Cable Knit Headband

Pattern Overview

Difficulty: Intermediate

Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight (medium)

Estimated Time: 6-8 hours

Finished Size: Approximately 18 inches long x 3.5 inches wide (fits most adult heads)

Yarn Required: 250-300 yards

Yarn: Worsted weight, 250-300 yards. We recommend Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (2 skeins)
Needles: US 6 (4mm) straight or short circular needles
Cable Needle: Any needle approximately 1-2 sizes smaller than your working needles for crossing cables. Or use a Clover Takumi Interchangeable Set (great for swapping cable needles)
Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, 2 stitch markers

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Cable patterns pull tighter than stockinette, so check gauge carefully.

K = Knit

P = Purl

C6F = Cable 6 front

CO = Cast on

BO = Bind off

RS = Right side

Cable 6 Front (C6F): Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 3 stitches from left needle, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle.

Cast-On: Using long-tail cast-on, CO 20 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): P2, K6, P2, K6, P2, K2

Row 2 (WS): K2, P6, K2, P6, K2, P2

Row 3 (RS): P2, C6F, P2, C6F, P2, K2

Row 4 (WS): K2, P6, K2, P6, K2, P2

Row 5 (RS): P2, K6, P2, K6, P2, K2

Row 6 (WS): K2, P6, K2, P6, K2, P2

Row 7 (RS): P2, K6, P2, K6, P2, K2

Row 8 (WS): K2, P6, K2, P6, K2, P2

Rows 9-52: Repeat Rows 1-8 pattern five more times (total 6 cable twists), adjusting final length to approximately 18 inches.

Bind-Off: Bind off all stitches loosely using a needle one size larger if available.

Weave in all ends along the purl column edges for an invisible finish
Block headband by laying flat on a blocking surface and pinning the long edges to straighten
Lightly mist with water and allow to dry completely (2-4 hours)
Seaming (optional): If desired, seam the two short ends together to create a continuous loop. Use mattress stitch for an invisible seam

Loose Cables: Cables naturally pull stitches tighter. If your cables feel very stiff, you may have pulled too tightly when crossing. Try pulling less tension on the stitches after crossing
Cable Needle: If you don't have a cable needle, use a needle slightly smaller than your working needles or even a crochet hook
Cable Direction: C6F (cable 6 front) creates cables that twist right to left. For a reversed cable, use C6B (cable 6 back) by holding stitches to the back instead