How to Knit a Headband

How To Knit a Headband

Looking for a way to keep your ears warm during the cold months? Consider a knitted headband.  A headband also comes in handy in holding your hair off the face in warm or cold weather.

Knitting a headband may seem like a challenging task, especially when you do not know how to knit but you will be surprised by how easy it gets when you familiarize yourself with it. 

Want to learn more about how to knit a headband? Let’s get started.

How to Knit Headwrap: What you Need

The first step when learning how to start knitting is to gather all the supplies you need for your project. To learn how to knit a headband, you need the following equipment.

• • Ball of Yarn
  • Knitting Needles 
  • Tape Measure 
  • Stitch Holder
  • Tapestry Needles

1. 1. Ball of Yarn

Image source: Knitpicks

The knitting yarn makes up the entire how-to knit headband project. Now, the yarn comes in different materials, colors, and sizes, to mention a few. 

So before you choose the best yarn for your project, you should consider its woven labels. These labels provide basic information about the yarn content. The data includes.

• • • The fiber content. This refers to the yarn material. Most yarns are made of cotton, wool, acrylic, nylon, cashmere, and alpaca, to mention a few.
    • Yarn weight. How thick is the yarn? Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the thread. It is worth noting that the thicker the yarn, the faster you are likely to get the job done.
    • Care instructions. Yarns have care labels that provide information on how to wash the knitted garment.

      2. Knitting Needles

Image source: Magda Makes

A knitting needle is a tool that is used to produce a knitted garment. These needles come in different sizes, types, materials, and shapes. You should always refer to the yarn’s woven labels to determine the best knitting needle to use for your project.

To learn how to knit a headband in the round, you should choose circular needles or double pointed needles.

      3. Tape Measure

A tape measure is used to determine when the knitted project is long enough to cast off knitting. It comes in handy when learning how to knit a scarf, a headband, or a blanket. 

      4. Stitch Holders

Stitch holders, also known as stitch markers, indicate the end of a row when learning how to knit a headband with circular needles. These markers help determine the beginning and end of a row when learning how to join knitting in the round.

      5. Tapestry Needles

Tapestry needles, also known as yarn needles, are used for seaming edges together or weaving in loose ends. When learning how to knit a headband with straight needles, tapestry needles come in handy in sewing together the cast on and cast off edges.

Knitting Equipment.	Purpose.
Knitting Needles.	Tools used to produce a knitted garment.
Tape Measure.	A tool used to determine when the knitted project is long enough to cast off knitting.
Stitch Holders.	Tools used to mark the end of a row when learning to knit a headband with circular needles.
Tapestry Needles.	Yarn needles are used for seaming edges together or weaving in loose ends.

How to Knit Hair Band: Patterns

Now, although you want to keep your ears warm, you need to look cute too. Here are some knitting patterns you could use to make adorable headbands. 

That said, ensure that you learn how to read knitting patterns to get the desired knit outcome.

1. 1. Twisted Headband Pattern

Image source: Ravelry

If you’re a fan of worsted-weight yarn and enjoy working with it, the twist headband is an excellent project to tackle. It’s perfectly suited for those cozy winter days. This pattern creates a stretchy, textured, and thick headband that keeps you warm during cooler months. The headband has a twist in the middle that gives it an elegant and chic appearance. The twist also provides a clever way to hide seams.

Watch this video to learn how to knit a headband with a twist.

      2. Moss Stitch Bow Headband Pattern

Image Source: Craftgawker

This pattern is excellent for beginners as it involves simple purl and knit stitches. To create the moss stitch bow headband pattern, also known as the seed stitch pattern. This technique is an alternation of purl stitch and knit stitch, and you should alternate purl and knit stitches within the same row. You should also slip a stitch at the beginning of a row to create smooth and clean sides of your headband.

      3. Cable Knit Headband Pattern 

Image source: PurlsAndPixels

Want to create headbands for your entire family? Consider knitting the cable headband pattern. This is because this headband knitting pattern is unisex, so it is perfect for every family member.

To create the cable knit headband pattern, you first need to master knit and purl stitches and slip stitches in knitting. However, you will need bulky weight yarn, a cable needle, 6.5 mm needles (US 10.5), a darning needle, and a tape measure to create this awesome pattern.

Watch this video to learn how to create the cable knit headband pattern.

How to Knit a Headband For Beginners: Basic Skills

If you are entirely new to the world of knitting, you first need to master  the three fundamental knitting skills, including;

Casting On

Image Source: Instructables

To knit a headband, you first need to learn how to cast on knitting. Casting on refers to the process of starting your first row of stitches. To cast on, you first need to know how to make a slip knot. 

The slip knot, also known as the running knot, refers to the first cast-on stitch. To make a slip knot when learning how to knit a sweater, a scarf, or a headband, to mention a few, you should pull a few inches of yarn from the ball. Next, loop the yarn around the index and middle finger and tie it two times to make a knitting knot.

You should then pull the initial loop over the second one and tighten the knot around the arc’s base and slide the running knot onto one of the knitting needles to make the first cast-on stitch.

Next, hold the needle with the slip knot with your right hand and loop the working yarn(thread connected to the ball of yarn) over the needle on the left hand from front to back. You should then insert the right-hand needle into the loop on the left-hand needle from front to back.

Wrap the working yarn up and over the tip of the right-hand needle and pull it through. You now have two cast-on stitches on the right-hand needle. Next, cast on the third stitch and repeat the process until you have created the desired number of stitches.

The Knit Stitch

Image Source: Theknitstitch

The knit stitch creates the body of your knitted project. Not sure how to knit stitch? Here is a guide.

Place the knitting needle with the cast-on stitches on your left hand and the empty needle on your right hand. Next, insert the empty needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle. The right-hand needle should cross under the left-hand needle.

Wrap the working yarn over the end of the right-hand needle to create a loop and gently pull it through the first cast-on stitch. You should then let the initial stitch on the left-hand needle slip off as the new stitch takes its place on the right-hand needle.

Continue the process until your left-hand needle is empty, then turn the work around and keep knitting. You should repeat the process until you get to the desired length.

Casting Off

Image Source: DROPS Design

Casting off refers to the process of removing the knitted work from the knitting needles. It helps to secure the last knitted row to prevent unraveling. Below is a guide on how to cast off knitting.

Knit two stitches onto the right-hand needle. Push the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle(the bottom stitch). Next, lift this stitch over the second one so that it is no longer connected to either of the needles.

You should then knit one stitch so that you have two stitches on the right-hand needle, lift the bottom stitch over the new one, and let it slip off. Repeat this process until there are no stitches on the left-hand needle and only one on the right-hand needle.

Finally, remove the right-hand needle from the last stitch and cut the working yarn away. Next, pull the loose end through the arc and tie it off. Do you now know how to finish knitting a headband?

How to Knit a Headband: Step-by-step Guide

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Now that you are familiar with the basic knitting skills, the next step is to knit your first headband. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to knit a headband for beginners.

Step 1: Make a Gauge Swatch

Image Source: Sheep & stitch

A swatch helps to determine how many stitches you will need to knit your headband. For instance, you could cast on and knit 4 inches by 4 inches sample square, then measure how many stitches are in each inch and the number of rows.

Ensure you note down the measurements.

Step 2: Cast On

Depending on your results on step 1, you should cast on the desired number of stitches. If, for instance, you got that each inch in step 1 requires four stitches, you should then cast on 16 stitches.

Step 3: Measure the Head

You should measure your head using a tape measure to determine the length of your headband.

Step 4: Knit the Body

You should now work on the knit stitch to create your headband’s body. Ensure that you knit the rows with respect to the head’s measurements. You could test whether the knitted fabric has reached the desired length by wrapping it around your head.

Step 5: Cast Off

Once you have knit the target rows, you should bind off your knitting to prevent unraveling.

Step 6: Sew the Fabric

To complete the headband knitting project, you should sew the cast on and cast off edges together. Ensure that you line the edges correctly before sewing for the best results.

Watch this video to learn how to knit a headband for beginners.

Terms	Definition
Headband.	This is a piece of clothing worn in the hair or around the forehead.
Casting on.	The process of starting the first row of stitches.
Casting Off.	The process of removing the knitted work from the knitting needles.
Gauge Swatch.	This is a square piece of knitted garment that illustrates how the knitter and the yarn and needles should interact before beginning a project.
Slip knot.	This is the first stitch in knitting and is used to fasten the yarn to the knitting needles so that you can begin to cast on.
Knit stitch.	This is a basic knitting stitch created by pulling a loop of yarn from the back to the front through a previous stitch.

 

Frequently asked questions

What yarn is best for a knit headband?

For a secure fit, it’s important to choose a yarn with both stretch and elasticity, allowing your headband to maintain its shape. Wool possesses excellent elasticity and memory, making it an ideal choice. If you’re seeking added warmth, consider blends with alpaca. Alternatively, if you prefer a lighter headband, look for a blend of wool and cotton.

How many stitches should I cast on for a headband?

The number of stitches required will vary based on your yarn’s gauge. In our pattern, if you achieve a gauge of 3 stitches per inch, you would need 9 stitches to cover a 3-inch width when knitting flat on straight needles. Similarly, for a 4-inch width, you would require 12 stitches. If you’re working in the round, determine your gauge and then calculate the head circumference. For instance, with a gauge of 3 stitches per inch, if you aim for a 20-inch headband circumference, you would need 60 stitches.

How wide should a knitted headband be?

If you intend for the headband to serve as an ear warmer, a width of 3-4 inches is recommended. This width provides adequate coverage for the ears without being overly wide. However, if the headband is purely for decorative purposes, a slightly narrower width would be suitable.

What are some free knitted headband patterns for beginners?

Here are a few beginner-friendly knitted headband patterns you can try:

• “Easy Ribbed Headband” by Purl Soho: This simple free pattern features a basic rib stitch and is great for beginners.
• “Seed Stitch Headband” by Handy Little Me: The seed stitch creates a beautiful texture, and this simple seed stitch headband pattern is perfect for practicing the technique.
• “Garter Stitch Headband” by Knifty Knittings: This free knitting pattern uses only the garter stitch, making it an ideal choice for absolute beginners.

Conclusion

A knitted headband is a great homemade gift to give your loved ones during the cold season. This is because it shows that you invested your precious time to make the present. It is also a chic addition to your outfits. So If you happen to have some leftover yarn in your needle and thread bucket, you can create awesome headbands with them.

To knit a headband, you should make a gauge swatch, cast on, knit stitch, cast off, and then seam the fabric together. That said, ensure that you first gather the necessary equipment and keep the desired pattern in mind as you knit.

Did you get an idea of how to knit a headband? With that, you can now learn how to knit a head wrap for a unique and stylish look.