CABLE KNIT HEADBAND

These cable knit headbands are my latest addiction. I have first seen them in a book and knitted one for myself. Then forgot all about it and gave the book back to the library without copying the diagram. Then my cousin and a couple of friends loved my headband and asked me to make one for them each. Only then I remembered I didn't have the diagram anymore.

So I took the prototype, checked it for hours (literally, I'm not much of a knitting guru) and came up with more or less a similar pattern, all by myself (cheers!). 

Cable knit may seem difficult at first glance but once you get a grip, it goes on smoothly and you don't even have to check the diagram anymore. But if you are a beginner level knitter, you may just want to practice with some left over yarn first and then move on to the real thing!

So, first cast on 28 stitches and rib stitch the first row (1 knit, 1 purl, .... and so on). Then, repeat the following diagram until the headband reaches the desired length (~50-52 cm). By the way, I almost always slip the first stitch of each row to have a neater edge. 

Cable knit headband diagram

Well, I'm sure experienced knitters will grasp it at a glance but for those inexperienced ones just like myself: Odd numbered rows (1 ,3 ,5 ,7) are on the front; and even numbered ones (2, 4, 6, 8) are on the back side. So, when you're knitting the front, you should go from right-to-left; and when knitting the back, from left-to-right.

Once you reach the desired length, cast off by knitting two stitches together and always transfering that knitted stitch to the left needle...

And sew the two ends together by using the tail with a yarn needle. You may finish your headband at this point; but if you want a fancier one, you can gather the seam to resemble a bow.

If you want even a fancier one, you can cast on another 15 stitches and make a rib stitched (1 knit-1 purl...) piece to cover the bow area and decorate it with a cute button. And wrap this piece around the headband.

So you have 3 alternatives for a headband from a very plain one (if you call cable knit plain!) to a very fancy one. You can finish it in front of the TV in a couple of nights and show off with it! But I must warn you: Be prepared for some requests from family and friends :o)