I participated in Christmas in July over at Craftaholic’s anonymous. I made two of these for my giftee in Switzerland. I GOT some amazing gifts from my giver, Sumi, in India but need to take pictures and post about it. Because of the broken wrist, mono, family reunion (RIGHT NOW) and the remodel I haven’t had a moment to do it yet. BUT look for it next week once I get back. She was SO generous, I love it and can’t wait to share it properly with you guys!

Last winter I saw these everywhere. But I just can’t bring myself to pay for one! Not when I know how to knit myself! But finding a pattern was tough. I knew I could make one up if I wanted to, but it’s easier to start with one. Eventually, after mixing a few different patterns I found what worked for me. Now remember everyone has a different gauge so if you need to adjust it to fit your gauge then do that! This is more of a guide than a pattern. I’m a more intuitive knitter, changing and “fixing” patterns as I go. So if something doesn’t make sense to email me and I’ll try to clarify! Hopefully this “guide” will make sense to you and it will click as you work on it! This fit my daughters and me just fine. The knit stretches a bit so it’s kind of one size fits all!

Headband Earwarmer
Size 6 or 8 knitting needles (I went with size 8 needles)
Favorite yarn (about a skein)
Size J Crochet Hook (optional)*
Button

Finished Size:
22″-24″ long (your preference) and 4″ wide at widest part

We’ll be working a Knit/Purl rib pattern across ever row.
Cast on 7 stitches.
row 1: Knit/purl/knit/purl cont…
row 2: next row purl/knit/purl/ cont…
repeat until you have 4 rows.

Now we’re going to start our increase. Well increase every odd row, and repeat the rib pattern on every even row. Now after every other increase you’ll have two knit’s or two purls in a row. Don’t worry about it. It will be fixed on your next increase. row

5: Repeat your rib pattern until the center stitch. Use your favorite increase here. then repeat the rib pattern
6: rib pattern
7: rib pattern until you get to the center. when you hit the double knit (or purl) in the center pick up the loop between stitches and purl (or knit) to continue the pattern.
8: rib pattern

Repeat 5-8 until the patterns is about 4 inches across. Make sure your repeating a nice knit/purl pattern all the way across (no double stitch in the center- It will be an odd number of stitches on your needle). Now the decrease will be the same length as the increase so figure out how long you want your headband. When it’s half as long as you want it to be notice how long you’ve been stitching the 4 inch wide center. (in my case about 3 inches) and finish the center by adding the same length again (another 3 inches).

Time to start the decrease.
Row 1 (of decrease): repeat the pattern until you get to the center stitch. Decrease by knitting (or purling) together the center and the next stitch (creating whatever the second stitch is eg. if your center stitch is a knit your middle will be a purl and purl together). Repeat the rib pattern.
2: Rib pattern across (there will be a double knit/purl in the center- even number of stitches)
3: Rib pattern to the center, knit (or purl) the double stitches together.
4: Rib pattern across (back to an odd number of stitches)

When you get back to 7 stitches bind off leaving one stitch on the needle. At this point I transfered that stitch to a crochet hook and Worked a chain of 6. I’m sure there is a way to do a chain on knitting needle, but the crochet hook is the quickest. At this point you can attach it with a single crochet to the other side of the bottom edge. OR if you want a more decorative edge you can crocheting around the edge. I used a single crochet around the edge all the way back around the button hole back to where I started the crocheting. Secure the end and weave in the tail!

Add a button to the first side and try it on! Decorate however you’d like. I like this crochet flower!

Crochet Flower
J Hook (or whatever your preference to get the size you’d like)
Yarn (same color or other)
This flower can be as tight or as loose as you’d like it, so the size depends on that.

Chain 53
Row 1: DC in 5th Chain from hook *CH 1, skip 1 (DC-CH-DC) in next ch (V stitch made). repeat from * across to end, turn.
Row 2: CH 3 (counts as DC) 5 DC in CH space, *SC in next CH-1 space, 6 DC in next CH-1 space (shell stitch made). Repeat from *, ending in 6 DC in last CH-1 space. Fasten off, but leave a good LONG tail for anchoring the flower. 10 inches or so.

Finishing
Threading the tail onto the needle and weave it into the base of the last stitch. Starting at that end, roll the first shell tighly to form the center bud. Stitch this one tightly. Keep rolling and stitching as you see fit. You can roll loosely or tightly depending on your preference.

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