Armed with just a ball of bulky yarn, a pair of knitting needles, and the ability to knit and purl, you can banish frigid ears forever! If you are not afraid of simple cables, increases, and decreases, you can achieve additional levels of earwarming loveliness.

The most ambitious pattern is presented first, followed by two easier variations. You should have no problem finding a pattern to fit your own comfort level!

Required Skills
Long-tail cast-on
Knit and purl
Basic bind-off
Crocheting a chain (or other method of making a button loop)
Sewing on a button

Helpful Skills
Increasing (kfb, kbf) and decreasing (k2tog, ssk, p2tog, ssp) only necessary for two of the patterns
Left-facing cable only necessary for one of the patterns

Tools and Materials
100 yards bulky yarn
1-inch button
Size 10 straight needles
Cable needle
Size J crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors

Topics Covered
Pattern for a tapered headband with three cabled ribs (intermediate).
Pattern for a tapered headband with three ribs (beginner).
Pattern for a straight-sided headband with two ribs (newbie).
Basic descriptions of two kinds of increases and four kinds of decreases
Basic description of a left-facing cable
Formula for determining a tapered headband’s measurements
Plenty of photos