Headbands are great projects for knitting. They are usually quick and easy projects that use a small amount of yarn (making them great for stash busting!). They are perfect portable projects because of their small size and they make great gifts – especially for those who want to keep their head or ears warm without wearing a hat. But they can also be used as workout gear or even for bad hair days. Headbands are versatile and useful, so if you have some leftover yarn lying around, check out the patterns below for inspiration.
In this article we’ll look at ten fun and easy patterns for headbands that you can cast on today:
- Headband with a Twist from Mirella Moments
- Woven Cable Headband by Priscillia Aloha
- Saturn Rings from Drops Design
- Very Warm Headband from Churchmouse Yarns
- Harriet’s Headband by Harriet Middleton
- Simple Seed Stitch Headband from All About Ami
- Ruby Beach from Tolt Yarn & Wool
- Big Bow Headband from iKnits
- Sunrise Headband from Blue Sky Fibers
- Bad Hair Day Head Scarf from Margo Knits
Below you’ll find links to each of the patterns as well as some recommended yarn.
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Headband with a Twist
The Headband with a Twist from Mirella Moments is a classic twisted headband featuring a classic English-rib fabric that’s textured and dense, making it great for cold weather. The rib pattern is a one-row repeat that is worked like Brioche – with yarn overs and slipped stitches. Use an alpaca and wool blend for warmth and softness.
Get the pattern: Headband with a Twist
Suggested yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Woven Cable Headband
Cables are a classic choice when it comes to hand-knit headbands. This Woven Cable Headband is worked back-and-forth in rows (an 8-row repeat) and features an all-over interlinked cable pattern with a Garter stitch edge. After the headband is the length required, bind off and seam the cast on and bind off edges together.
Get the pattern: Woven Cable Headband
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Simply Aran
Saturn Rings
The Saturn Rings headband from Drops Design is a fun design worked in a simple rib pattern. Increases are worked in the purl stitches to slowly widen the headband for the top of the head. When it’s time to decrease, they will be worked the same way – worked in the purl sections of the rib pattern. It creates an interesting rib headband.
Get the pattern: Saturn Rings
Suggested yarn: Cascade 220
Very Warm Headband
The Very Warm Headband from Churchmouse Yarns is a great introduction to knitting. It’s worked in Garter stitch (just knit every row) with a 3-stitch I-cord edging. When it’s as long as you need to wrap around your head (which is easily adjustable since Garter stitch is so stretchy), bind off. Simply seam the ends together and wave in the ends.
Get the pattern: Very Warm Headband
Suggested yarn: Blue Sky FIbers Woolstok
Harriet’s Headband
Harriet’s Headband is a beautiful stranded Fair-Isle design. It’s a reversible pattern that’s worked in the round – so it’s like two headbands in one! One side features a large, classic eight-pointed star and the other side has a corrugated rib and some smaller Fair Isle motifs.
Get the pattern: Harriet’s Headband
Suggested yarn: Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift
Simple Seed Stitch Headband
Seed stitch is a common stitch pattern that every knitter should know and an easy headband is a great way to practice. The headband also uses bulky yarn so it’s perfect for beginner knitters who are new to Seed stitch. Simply work the pattern as long as you need then seam the ends together. To hide the seam and create the cinched-in effect, a smaller piece is worked and wrapped around the seam.
Get the pattern: Simple Seed Stitch Headband
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick-and-Quick
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Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach from Tolt Yarn & Wool is a kerchief-style headband. It’s worked tip to tip in Garter stitch, beginning and ending with just a few stitches. There are two options for keeping the ends together – you can simply tie the toe ends together or add a button and buttonhole.
Get the pattern: Ruby Beach
Suggested yarn: Debbie Bliss Erin Tweed
Big Bow Headband
The Big Bow Headband is just the thing for those who like bows! The pattern is available in four sizes (from baby to adult). It’s worked in Garter stitch and easily adjustable. The headband part is worked flat and the seamed together. The bow is worked as a large piece and then bunched in the middle to create the bow shape and attached to the headband.
Get the pattern: Big Bow Headband
Suggested yarn: Willow & Lark Poetry
Sunrise Headband
The Sunrise Headband is a trendy combination of Seed stitch with a cable cross to create the twisted top. Worked in cotton it would also make a great headband for workouts when you want to keep your hair back and out of your face while you exercise.
Get the pattern: Sunrise Headband
Suggested yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Worsted Cotton
Bad Hair Day Head Scarf
The Bad Hair Day Head Scarf is a great choice when you just want to keep your hair out of your face (or to cover those roots!). Worked in fingering-weight yarn on larger needles, it produces an open, airy fabric. It’s just simple Garter stitch with some rows of elongated yarn overs for additional texture and interest. Work it in a cotton, bamboo, and silk blend for added drape and softness.
Get the pattern: Bad Hair Day Head Scarf
Suggested yarn: HiKoo CoBaSi
Headband Knitting Tips
Headbands make great easy projects for beginner knitters. They are small and perfect for practicing new knitting techniques. And for those who are more adventurous, they are easily to knit without a pattern.
How many stitches should I cast on for a headband?
Look at the gauge information on the yarn label and use that to determine how many stitches to cast on. For a narrow headband, cast on enough stitches to equal four inches. For a wider headband, cast on even more stitches.
For example, a worsted weight yarn might list the gauge as 16 stitches to 4 inches. So you could cast on 16 stitches for a 4-inch wide headband. Add four stitches for every inch wider that you would like the headband to be.
Can I knit a headband without a pattern?
Headbands are easy to knit without a pattern. Cast on enough stitches to equal about four inches, checking the gauge information of the yarn you’re using to determine how many stitches that should be.
For a simple headband, knit every row (Garter stitch) until it’s about one-inch smaller than the circumference of your head. Garter stitch stretches quite a lot and knitting it slightly smaller will provide some negative ease to hold it in place. Bind off the stitches and then seam the cast on and bind off edges together.
If you like the gathered look for your headband, knit a smaller rectangle to cover the seam and cinch it in to created a gathered, cinched effect when you wrap it around the headband and sew it in place.
How do I measure my head for a headband?
Using a fabric tape measure, wrap it around your head in the same position that you would like to wear the headband – from the top of the head around to the nape of the neck and back up again. Note this measurement and use it as a guideline for knitting your headband, planning to knit the headband about one inch smaller than the measurement for enough negative ease to help keep the headband in place.
What yarn is best for a knit headband?
To keep your headband on your head, you need a yarn that has some stretch but also some memory and elasticity so it will hold it’s shape. Wool has the best memory and elasticity so it’s a great choice for a headband. Look for blends with alpaca for a warm headband. For a lighter headband look for a wool and cotton blend.
Recommended Knitting Books
- One Skein Wonders by Judith Durant (available on Amazon)
- Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders by Judith Durant (available on Amazon)
- 60 Quick Knits for Beginners (available on Amazon)
More Knitting Pattern Ideas
- 20 Stash Busting Knitting Patterns
- 8 Simple Fingerless Mitt Patterns for Beginner Knitters
- 12 Interesting Tank Top Knitting Patterns