/yarn.

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    1. Hello there! I know there are some differences in terminology, but as long as your gauge matches you should be fine! I usually use the Craft Yarn Council's yarn weight system, which you can find here: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html

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  8. LOVE this pattern! I knitted the iris bloom bonnet (which is also a great pattern) and had just enough left over to make this headband. The recipient of these two items was stoked. I appreciate all the patterns and clear instructions. :)

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    1. Hi Debbie!

      I'm glad to hear it. :) One of the major advantages to having my own site is that I have no word count on my instructions, so I can at least try to make them comprehensible. I'm not sure how many times I've stared at a pattern just trying to figure out what it meant!!!! Anyway, glad you're happy with what you've knit. Please let me know if you ever have questions. :)

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  9. Hi Gretchen!

    Thank you for the cute and SIMPLE pattern. When my boyfriend's daughter asked me to make a headband for preschool in the fall. I accepted the challenge. I was a little worried about the right/left twist-I am a visual learner. After reading your directions and little help from YouTube, I got it down pat. It is actually much easier than I thought. I can't wait to finish up her headband so I can make myself (or his girls) one of your other items (I'm thinking a crawl).

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    1. Yay! Glad to hear that this pattern is working out well for you. :) My philosophy is that you should always try new knitting techniques - most of the time, they aren't that difficult, and learning new things allows you to knit so many more patterns! Finally, let me know if you ever have any questions about any of my patterns. I'm always happy to help. :)

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    2. Question: Did your head band curl in-towards the wrong side? Thank you for your help!

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    3. Yes, definitely. Blocking really helped. :) Have you done that yet? And also - even if you have some curling after blocking, once it's on a head it should work just fine!

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  10. Not at the blocking yet. I have to wait until I see her to measure her head :) I assumed it would be fine once it was on her head. Thanks!

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    1. Perfect! Yup, it should definitely look better after blocking. :)

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  11. Thank you for providing adult sizing for all of your children's hats. My granddaughter's head has been bigger than mine since she was two!
    Linda

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    1. Hi Linda!

      Glad I'm helping! And I understand; my kids have giant heads too!!! :)

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  12. Hello, I was wondering if I could sell garments made with a modification of this pattern online? I'm starting a small store to raise money for research for Pulmonary Hypertension - a rare and fatal disease from which I suffer. A percentage of all the proceeds will go to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, and the rest I will use to support myself and expensive life saving prescription drugs. Please let me know if it's possible, if not, I still love this pattern :)

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    1. Hi!

      You are welcome to sell items knit from my patterns (or modifications of them) even if you're just doing it for fun, although of course you have a much better cause. The only thing I ask is that you give pattern credit if you're selling online. :) Anyway, I wish you great luck with your store and your knitting!!!

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    2. Thank you Gretchen :) I will definitely give you credit and link to the pattern if I ever manage to get an online store going ;) Thank you and all the best to you!

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  13. This was a bit of a challenge but I have made it for a toddler just turned two. I love the pattern. Let's hope it fits. Many thanks.

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    1. Oh, I hope it fits too! Glad you finished though! :)

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