Kimia Knit Headband

Time: Day Project

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Adult (one size fits most)

Gauge: 24 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st

Materials

Yarn: Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop (50% cotton 50% bamboo; 292 yards [266 meters]/100 grams): 216 Ebb & Flow (1 skein)

Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs

Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle, stitch marker, scrap yarn, 2 spare DPNs of a similar size, 2” wide headband blank

Note: The headband blanks used in the samples shown are 2” Plastic Headband Blanks from TheSodaPopShop on Etsy.

Abbreviations

M1L = Insert the left needle from front under the top strand between the two needles, then knit into the back of the stitch to twist it (1 st increased)

M1R = Insert the left needle from back under the top strand between the two needles, then knit into the front of the stitch to twist it (1 st increased)

Pattern

Headband Half (make 2)

Using 2 DPNs, cast on 10 sts (5 sts/needle) with Judy’s Magic Cast On. (10 sts)

Rnd 1: K5, k5tbl, then divide the sts onto 3 DPNs, so you may begin working in the rnd.

Rnd 2: K2, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (12 sts)

Rnds 3-10: K.

Weave in the CO tail on the inside of the work, then continue.

Rnd 11: K3, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (14 sts)

Rnds 12-15: K.

Rnd 16: K4, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (16 sts)

Rnds 17 & 18: K.

Rnd 19: K5, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (18 sts)

Rnds 20-35: K.

Rnd 36: K6, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (20 sts)

Rnds 37 & 38: K.

Rnd 39: K7, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (22 sts)

Rnds 40 & 41: K.

Rnd 42: K8, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (24 sts)

Rnds 43-47: K.

Rnd 48: K9, M1R, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd. (26 sts)

Rnds 49-62: K.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for grafting. Divide the stitches in half onto 2 DPNs, with the increase column centered in the middle of one of the needles. In this orientation, transfer the stitches onto the two spare DPNs (any needles of a similar size will work) and set aside.

For second half, also end with Rnd 62, then cut yarn, leaving a short tail. Weave in the tail on the inside of the piece. Then, divide the stitches in half onto 2 DPNs, as you did for the first half, so the increase column is centered.

Slide the two halves onto the headband blank, with the increase columns on the underside of the headband. Thread the long tail from the first half onto a tapestry needle and graft the two halves together using Kitchener stitch, or the grafting method of your choice.

Knot

Cast on 26 sts using a Provisional Cast On, then join to begin working in the rnd. (26 sts)

Rnds 1-10: K.

Place the first 13 sts on one DPN and the other 13 on a second DPN. Using two more DPNs; pick up the stitches from the Provisional Cast On and divide them half onto each needle (to match the working stitches on the other two needles).

Hold the two needles with the picked up sts together, then using a third needle; *insert the needle through the first stitch on the front needle and the first stitch on the back needle and slip them both to the right hand needle. Using one of the left hand needles, slip the rightmost stitch on the right hand needle over the left stitch and off the needle (1 st decreased); rep from * until you’ve joined all the stitches. (13 sts rem)

The cast on end should now be closed. Leave the 13 sts in place on the single DPN and continue to knit the active stitches on the other end, as follows…

Re-divide the active sts onto 3 DPNs. (26 sts)

Rnds 11-40: K.

Divide the stitches in half onto 2 needles.

Holding both needles together in your left hand and using a third needle in your right hand; *insert the right needle into the first stitch on the front needle and the first stitch on the back needle, then K2tog; rep from * to end of row. (13 sts rem)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for grafting.

Finishing

You should now have a 5¼” piece of Stockinette tubing, with one DPN on each end, each with 13 sts. Holding one end in each hand, twist the work once, to create a mobieus twist in the center of the tube. Using the pictures as a guide; place the twist over the center of the headband and bring the two needles to the underside of the headband. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and graft the two sets of stitches together using Kitchener stitch, or the grafting method of your choice.

Weave in ends.