Megan's Headband ~ Free Crochet Pattern ~ Part I

I'll be writing my Megan's Headband pattern in two parts. Today we'll start with Part I

Covering the Headband

For this project you will need:

One fabric covered headband - I prefer fabric covered for this project because it keeps the stitches from sliding. I like to look for ones about 1" wide, but that's just my preference. The width can vary.

Medium weight yarn - I'll be using Lion Brand's Incredible in Rainbow. This pattern is the perfect application for a ribbon yarn, but anything you have on hand is fine. 80 to 85 yards should be more than enough. (It's been a while since I've made my headband so I can't remember exactly how much and the amount will also vary depending on the yarn itself.) It's nice to pick a yarn that compliments or matches the color of your headband because the ends will be left uncovered. Of course this part of the headband is behind the ears, so you don't have to worry too much.

Crochet hook size H(8)/5.00 mm, scissors, needle for sewing in tail ends.

It's time to begin. Click on the individual photos to see a larger image.




Step 1: Begin with a slip knot on the hook (1)
Step 2: Hold the tail end of the yarn against the back of the headband. Hold the working yarn so that it is behind the headband. (2) With your hook in front of the headband, yarn over and pull through the slip knot on your hook. There should be about 1/4" of headband left showing. Make sure this joining stitch is snug and that there is no risk of it slipping off the headband. The yarn has now been joined to the headband. (3)
Step 3: Now it's time to begin single crochet wrapping the headband. To create a single crochet around the headband, move the crochet hook to the back side and yarn over (4), then draw the hook back to the front side, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook (5). The first single crochet has been made.
Step 4: Continue on in this fashion covering the tail end as you go. (6)

*Note - If you are using ribbon like I am, allow the ribbon to overlap so as to completely cover the headband. If you are using yarn, slide your stitches close together to hide the headband.
**Note - Your stitches should be tight enough to hold the yarn securely in place around the headband, but not so tight that you will have trouble working into your single crochets in Part II. It's a good idea to test your single crochets and make sure you can get your hook through them.





Step 5: Once 3 inches of the headband has been covered, trim off any excess tail end (7), continue covering the headband (8)

***Note - This pattern works best with at least 57 single crochet stitches covering the headband. It's fine to have more (my ribbon turns out to 74 sts), but you don't want less. If yours is turning have to have fewer than 57 stitches, you may want to switch to a lighter weight yarn or a smaller crochet hook.

Step 6: When you are 1/4" from the other end of the headband, finish off by cutting your yarn and drawing it through the loop on your hook (9, 10), thread a needle with the remaining tail end and draw through two or three inches on the back side of the headband, trim off excess (11).

The headband has now been completely wrapped and covered (12). View of single crochet edge (13). View of top (14).

Preparing for Part II

It's time to prepare your headband for Part II. I created this Headband Diagram to assist you. In Part II, we will be making the lace. We will be working into 19 stitches on the single crochet wrapped headband.

Lay your headband down in front of you with the single crochet edge facing up. The open end of the headband should be at the top. Now your headband resembles the one in the Headband Diagram.

We will be placing 19 stitch markers, evenly spaced, around the headband. You can use safety pins. I have chosen to use 19 short pieces of pink yarn.



Start by placing stitch markers 1,19 and 10 (15). 1 and 19 should be placed in the second to last stitch on either end of the headband (16). Marker 10 should be centered at the top of the headband (15). You can eyeball your marker placement or count your stitches for a more mathematical approach.

Next fill in stitch markers 2 - 9 and 11 - 18. My headband has 74 single crochets. It worked out perfectly to skip three single crochets between each marker. I didn't plan this by the way, so don't worry if yours doesn't work out exactly. As long as you have 19 stitch markers evenly spaced around your headband, you're going to be just fine (17)!

Okay, that's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with Part II, the instructions for the lace.

Related Posts:
Megan's Headband ~ Free Crochet Pattern Coming!
Megan's Headband ~ Free Crochet Pattern ~ Part II