Monica Knits

The autumn weather was too cold for a sweatband and too warm for jogging or hiking with a woolen cap or waterproof hood. Fortuitously, I found an attractive alternative while researching gold yarns for a forthcoming project. There are often strong winds where I live, so I needed something that could keep my ears warm when needed and prevent bangs from blowing into my eyes. It has become my favorite cool (not cold) weather accessory. I wore it fall, winter and now in the spring.

Design Features. 1-3/4" wide, two color braided band, joined in the round with a knitted tube, of adjustable length/tightness. Buttonhole elastic, accessed via a knitted buttonhole on the skin side of the tube allows tightening or loosening the band to fit. Stocking stitch and 1 x 1 rib. My husband, who doesn't normally comment on clothes, immediately remarked at the band's attractiveness. My walking buddy bought some yarn so I could knit her one as well. Soon we'll be twins. (...photo coming...)

I came across Lion Brand's free Braided Headband pattern (60598), designed with Wool-Ease^RT yarn. The beginner level pattern was on their web site and I'll refer you there for the original pattern and supply list. Here, you will find the yarn, gauge and pattern modifications I made:
1) Colors. Original is Azalea Pink (620-195) and Paprika (620-188). I used Gold (620-171) and Natural Heather (620-098).
2) Eliminated grossgrain ribbon. A knitted tube, containing a buttonhole, buttonhole elastic and button was substituted for the grossgrain ribbon, so that the headband would stay put in wind and motion and to provide a little extra warmth over my ears when needed. The elastic allows adjustment should the band stretch with use.
3) Narrower band.
4) 3.5 mm DPN needles, based on swatch appearance/gauge.
5) Instead of knitting 12" long braid strips, I made them 16-1/2" long. Once braided, each segment was 14-1/2" long.

Dimensions: 1-3/4" wide x 24" outside diameter
Materials: 2 colors of worsted weight yarn, 3.5 mm double pointed needles (4"x4" swatch below), two pieces of 3/4" wide buttonhole elastic, 1 button, yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends

Yarn: Wool-Ease (80%:20% acrylic:wool), 3 oz in each of two colors
Gauge with Single Yarn:

INSTRUCTIONS
Foundation row: Use both colors of yarn together. Cast on 5 sts.
Braid Pattern: 1 x 1 ribbing, strips
Row 1: (K1, P1)* twice K1
Row 2: (P1, K1)* twice P1
Repeat rows 1 & 2 for 16-1/2". Cast off loosely. Leave tail for sewing.
Make 2 additional strips. Stack the 3 strips and sew them together at one end. Braid them and then sew the opposite ends together.

Tube Pattern: Use both colors of yarn together. Using DPNs, cast on 12 sts. Using the I-cord method (see stitch patterns for further information on I cords), knit an elastic casing, the length to fit plus 1/2" for ease. A 4 stitch buttonhole is knitted 3" from the start of the tube. After a further 2" is knitted, sew the tube containing the attached buttonhole elastic to one end of the braided headband. (Buttonhole elastic ends can be finished by serging or folding under and stitching prior to insertion.) Sew a flat button to the elastic at the button hole position. Then attach the 2nd piece of elastic with the button This enables you to try the band on for length as you continue knitting.

I-cord method:
Step 1, Foundation row: cast on 12 sts using DPNs
Step 2, Row 1: K12
Step 3: Slide these 12 sts to the opposite end of the same needle. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the I-cord is 3" long, then knit a buttonhole.

Buttonhole:
Buttonhole row 1: K4, cast off 4, K4 (center buttonhole on the scalp side of the band, so that it is not visible when worn.)
Buttonhole row 2: K3, Kf&b (knit into the front & back of the stitch), cast on 3, K4

Finish tube: follow steps 2 & 3 of the I-cord method until the desired length is reached. Cast off. I knitted the tube 11" long, but after sewing and taking up ease with the buttonhole elastic, this segment was 10" long. Sew the remaining tube end with inserted elastic to the braid. The tube overlaps the braided end, and the elastic is sewn to the inside tube on the scalp side.
Finish the sides of the button hole with a buttonhole or whip stitch using one of the yarn colors. Since it is hidden on the scalp side of the band, the stitching doesn't need to be elegant.