This is a charity pattern. All money made from the sale of the Irene Headband pattern between 07 November and 31 December 2024 (inclusive) will be donated to Mind UK.

The Irene Headband is comfy and fitted headband with a textured-stripe pattern. The headband is constructed using a provisional crochet cast-on and worked to double the desired width. Kitchener stitch is then used to seamlessly join the live stitches to the provisional cast-on stitches. The double thickness of fabric will keep you lovely and cosy!

This pattern is named after my Nana Irene who taught me how to knit as a child and where my knitting journey truly began.

Difficulty
This pattern has a simple construction, with a textured design that looks impressive but is simple to achieve. This pattern would be ideal for a motivated beginner and above.

Sizing
Baby, Toddler, Child (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)
A, B, C, (D, E, F)

Actual Head Measurements:
35, 40, 45, (50, 55, 60) cm / 13.75, 15.75, 17.75, (19.75, 21.75, 23.75) inches

Finished Headband Width Measurements:
30, 34, 40, (44, 50, 56) cm / 11.75, 13.5, 15.75, (17.25, 19.75, 22) inches

Finished Headband Height Measurements:
6, 6, 7, (7, 8, 8) cm / 2.25, 2.25, 2.75, (2.75, 3.25, 3.25) inches

The headband is designed for you to choose and customise a headband size that works for you. I recommend choosing a headband that has 5 cm of negative ease; this will give your cast-on stitch count. It is also important to note that the headband will grow with blocking, washing and wear.

Additionally, you can choose a headband height which works for you; this does not need to be the same as your initial chosen size.

Gauge
20 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) on 4 mm circular needles in stockinette stitch (washed and blocked)

Suggested Yarn
26, 30, 40 (44, 58, 63)g
or 52, 60, 80 (88, 116, 126)m of DK-weight yarn

Sample 1 used Woolly Mammoth Fibre Co. Natural Sock (50% BFL, 50% Cheviot; 100g = 400m) held double, in the shade ‘Spring Bulbs’.

Sample 2 (cover photograph) used Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 100g = 200m), in the shade ‘pumpkin spice’.

Needles
4mm circular needles (40cm/ 16-inch cable)/ US size 6

Notions
1 stitch marker, tape measure.
For the provisional cast-on you will need:
4mm crochet hook or similar size to knitting needles used and a scrap yarn in similar size to working yarn.
For the kitchener stitch you will need:
second set of 4 mm circular needles with 40cm/16-inch cable or similar size to your original knitting needles, and a tapestry needle.