The updated version of the pattern includes an additional photo and a better, more traditional term for the brioche set-up stitch (sl1yo).

Grade is a simple yet engaging knit—and a nice lightweight headband alternative to winter hats. As a project, it’s relatively quick, but requires a little bit of attention and feels a little more intricate and finer, due to the lighter gauge. It knits up best in heavy sock yarn or light sportweight.

Grade is knit from colorful, easy-to-find sock yarn: Patons Kroy Socks knits up like a heavy fingering— or even a sport-weight yarn for me—and shows off the little color stripes and gradations in it, and will show off a good handspun, too! It’s got a pronounced slope when viewed flat, from the side; instead of being the same depth all the way around, it’s shallower at the back of the neck, with more coverage for the ears and top of the head.

There is one potentially unusual increase in this .PDF, so fair warning! It’s pretty intuitive, but I’ve included a visual tutorial in all the Raw Brioche patterns that happen to use it.

Grade is sized to fit average adults; it is about 8.5” across laid flat and without any stretching, and fits head circumferences between 21-23” best, with a little negative ease.

Gauge is 22 sts and 48 rows in 4” of garter st. Gauge is important to the fit of a headband. Please be sure to check your gauge.

Materials are:
140 yards of heavy fingering-weight or light sport yarn, such as Patons Kroy Socks
16” circular needle US size 3-4/3.25-3.5mm, or size needed for gauge
2 removable stitch markers
Tapestry needle, for weaving in ends

Current samples are shown in Patons Kroy Sock in Singin the Blues colorway, and in some light white-grey handspun Shetland.

Grade Headband is a personal-use .PDF knitting pattern.