Bandkerchief Knit Headband and Kerchief
By request, this is the knit version of my popular, crochet Bandkerchief pattern. Just like the original, this knit headband and kerchief combination looks like a kerchief, but goes on like a headband! Unlike the crochet version, this one is made in worsted-weight yarn.
With 5 sizes, from baby to adult, the knit Bandkerchief is great for gifting! The pattern includes both written and charted versions of the instructions.
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Yarn Details
Any soft, smooth, worsted-weight yarn will work for this pattern. As this is a summery pattern, I recommend a cotton yarn or a blend with some cotton content.
For the photo sample, I dug into my stash for a skein of Meadow by Willow Yarns. I originally got this yarn for free in a goody bag at a convention. The color is #8 – Leaf.
Choosing Needles
The kerchief section of this knit headband and kerchief pattern is knit flat and can be worked on straight or circular needles.
The headband section is knit in the round. For this section, you’ll need needles for your preferred method of knitting in the round (circular, double-pointed, 2 sets of circular, magic loop, etc).
If you choose circular needles and do not want to use the magic loop method, make sure your needle/cable length is slightly smaller than the circumference of the size you are making. For example, if making the toddler or child sizes, choose a 16″ circular needle.
Unless you can find a shorter set, the baby size is probably best worked using the magic loop method or another method of knitting in the round. For magic loop, use a needle/cable length of 40 inches or more.
Materials:
- Yarn: 25 [35, 45, 55, 65] yds worsted weight, cotton yarn.
- Needles: Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge, in your choice of needle type for knitting in the round (see note below)
- Notions:
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker
- Tapestry needle
Use your preferred method of knitting in the round. Double-pointed, circular, magic loop, or 2 sets of circulars are all fine.
Circular needle/cable length should be slightly smaller than the circumference of the size you are making. If making baby size, you may need to choose one of the other options.
Project Level:
Easy: Basic mesh and ribbing
Sizes:
Baby [Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small, Adult Large]
Stretches to fit 14-16 [16-18, 18-20, 20-22, 22-24] inch head circumference.
Gauge:
16 sts x 25 rows = 4 inches in stockinette after blocking. Gauge is important for a good fit.
Abbreviations used:
- CO = cast on
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit next 2 stitches together
- p = purl
- pm = place marker
- RS = Right Side
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- yo = yarn over
Recommended Resources:
Instructions:
CO 3 sts
Kerchief
Row 1 (RS): K1, [yo, k1] twice. (5 sts)
Row 2: K across.
Row 3: K2, yo, k1, yo, k2. (7 sts)
Row 4: K across.
Row 5: K2, yo, k1, pm, k2, yo, k2. (9 sts)
Note: Slip marker each time you come to it.
Row 6: K across.
Row 7: K2, yo, [k2tog, yo] to marker, k1, yo, [ssk, yo] to last 2 sts, k2. (11 sts)
Row 8: K across.
Row 9: K2, yo, [k2tog, yo] to 1 st before marker, k3, yo, [ssk, yo] to last 2 sts, k2. (13 sts)
Row 10: K across.
[Repeat Rows 7-10] 6 [7, 8, 9, 10] more times. ( 37 [41, 45, 49, 53] sts on last row)
Kerchief Section Chart:
Band
Rnd 1: [K2tog, yo] to marker, remove marker, k1, yo, [ssk, yo] to last 2 sts, k2, CO 7 [9, 11, 13, 15], join to work in the round. (46 [52, 58, 64, 70] sts).
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) around.
[Repeat Rnd 2] 9 [10, 11, 12, 13] times or to desired length.
Bind off using a tubular bind off, or any other stretchy bind off.
Band Section Chart:
Finishing
Weave in ends. Wash and block for best results.
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I hope you enjoy this knit headband and kerchief pattern. A downloadable pdf of this pattern is available on Ravelry for a small fee. The fee for the pdf format offsets the advertising revenue lost when you print or download the pattern rather than viewing it online.
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13 Comments
Pauline Robillard
I think these are great going to make a lot of them
Pia Thadani
Yay! and thanks 🙂
Willempje
Love this. I like to walk with my dog in the morning. But don’t like to fix my hair. This is perfect for my messy hair.
Pia Thadani
yay! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Betty Neff
Hi do you know if this pattern is also crochet. I am not a very proficient knitter.
Pia Thadani
yes, it is a knit version of my crocheted Bandkerchief pattern…. https://stitchesnscraps.com/free-pattern-band-kerchief/
Rochelle
Thank you I have been looking for a pattern just like this one!
Cindy Reynolds
In row 9 directions say to work pattern until one stitch before the marker… what do you do with the one stitch before the marker
Pia Thadani
You knit it it’s the first stitch of the k 3 that comes next in the instructions.
Basically, you do the pattern until you get to 1 stitch before the center. Then you k 3 – the center stitch and one on each side of it. Then you continue with the pattern stitch again to the end. If you take a look at the chart, you will see the 3 knit spaces in the center of the row, and how the marker falls within those 3.
Does that help?
Dani
Should I always be starting and finishing with the knit 2? How many stitches should be in between those?? I have a lot of questions, I’m a beginner knitter 🙁
Pia Thadani
Most of the rows do start and end with k2. The total number of sts is shown at the end of every row where it changes…on the even rows where you’re just knitting across, it’s the same number of stitches as the previous row.
Best advice I can give for a beginning knitter is to go one comma at a time. Each instruction is separated by a comma, so just do the first thing up to the comma, then do the next thing up to the next comma. So like on row 1, you have just cast on 3 sts, so knit the first one. Then the next thing is make a yarn over (which adds a stitch) so do that. then it says knit the next one. Then it says make a yarn over again. Then you knit the last stitch. And now you have a total of 5 sts.
Judi Hoggatt
How does a beginner go from using 2 straight needles to knitting the band in the round. Help please, I love the pattern, but can’t seem to get from here to the finish.
Pia Thadani
Hmm you know what, this is an older pattern and I see that I didn’t specify circular needles like I should have. I will correct that.
To answer your question, there are a couple of options. Ideally, you can knit that first round of the band with a set of circular needles (just use the circular needle to knit the stitches right off the straight needle they’re currently on).
If that’s not a good option for you, you COULD knit the band straight and seam it at the end. Follow the instructions in rnd 1 up to the join, and just don’t join, turn instead to work in rows.
On WS rows, you’d need to work (p1, k1) across, and then on RS rows work (k1, p1) across to maintain the 1/1 ribbing pattern.
When you’re all done, sew the ends of the band together. A mattress stitch would be ideal as it would give you a seamless looking finish on the right side.