As much as I love handknit hats, there are many times that I style (and I’m using the term style very generously!) my hair in a ponytail and still desire a bit of wool warmth. Enter the headband! EXTRA LAYER does the job by providing a much-appreciated cozy fabric to accommodate the ponytail lifestyle. Designed for DK weight yarn, this pattern is intuitive to knit. The tie version is easily adaptable to many head sizes, and totally reversible. If you’re feeling fancy, put the tie in the front and style it in a bow.

In addition to the tie version, directions are provided for button and sewn versions, along with suggestions for modifying the design for other yarn weights. Testers have completed headbands in fingering to bulky weights with ease, and all versions use less than 50 g of yarn.

YARN
Samples shown in various DK weight yarns, approximately 35-45 g needed for adult-sized headband.

Tie version: Suburban Stitcher Merino DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 250 yd / 229 m per 115 g www.suburbanstitcher.com
Colorway shown: Yarn Lang Syne, 80 yd / 73 m (37 g).

Button version 1: Theatre Kid Yarns Mezzanine DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 231 yd / 211 m per 100 g.www.theatrekidyarns.com
Colorway shown: Sufganiyot, 76 yd / 70 m (33 g).

Button version 2: Knit Picks Swish DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 123 yd / 112 m per 50 g. www.knitpicks.com
Colorway shown: Dove Heather, 66 yd / 61 m (27 g).

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS – TIE VERSION
Length including ties: 41.5” / 105 cm
Center section length: 19.5” / 50 cm
Width at center: 3.75” / 9.5 cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS – BUTTON & SEWN VERSIONS
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4)
Headband length (without button loop): 19.5” (20.5”, 21.5”, 22.5”) / 50 (52, 55, 57) cm
Width at center: 3.75” / 9.5 cm

Vary overall length by adjusting length of center repeat. Some test knitters preferred a shorter length with the tie version for smaller head sizes, as the ties themselves add length. Tie version can be 4” / 10 cm smaller than head size. Button and sewn versions can be 0-2” / 0-5 cm smaller than head size, depending on preferred fit.

GAUGE & NEEDLES
24 stitches & 36 rows = 4” / 10 cm in 8-row pattern repeat
US 4 / 3.75 mm needle or size needed to get gauge, either straight or circular (minimum overall length: 9” / 23 cm) for straight needles, or 16”/ 40 cm for circular)

Share your finished work on Instagram with #ExtraLayerHeadband.

Thanks and credits also go to:
Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Laura H., Laura L, Tiffany N.
Tina P., Kim R., & Josiane RdL.