Headbands, also known as head wraps and ear warmers, have been worn for countless generations during a variety of occasions across the world. Popularized frequently during tennis matches, headbands offer the benefits of allowing your hair to breathe while controlling sweat during the summer and keeping your ears warm during the winter; headbands also keep your hair neat as well as glamorize hair. When it comes to winter headbands, I look for certain qualities that include bulkiness, wideness, softness, snugness, and creativity – all of which cable knitted headbands provide. Described below are links to five amazing cabled headband knitting patterns.
Nakiska by Amy Swenson
Amy’s free knitting pattern allows you to make a custom-sized cabled headband that ranges from kids’ sizes small/medium to adults’ sizes medium/large. The measurements include circumferences between 11 inches to 20 inches and widths between 3 inches to 3.25 inches. This gorgeous, wide, and snuggly-fit cabled headband is knitted with a 50% Angora and 50% Wool yarn called Classic Elite Lush using a size 5 (3.75 mm/12-inch circular needle), a cable needle, and a tapestry needle.
Lattice Cable Headband Pattern by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence
Published on Knit Picks website, this free knitting pattern makes a brilliant, wide cabled headband with a lattice cable design that resembles a woven design. The recommended yarn is one 50-gram skein of Elegance York (70% Baby Alpaca and 30% silk) and size US 6 ( 4 mm ) straight or circular needles.
Anthro Inspired Plaited Headband by Katie LeComte
Katie has designed a simple pattern for an exquisite “Anthro Inspired Plaited Headband” that resembles a thick braid that wraps around your head. The required materials include one skein of bulky weight yarn, size 10 knitting needles, and a cable needle.
Cabled Calorimetry Headband w/Tutorial by Natalex
Natalex has designed a knitting pattern for a wide, multicolored, cable knitted headband that fastens with a button. The materials needed include Lamb’s Pride bulky yarn (two skeins of a different color), a size 10 circular needle, and a cable needle.
Cable and Bobble Headband by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Available for purchase in Interweave Knits, Winter 2006 magazine at the online Interweave Store, is the “Cable and Bobble Headband” pattern designed by Carrie Bostic Hoge. This awesome bulky and wide, multicolored cabled headband with I-cord ties is knitted with one skein of Caron Felt-It yarn (100% wool), two size 10 ½ ( 6.5 mm ) double-pointed needles, a cable needle, a tapestry needle, and an optional pom-pom maker. The finished size is 3 ¾ inches wide by 18 inches long.
Overall, the instructions for these cable knitted headband patterns are simple to master. The main concern is knitting these headbands with a snug fit that tailors to an individual’s head size. The designer of the cabled headband “Nakiska”, Amy Swenson, offers the advice of “measuring the circumference of the head and subtracting 3- 5 inches” since stretchiness increases with wear. Of most value, women, men, and teens will be pleased with the warmth that cable knit headbands provide during the winter.
Sources
Dimeler-Laurence, K. “Lattice Cable Headband Pattern.”Knit Picks.
Hoge, C.B. “Cable and Bobble Headband.”Knitting Daily.
LeComte, K. “Katiedid Crafts: Anthro Inspired Plaited Headband.”Krafty-Katie Blogspot.
Natalex. “Cabled Calorimetry Headband w/Tutorial.”Craftster.
Swenson, A. “Knitty.com.”Knitty.
