Braided Headband Knitting Pattern

The best way to learn any new skill in knitting is to try it on a small project, preferably something that doesn’t have to be perfect in terms of size.

I love using scarves as learning projects, but if you want something a little smaller you can try a washcloth. Or if you’d rather make something you can wear even as you’re learning new skills, headbands and earwarmers are great projects for that.

These little projects don’t take a lot of yarn or time to knit. They don’t have to fit exactly perfectly because they can stretch (and heads come in lots of different sizes). And they give you a little canvas to play with stitch patterns, colorwork and other kinds of knitting techniques.

In this case, a little cable.

The braided headband pattern from Mirella Moments uses worsted weight yarn and has a braided cable running down the middle. There are smaller cables on each side and a bit of garter stitch edging to hold it all together. The little side cables are so small you can even use them to practice working cables without a cable needle.

The pattern comes in one size but should fit a variety of heads. If you want to make it smaller or larger you can just subtract or add length as you go. The project is knit flat and seamed into a circle when the knitting is done.

Once you get the hang of it, this pattern would make a great gift knit, or you could donate them to charity in the winter months.

You can grab the free pattern from Mirella Moments.

Looking for more easy cable knitting patterns? I love this cable knit hat as a beginner cable project, or you can check out my collection of cable knitting patterns to boost your skills.

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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