Maner- Free Pattern

I've been into unusual (but simple) construction techniques lately, and this one is certainly both. Off, it looks nothing like a headband. It looks...well, I don't know. Like some sort of little hammock for ferrets, maybe. But on, it works very well:





Not quite a headband, not quite a hat...but infinitely useful. Keeps your ears warm and your hair in check. I think it would be great for dreads...I almost want to dread my hair just so I can have more of an excuse for wearing it every other day. Yes, it does have a little wrinkly/gathery bit down near the back, but I kind of like that about it. It's kind of reminiscent of a headscarf and when you want that extra fabric to cover your ears better, you're glad it's there. I may try and rework it later with some decreases to get rid of it, though.

Anyway, here's the pattern:

Yarn: 1 skein Tahki Stacy Charles Savoy
Needles: Size 7 circs
Gauge: Approx. 7 st/in in k1, p1 rib (unstretched)

CO 126 stitches and join in round.
-Work one round in k1, p1 rib
-Next round: yo, p2tog, work rest of round in k1, p1 rib
-Work additional 3 inches in k1, p1 rib
Bind off. Flatten tube so that hole made by yarn over is at one corner. Seam the bind-off edge together* so you have what looks like some long, shallow bag. Sew a button on the corner opposite the hole. It will look nothing like a headband, but just try wrapping it around your head :-)

(*you could also use a three-needle bind off or kitchener stitch, if you prefer.)

A note on sizing: I have a 22 inch head, which is pretty average. When this was first finished it was pretty tight, but has loosened up with wearing and is now perfect. If you have a bigger head, a smaller gauge, or a less-elastic yarn or cast on, the piece might not fit. Make sure you're using a yarn that's at least as elastic as wool, and a cast on such as long tail which is nice and stretchy. If you have a bigger head, you can recalculate the cast on number by cross-multiplying.

so:

my CO number(126)                              your CO number
---------                    =              ------------------
my head size (22)                              your head size

So let's say your head is 24 inches. You would multiply my cast on number, 126, by your head size, 24. Then divide by my head size, 22. You get 137.45. We'll round up to 138 so it's an even number for the ribbing, and there you go. Middle school math is awesome.

ALSO! If you knit for less than 3 inches to make a narrower headband, it WILL make the whole thing smaller, since part of that width ends up going towards the length, if that makes sense. Knitting for more than 3 inches will make it wider AND longer.


Find it on Ravelry Here!

(the fine print: Your use of this pattern constitutes your agreement to use this pattern only for personal, non-profit use without specific written permission from the designer (just email me!) Items made from this pattern may not be sold without permission, nor may the pattern itself be copied, sold, or distributed in any way. You may print one copy for personal use. Please do not reproduce the text of this document on other sites- just post a link :-) Thanks guys!)

If you need to contact me with questions, my email address is presentsknits@gmail.com - please email instead of commenting since it's much easier for me to reply that way! Thanks!