Free Knitting Pattern: Turban Headband

First up, I hope you're all well and haven't been too affected by the storm. The electricity has been flickering, and we had no water this morning, but apart from that we haven't been hit too badly here.

This weather has me reaching for my warmest clothes, and all my warm winter woollies - hats especially, as the cold winds are particularly bitter. I fancied switching it up though, after months of wearing knitted beanies, and decided to make a knitted headband. The best thing about a knitted headband, is that there is an option to wear your hair up or down, and still keep your ears nice and toasty.

 

This was one of those projects, that whilst really simple to make, seemed to take forever to finish. It is a very plain pattern, with no intarsia or cabling, and in hindsight I would probably add either one or the other, just to make it a little more interesting to knit. I think I was also affected by the fact that it has been a long time since I knitted with 4-ply wool, and at first it seemed like I was knitting using candyfloss and cocktail sticks. I'd forgotten how lovely thin wool is when knitted up though - so soft and tactile, that the knitting time was definitely worth it.

 

You will Need:

• 100g 4-ply wool of your choice
• 3mm knitting needles
• A sewing needle

Abbreviations:

• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• St(s) - Stitch(es)

Knit side is the right side, although you could choose to use the other side if you wanted.

 

Cast on 30 sts.

Row 1: K across (30)
Row 2: P across (30)

Repeat working in stocking stitch, until your knitting fits comfortably around your head. The best way to test this is to hold your knitting around your head, and see if it fits as you would like it to. You could measure around the circumference of your head, but I wanted mine to fit around to the base of my head. Make sure not to make it too tight or too long, or your headband won't be comfortable.

 

Cast off in your preferred technique.

 

If you find that the sides of your knitting are curling in (mine were), gently run over your knitting with an iron. You want it to be quite warm, but not overly hot, or your knitting will become felted (unless that's the look you want - experiment!).

 

To sew up, fold your long rectangle in half, right sides facing, so that the cast on edge and the cast off edge meet, and a loop is formed. Using a big sewing needle and some of your wool, sew a running stitch through both of these edges, and pull tight to form your turban's gather. Tie off your wool, and turn the right side out.

 

The running stitch gather



This photo makes me cringe, big time

 You could easily adapt this idea, and make your headband in a thicker wool. I'd actually recommend a thin wool though, even though it takes a long time to knit up, the fine knit finish is worth it.

 

I actually quite like the simplicity of the finished design, but you could add other elements to it by using specialised wool, or working in stripes perhaps. Add a byzantine touch and wear a fancy brooch in the middle of your turban. Choose a colour that complements the colour of your hair - I think it would look great in jewel tones, emerald and ruby shades, as well as more natural colours.

 

Let me know if you try this (especially if you tweak it slightly - I'd love to see photos!), and if you have any questions about the tutorial, please post a comment and I'll try my best to help you.