Honeycomb Headband

Honeycomb Headband

The story behind this pattern is simple: I got a request for another headband pattern and then basically fell in love with this yarn. And while the headband has lots going for it - it's thick enough to keep your earsies warm! It's not too vertically stretchy! It looks cool! - I am especially pleased with the way it turned out in this particular fiber. The variegation lines up perfectly with the stitch pattern for a very tidy result.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Print (100% Merino Superwash Wool; 114 yards [105 meters]/50 grams); #47008 Roma - one skein

I'm not sure I've ever had a yarn stripe quite this
well before...

Needles: One pair of US 6 needles, one US 7 needle for provisional cast on, and a cable needle (cn) or double pointed needle for cabling

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

So let's make a headband! Using your larger needle, cast on 28 stitches provisionally. Transfer cast on to your size 6 needles. Then, we'll begin our main pattern, which is basically just Aran Honeycomb from page 273 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns and some garter edging, for which we'll need the following notation. Oh, and this pattern is an excellent choice if you're ready to cable without a cable needle as well.

back cross (bc): slip next two stitches to cn and hold in back; k2, k2 from cn

front cross (fc): slip next two stitches to cn and hold in front; k2, k2 from cn

And now that we've got that down, we'll continue like so:

Row 1 (wrong side): k2, p24, k2

Row 2: k2, (bc, fc) 3 times, k2

Row 3: k2, p24, k2

Row 4: knit

Row 5: k2, p24, k2

Row 6: k2, (fc, bc) 3 times, k2

Row 7: k2, p24, k2 

Row 8: knit 

Knit rows 1 - 8 until piece measures roughly 21" - 23" and you've just finished row 7 of the pattern (size tips: you're going to want it at least an inch shorter than your head size, and if you're guessing it's probably better to aim smaller rather than larger). Block flat, if you'd like, and then graft the two ends of the headband together using the Kitchener stitch. Finally, tuck in ends!