Cables have the ability to gracefully curve, and when I decided to make a “pinched oval” shaped headband, I could not help but think of cables. From the front/top, the cables are a simple border around the reverse stockinette center. But on the sides we see the cables break up and swoop inward.

This pattern is written out line by line, and charted. Use the set of directions that you prefer, or switch back and forth.