Isn't the Spike Stitch such a cool stitch - just changing the lengths of stitches (& yes, using a contrast yarn) we have such a splendid creation. Today, I've used the Spike stitch to make a (wide) headband & just for a twist I added a knot to it. I've also given you an idea on how to make this into a beanie and click here for beanies that I've made with this stitch (& more).
Read all the way to the bottom of this blog to see how you could make this into a beanie
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Materials used : Today I’ve used about 75 gm (in 2 colors) of Anette Eriksson's Jeans yarns with a 4 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue ; embroidery needle International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
For Indians : The yarn I've used today is similar to our Anchor 4-ply knitting cotton. You could use Anchor , Red rose , bamboo yarn , milk cotton yarn or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman acrylic yarns
General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
With a finer or more delicate yarn, you end up with a finer or more delicate end product. The spikes will show but thicker yarns show up better.
Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg
Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :
Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet sp : Space
sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
1) This pattern is worked as a long strip ; the spike stitch is worked only along the front of your project.
2) The length of the strip will be the circumference you need for your project and if you want to add the knot then it's a little more for that bit too.
3) The stitch count is in multiples of 7, but you could just work any length and stop your spike stitch at any time as well.
4) You can make a headband or a beanie using the Spike stitch. Scroll all the way to the end (after Finishing ideas) for how to make this into a beanie using the Spike stitch.
Note 1 : How do I calculate the circumference needed?
Below see the chart (which is from the general head sizing chart link above).
See the size you want to make the beanie for - if its say a Small Adult, the circumference needed is 22". Now depending on the looseness/tension of your work and the stretch of your yarn, make the first fdc row 22" and then join with a sl-st to make this your first round. Got it?
Note 2 : A) First off you need to decide if you want to make that knot or not - this will decide how long this first row strip will be.
If you decide not to make the knot then the length of your strip is the circumference of your forehead (or check the link on top for standard head measurements)
If you decide you want to make the knot then you work till you have the length you need for the circumference of your head, and then add about 4" (So say for a 22" head circumference, our first row needs to be 26")
B) Earlier I've mentioned that the stitch count is in multiples of 7 and that is if you want to follow this video below. If you are an advanced crocheter and want to do a different set of spikes, then work it in multiples of as many spikes as you want in your combination.
C) I worked in multiples of 5 (with sc ; hdc and dc ; hdc ; sc) - but if you are following this video below then you need multiples of 7
If you want to replicate my pattern, please scroll down for Optional ideas. Thanks
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
Start Row 1(Main color : MC): with fsc in multiples of 7 for the length of your headband (keeping in mind the note 1 above). Turn.
In case you find the fsc too hard, please start with as many chain as you need then work the 1st sc in the 2nd chain from hook. Continue working sc in each chain all the way to the end. Ensure that you final length you need.
Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M
Rounds 2 - 5 (Main color : MC): sc in the 1st st and in each st till end. Turn.
In case this video does not come on, please click here
In the following row, we will work our spike stitch - please click on the link above for video
In the following row, we will work our spike stitch - please click on the link above for video
Extended single crochet (e-sc) : https://youtu.be/ZeXQ3NLVjPU
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYoExtended double crochet (e-dc) : https://youtu.be/hf8XIciS8AE
Round 6 (Contrast color : CC): sc in the 1st st ; e-sc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; e-dc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; e-sc in the next st ; sc in the next st ;
(sc in the next st ; e-sc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; e-dc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; e-sc in the next st ; sc in the next st) ;
rep (to) till the end. Turn.
Rounds 7 - 10 (Main color : MC): sc in the 1st st and in each st till end. Turn.
and that's one bit of your pattern done.. how cool, eh?
Rep Rounds 6 to 10 till you have the width you need for your headband, ending with Row 6 (all sc row).
Optional ideas :
As mentioned above, I chose a different set of stitches for my spike. So here's that pattern (but no video for the spike stitch)
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
Start Row 1(Main color : MC): with fsc in multiples of 5 for the length of your headband (keeping in mind the note 1 above). Turn.
In case you find the fsc too hard, please start with as many chain as you need then work the 1st sc in the 2nd chain from hook. Continue working sc in each chain all the way to the end. Ensure that you final length you need.
Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M
Rounds 2 - 4 (Main color : MC): sc in the 1st st and in each st till end. Turn.
In the following row, we will work our spike stitch - please click on the link above for video
Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYoRound 5 (Contrast color : CC): sc in the 1st st ; hdc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; hdc in the next st ; sc in the next st ;
(sc in the next st ; hdc in the next st ; dc in the next st ; hdc in the next st ; sc in the next st) ;
rep (to) till the end. Turn.
Rounds 7 - 9 (Main color : MC): sc in the 1st st and in each st till end. Turn.
Rep Rows 5 - 9 for the width you want for your headband, ending with Row 7 (all sc row)
Finishing Ideas :
There are several ways to end your lovely project - so first figure this out and then I'll tell you how to add that knot
1) Continue the pattern all the way to the end - i.e. to the length you want for your project (which is what I've done) ;
2) Work one row of sc (along top and bottom of headband) and then you could work a round of Crab stitch all around the brim of your project. If you choose to do this, and you're making a headband, then please go back to the first round and work the same pattern that end as well.
Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk
3) Making the knot : Fold your headband in half and place a marker to mark the centre. Make a light knot in the centre. Now measure the length of your strip and ensure it is the length you need (so say 22" was what you wanted, ensure you have 22" now). If you have more than 22" make the knot a bit larger by loosening it. If you have only 21" and need 22", then tighten the knot a bit. In all cases, remember the stretch of the yarn and that headbands will loosen a bit on use.
4) Sewing the ends : Once your knot is in place all that's left is to sew the two ends of your headband. Choose one of the methods given below to neatly sew the ends of your project to create a beautiful knotted headband.
Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI
How to make this into a beanie? : The beanie is just with a spike stitch - there is no knot in it.
First off, check the pattern link given right on the top of this blog - it's slightly different from this idea given below.
If you want a simpler idea, then you will work the pattern in exactly the same way as you would for a headband. The only difference is that you will just work the first row only for the circumference needed. This means that for a 22" circumference, you will work just that much.
Then work the length you need. i.e. : If you are making it for Small Adult, the sizing chart specifies that it needs to be 8.25". So you will start the first round with multiples of 6 in fhdc and work till you have that first round 22". Then work the pattern rounds and the repeats till you have a finished length of 8.25"
You now have a cylinder. Using an embroidery needle, run a round of simple running /basting stitch (which is literally pushing the needle and thread up and down through the top of your beanie) all around the end. It does not matter which end you use as both are the same. I'd advise using 2 skeins (or doubling up your yarn) for strength.
Lightly tug on your yarn as you work around till you close that end of the beanie. Continue working running/basting stitches and tugging on your yarn till you have a perfectly closed circle. Ta Da ! Beanie done !
run a round of simple running /basting stitch
Lightly tug on your yarn as you work around till you close that end of the beanie
Continue working running/basting stitches and tugging on your yarn till you have a perfectly closed circle
Whatever you do, this is a wonderful project.
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I have a few pieces of headwear already made, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go
