Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Have a Circular Knitting Machine? Make a Twisted Headband!

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Over the holidays I started getting into using my circular knitting machine more, and though I would never give up on knitting and crocheting with real needles and hooks, I’ve got to say it’s a lot of fun for quick little projects. I have a Sentro 40 pin (and a 22 pin that I actually haven’t used yet!) and it’s been a lot of fun learning what they can do.

One of the classic early projects that a lot of people do when they first get a machine is to knit a twisted headband. It’s a really quick and easy project, and when you do it on a 40 or 48 pin it’s wide enough that it can double as earwarmers when you need it.

I shared my method for making a twisted headband over at Our Daily Craft, and this project comes in clutch for bad hair days or when you’re growing out your bangs like I (still) am. It’s almost like a messy bun hat.

They’re really quick and easy to make and this would be a great gift to stockpile for the holidays. You can make it on whatever machine you have, using whatever weight 3 or 4 yarn you have lying around. The one pictured here is Berroco Ultra Alpaca, which is great for a winter headband, but you could use an acrylic or a blend with less wool for headbands to wear year round.

Use the same pattern to make one on a 22-pin and it would be great to wear any time regardless of fiber.

Don’t have a knitting machine and you want to make one of these? It’s just a knit tube so you can cast on 22, 40, or any number of stitches you like, knit in the round until it is almost as long as your head is around where you would want to wear it (I did 20 inches/51 cm). Bind off and follow the instructions in the pattern to make the twist.

Grab the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

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Summer Headband Knitting Patterns

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.