Free Pattern: Bitty Knit Headband

I needed to do something different for the blog, something other than washcloths. I’m not saying I’m done with those, I just needed some variety. The other thing I needed was something to do with the many little balls of yarn I have left over from miscellaneous projects. I think we all have a lot of scrap yarn lying around. So the Bitty Knit Headband needed to be made. Bitty means “made up of or containing bits” (Merriam-Webster) so it seemed a good name for this headband!

After finishing my Fairy Dust socks I was still on the fence about lace. There are so many different lace stitches and motifs that can be knit, so it seemed like I should try more of them to give lace a fair shake.

I made this headband with leftover DK from my English Garden socks because I’m so obsessed with the colour (kitten nose pink from Ancient Arts Yarn). And since colourwork DK sweaters are so popular, I’m guessing a lot of people have a little bit of scrap yarn in DK weight leftover. While I made it with DK, I do think it would also work with fingering weight yarn, you’d just end up with a more open lace pattern.

In these pictures I chose to tie it using a granny knot, the one I learned back in Brownies to tie my neck scarf that is still stuck in my head in this sing-song pattern:

“Left over right and unn-der, right over left and unn-der.”

I actually said it that way in my head as I tied it.

The pattern itself is dead simple. It is the same every single row so you don’t have to think too hard about it. And since you can decide how long you want it, you can make it into a baby or kids headband, or lengthen it and make a belt!

Pattern

Gauge: 1″ x 1″ (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm) = 10 rows x 6 stitches in pattern
Finished measurements: 1.25″ x 33″ (19.5 cm x 20 cm)

Materials:

• 3.5 mm needles (US 4)
• ~ 24 g / 53 yds DK weight yarn (this will vary depending on how long you decide to make yours!)

Abbreviations used:
– k: knit
– p: purl
– ssk: slip, slip, knit (slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise, then knit both stitches together through the back loop)
– yo: yarn over

Pattern:
– Cast on 8 stitches (I prefer the long tail cast on)
– k1, (yo, ssk) 3 times, k1

Repeat until desired length* then bind off knitwise.

*To reach 33″ on mine I did 330 rows. To determine how long you may want your head band, measure your head circumference as you would wear the headband, then add 11″. If you want longer tails than you see in my pictures, add more length!

Usually I recommend blocking your finished items, but it’s up to you! I did NOT block this one because I liked how the ends were curling, so I felt like it matched my hair!

Use #bittyknitheadband and #knittleandpearl to share your wips and finished projects!