Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Free Knitting Pattern: Chunky Colorblock Headband / Earwarmer


Today I'd like to share my first free knitting pattern / tutorial! Temperatures have started to cool down here in the Midwest, and I'm looking forward to fall... I just love bundling up in scarves, hats, and all kinds of warm knits. This easy knit pattern adds a trendy colorblock twist to a basic headband. Instructions and step-by-step photos below...




MATERIALS:


  • Super bulky yarn in two colors (I used Lion Brand's Thick and Quick Wool Ease in Raspberry and Butterscotch)
  • Size 13 knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
  • Scissors
  • Crochet hook and scrap yarn (for provisional cast on)
  • Needle (for Kitchener Stitch to bind the ends together)
**Note: If you don't feel comfortable using the provisional cast on and Kitchener Stitch to join your headband seamlessly, you can use the traditional methods of casting on and binding off. Then, you can either sew the two ends of your headband together or attach a couple buttons.**


Gauge: 10 st = about 4 inches

PATTERN:

To make this headband a seamless loop, I use the Provisional Cast On method and the Kitchener Stitch.  Instead of walking you through these steps here, I'll direct you to the step-by-step tutorials on The Purl Bee, which do an excellent job of showing you what to do.

Using the Provisional Cast On and Color A (in my case, Raspberry) cast on 10 stitches.

Row 1 (and every other row): K9, sl 1 knitwise (this creates a more even edge along your work)



Repeat Row 1 for 20 rows. 

Begin Row 21 with Color B, leaving a tail from both yarns for you to weave in later on.


Knit rows of Color B for as many rows as you like, depending on how much of this color you'd like in your headband. I knit 10 rows of Butterscotch before switching back to Raspberry. Make sure that you knit an even number of rows in Color B to keep the color-change seams on the same side of your work.

The number of rows that you knit with Color A to finish your headband really depends on your head size, as well as how snug you want the headband to be. I knit a total of 45 rows in my headband.



Once you've knit your final row, do not bind off. Pick up the stitches on the beginning side of your work with the other needle, and create a seamless graft using the Kitchener Stitch. (It's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it!) Remember, if you don't feel comfortable using this method, you can bind off normally and either sew or button your headband together.
Weave in your ends and you've finished! Now you have a warm and cozy ear warmer for the cool winter months, in a trendy colorblock pattern:



When I was trying this on I found out that it also makes a cute little neck warmer too, if you like smaller cowls:



This is an easy pattern to modify-- you can make a thicker or thinner headband by increasing or decreasing the number of stitches, knit in one solid color, or create a rainbow of colors across your ear warmer. Let me know if you have any questions while knitting; I'm happy to help!

**Please feel free to share and link to this pattern, but do not redistribute or produce items from this pattern for commercial use.**

P.S. Not a knitter? This headband is available for sale in your choices of color here in my shop!

-Megan

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