Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Head Bang-er

I designed the HEAD BANG-ER with the 70's in mind. Fads come and go. Head gear never completely goes out of style, just the way we wear them. So hopefully I have come up with a fun way to wear this headgear that will never go out of style. I hope you find this a unique way to keep your bangs under control with my latest design HEAD BANG-ER.


What you'll need will vary slightly depending on which variation of the headband you are going to make. There are 3 different styles/versions to this headband. The size will be determined by who you are making this headband for. Another words, the size of the head.
*The pattern given is the instructions for the standard adult size headband.


What you'll need:
4 US and 9 US straights or circulars, *5 Double pointed needles 4 US (DPN's) If you are doing the pick up stitches on both ends to create a wider tie on. Otherwise 2 Double pointed needles 4 US are needed for simple I-cords.
Yarn used is whichever you choose that will suit your taste. Gauge is not really an issue with this pattern.
*I used Comfort yarn for the MC and Fjord yarn for the CC.
Darning needle
*Elastic "ouch less" bands. These are needed for method #2
*T-pins or straight pins for seaming.
Here's How:
With US 4 and Contrasting Color (CC)
Cast on 7 stitches. (Making sure to leave a long enough tail for seaming your headband)

  1. Knit
  2. Knit
  3. Knit
  4. Knit
Change to US 9 needles and Main Color (MC) *DO NOT CUT THE CC YARN. You are going to run the yarn not in use up the RS edge throughout the pattern. Making sure to twist color not in use over the color in use.
       5. Knit into f,b&f of every stitch. (21 sts.)
       6. *P1, k3 rep from * ending with p1.
       7. *K1, p3 rep from * ending with k1.
       8-12 Repeat rows 6 and 7, ending on WS row.
 Change back to US 4 and CC.
       13. K3tog to end. (7 sts.)
       14-16 Knit
Repeat rows 5-16 another 4 times more, or until desired length. On the last repeat, make sure to knit 4 rows as in rows 1-4 in the beginning. Bind off.

Blocking can be done simply by spraying your headband with a water bottle or using a damp towel and placing it over the headband.
 Seaming is an option.
I have 3 different variations for this headband:

  1. Leaving it open without seaming the headband together horizontally. If you are going to use this method, you are then going to pick up stitches at both ends to make your I-cord ties. With 2 DPN's and CC pick up 3 sts. evenly on both ends of headband. Work i-cord until you achieve the desired length, that would be the length long enough to tie your headband together in the back.
  2. Seaming it together horizontally. With your large rubber (ouch less) band, lay it inside the headband horizontally and pin the CO and BO ends together. Now with the MC yarn seam the headband together making sure not to catch the rubber band when sewing. Sew in any loose ends and your done.
  3. Seaming your headband together as if you knit it in the round. If you do this method, make sure you have made it large enough to join and still fit your head.

  Pattern Tester
I'd like to thank Tracey McDowell for her professionalism in test knitting the Head Bang-er pattern. Her skills as a test knitter are second to none.