Free Knitting Pattern - Headband Ear Warmer (Thin Yarn Version) NEW AND IMPROVED

Headband Earwarmer (DK Yarn Version)

Materials:

Size 6 knitting needles

Rowan Wool Cotton (just under 1 skein) - this is a DK yarn

Size J Crochet Hook (optional)*

Button

Guage: 9 st/inch (in the rib pattern)

Abbreviations:

m1B – From the back, lift loop between stitches with the left needle, purl into the front of loop

m1F – From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into the back of loop.

pfb – purl front and back

You will begin with 9 stitches, increase on the middle stitch if the row has an odd number of stitches and between the middle 2 stitches if your row has an even number of stitches. You will increase on every RS row for 7”, knit in pattern 4”, then decrease back down--again, always on that middle stitch. So if you CO more or less, just always do your increases and decreases at the very center of the row. The easiest way to think about the knitting part of this pattern, is that you only ever do anything different to the stitches right in the center of  a row and the rest is always worked in the rib pattern. So the inc will be right in the center of the row, the dec, also right in the center of the row and everything else is always the rib. 

Directions:

CO 9 st

Row 1 (RS): K1, P1 rib across

Row 2 (WS): P1, K1 across

Row 3: Repeat row 1

Row 4: Repeat row 2

Begin the increase:

Row 5: K1, P1, K1, P1, Kfb, P1, K1, P1, K1 (10 st)

Row 6: P1, K1, P1, K1, P2, K1, P1, K1, P1 (you will have two purl stitches next to each other right in the very center of the row--this is fine as you will increase BETWEEN them on the next row.) 

Row 7: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, m1B, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 (11 st)

Row 8: Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Row 9: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, Pfb, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 (12 st)

Row 10: P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K2, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1  (again, you will have two knit stitches next to each other right in the very center of the row, you will increase BETWEEN them on the next row) 

Row 11: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, m1F, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 (13 st)

Row 12: Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Continue to increase in this manner until your work measures 7” from the cast on edge. You should have 33 stitches on the needle.

Work in the rib pattern for another 4” (until you have 11” from the cast on edge)

Begin the decrease:

Row 1 (RS): [K1, P1] 7x, K1, P3tog, K1, [P1, K1] 7x (31 st)


Row 2 (WS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Row 3 (RS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches 


Row 4 (WS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Row 5 (RS): [K1, P1] 7x, K3tog, [P1, K1] 7x (29 st)

Row 6 (WS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches 


Row 7 (RS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Row 8 (WS): Work in the rib pattern across all the stitches

Continue to decrease in this manner—every other RS row k3tog or p3tog the two very middle stitches, with the rest of the stitches being worked in the rib--until you have 9 stitches on the needle. Ending with 4 rows of knitting in the rib pattern. BO leaving the last stitch on the needle.

Crochet Edging*:

Transfer this stitch to a crochet hook. Chain 4-6 stitches and connect them to the beginning of the BO edge (this makes the button loop so size it according to the size of your button). Now start crocheting around the edge. I did 1 single crochet stitch in every st along the edge. Go all the way around the headband, then around the button loop. Secure and cut yarn and tie off. Weave in all ends.

*The entire crochet border is optional. It gives the edge a bit of a decorative look. But the headband looks fine without it. If you choose not to do it, you may want to add a few more stitches to begin with to make the headband wider and knit a few extra rows in the center to make it a bit longer. You’ll also need to make a buttonhole on the row before your bind off.

Add whatever embellishment you choose. (The one pictured is from Susan B. Anderson in Itty Bitty Hats.) Or I've added a crocheted flower to the Bulky Yarn Version you might like to try.