The Easiest Simple Knit Headband - Love. Life. Yarn.

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Looking for a quick and easy headband or maybe your first knit project? The simple knit headband is a beginner garter stitch pattern.

simple knit headband worn in front of a brick wall

Buy the ad-free PDF of this pattern in my shop here!

Sometimes I just want a simple project to zone out on. I’ve been knitting longer than I have crocheted and I can actually knit without looking (I can’t do that with crochet yet!), so this was a perfect project while I watched some TV with the hubs.

Design Story and Inspiration for the Simple Knit Headband

I have been working on a series to help crocheters learn to knit. We started with the crochet cast on and moved on to the knit stitch.

Now it’s time to put these new skills to use in a simple project! We will be using the garter stitch, which is just rows of knit stitches. This project works just as well for an ear warmer as it does for a headband.

I designed this project to be a great first project for anyone learning to knit. It is made with super bulky yarn and is only 8 stitches wide, so it works up super quickly and allows you to get the hang of knitting.

About the Yarn

For this project, I chose Malabrigo Rasta, which is an amazing super bulky yarn with wonderful tonal shades.

I used this yarn for the Knit Elbow Patch Sweater as well as the crocheted Rasta Mittens. It’s one of my favorites!

If you would like to substitute, any super bulky (size 6) yarn should substitute. I particularly like Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick or their LB Collection Fifty Fifty. I also love Sugar Bush Chill. If you don’t have super bulky yarn and want to make this, try holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together to see if you get gauge.

simple knit headband flat with knitting needles on a white background

Buy the ad-free PDF and knit on the go!

Knitted Headband Pattern Details

This headband is worked flat on two needles and the seaming in the back is done with the mattress stitch.

The video tutorial shows how to cast on with a crochet hook, work the knit stitch, bind off with a crochet hook, and how to seam.

simple knit headband worn with hair covering part of headband

Simple Knit Headband

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (super bulky – 6), 1 skein Sombras

Knitting Needles: US Size 11 (8.00mm) Straight Needles

Notions: Yarn needle/tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge

12 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in garter stitch (knit every row)

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

This pattern is so simple it only uses one stitch!

knit stitch (k)

Finished Size

Approximately 18″ in circumference, will fit an average woman’s head(This stitch is quite stretchy and has a lot of “give”.) 2.5″ wide

Simple Knit Headband Video Tutorial

How to Knit a Headband

Simple Knit Headband Pattern

Cast on 8 sts.

Row 1: knit (8 sts).

Repeat row 1 until piece measures 18″ from beginning.

Bind off. (See video tutorial if you need help.)

Finishing

Use tail to sew seam in back.

Weave in ends.

Common Questions about Knit Headbands

How do you knit a simple headband?

It’s very easy to knit a headband. You can knit one flat with straight needles and a seam in the back or you can use a circular needle or double pointed needles to knit a headband in the round. Either way, headbands are exceptionally easy to make as there is no shaping involved.

How wide should a knitted headband be?

If you are wanting the headband to also be used as an ear warmer, you should make the headband 3-4″ wide. This is a good width for covering the ears without being too wide. If your headband is only for decoration, it can be a bit narrower.

How many stitches should I cast on for a headband?

This will depend upon the gauge of your yarn. For example, if you are getting 3 sts to the inch (like in our pattern), you would need 9 stitches to be 3″ and 12 sts to be 4″ if you are knitting flat on straight needles. If you are working in the round, find your gauge and then figure head circumference. So for this gauge (3 sts per inch), if I wanted a 20″ circumference headband you would need 60 sts.

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That’s it! Today we learned how to knit the Simple Knit Headband. If you are new to knitting, I hope you found this tutorial easy to follow!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this free pattern.

Remember, you can always view all of my free knitting patterns here!

Happy Crocheting!Amanda

Active Time 45 minutes Total Time 45 minutes Difficulty Beginner Estimated Cost Uses scrap yarn

Materials

  • Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (super bulky – 6), 1 skein Sombras, or any yarn that gets gauge

Tools

  • Knitting Needles: US Size 11 (8.00mm) Straight Needles
  • Notions: Yarn needle, scissors

Instructions

    Cast on 8 sts.

    1. Knit (8 sts).
    2. Repeat row 1 until headband measures 18" from beginning.
    3. Bind off

    Finishing

    Use tail to sew seam in back.

    Weave in ends.

Notes

GAUGE

12 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in garter stitch (knit every row)

Be sure to see video tutorial if you need help!

Previous Post: « The Best Free Crochet Baby Hat PatternNext Post: How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Just wanted you to know I am loving the learn to knit, if you crochet articles and tutorials! Thanks for thinking of us, Ronnie B

    • I’m so glad you are enjoying them! I’m having so much fun putting it all together. 🙂

  2. hi. how many stitches would you cast on for a girls size headband .. age 6-7 years old. And do you have headband patterns for girls in your library? I’m a new knitter so would like some guidance. Thanks for your time.

    • Hi! For a girl’s size I would cast on 4 or 6 stitches, depending upon how wide you want it, then work until it is 16″ circumference. 🙂

      • Thanks 😊

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About the Author: Amanda Saladin

Amanda Saladin is a published knitwear and crochet designer, teacher, and founder of Love.Life.Yarn. With more than 350 free patterns and 80 magazine-featured designs, she helps makers read, follow, and design patterns with confidence.

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Here at love. life. yarn. we specialize in creating modern knit & crochet patterns for the whole family. Read More about Amanda here

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