Sweet Nothings Crochet: BRAIDED CROCHET HEADBAND

BRAIDED CROCHET HEADBAND

I was recently gifted this awesome yarn, but just one skein of it. It’s so soft, but thickish and not sufficient for anything but a smallish project.. hence a headband / ear warmer seemed perfect. I recently made a pair of braided headbands, and they were a super hit – so I thought I’d make another similar one. I am gifting this to the lovely young lady who bought me this lovely yarn – so when I told her that, and what I *could* make with it, she asked if I could make her this pattern – something she’s been wanting but has been out of stock. I don’t know how this band has been made, but let’s see how we can get this done.

Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”. Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.

All my blogs can be printed. Find the printer friendly (green) link at the bottom of this blog. You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential. Save paper – Save Our Earth.

Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation.

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon. While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well.

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me. Cheers.

and the inspiration photograph that got all this started

Materials used : Today I’ve used our lovely Indian VardhamanVardhaman Millenium acrylic yarn, with a 4 mm crochet hook

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal 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.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, 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.

Skill level : Easy to Intermediate.

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

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

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

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

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.

What I plan to do here is make three flat strands that I will partly plait up and then I will join the ends of these three plaits.

Let’s start with our flat rectangular pieces first.

a) Decide how thick you need it

b) Measure the head of the intended and then depending on how stretchy your yarn is, work a little more than the head circumference, (as you will lose a little length when you plait up). Check the stretch of your yarn and the tension with which you are working, as all these will factor in the 'length' you achieve. If you have a really stretchy yarn and/or work really loose and light, please work for your head circumference only.

c) Decide if you want to start with fsc or fdc.

d) Decide if you want to use a sc / hdc /dc all through

There are several decisions that you need to take before you pick up your hook. I am going to write the instructions assuming you are starting with the Foundation double crochet and using a double crochet all through.

Please do not feel restricted by this, and go ahead and use the start stitch of your choice.

Right then.. hooks in hand.. on your marks.. ready .. GO

Part 1 : Making the three strips

Start with as many fdc as you will need for the Round head or head circumference, (Please read note above first). Turn.

Row 1 : dc in the 1^st fdc and in each fdc till end. Turn.

Row 2 : dc in the 1^st dc and in each dc till end. Turn.

Once again.. decision time. How thick / wide do you want your headband. Remember that this is just the first strip, and we’re making three of these. So depending on that thickness.. work your repeats.

Rows 3 - 4 : Rep Row 2. Turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Part 2 : Plaiting & joining the three strips

1. Before you start on this portion, hold one of the strips against your head, from the centre back to just past your ear onto your forehead, and mark this point

2. Using an embroidery needle, stitch together two plaits along the longer sides , till this marked point.

3. Then stitch the third plait onto these two plaits till the same marked point.

4. Lightly pin down the strips you’ve just sewn to keep it flat while you work the plait.

5. Lightly plait the three strips - *lightly* as we want only a few plaits and we want the strips to be kept as flat as possible within the plait

6. Pin the three “free” sides down next to one another in preparation to sew them together

7. Sew the three “free sides” like you did for the other end.

Now basically you’re more than halfway done. Here you need to decide if you’re going to stitch your plaited section all the way down, or leave it loose to show as plaits.

You will then neatly join the two ends of your headband / ear warmer and we’re done.

The other idea I can throw out here is that you could opt to add press buttons instead of sewing the ends together. This will work particularly if you have (mis)calculated and have a longer headband than you need J

So assuming you have miscalculated, do not panic. Just add a set of buttons on one flat end, and add press buttons or loops on the other end. If you decide on loops, you will need to work a row of sc along that edge, and then work in loops off that sc row.

AND if you are adding buttons, make them nice and large, so that there is this one feature on the front (the plaits) and then the large buttons along the back! After all, this is what creativity is all about!

And Ta da!! You are done!

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. come back right here for more freebie patterns

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation. Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

OR just my free patterns at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/free-patterns-made-by-me/

Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas

Do follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sweetnothingscrochet/

Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

Do also visit me at http://www.craftsy.com/user/2573073/pattern-store?_ct=cx-buvjdql&_ctp=my-pattern-store,manage

Have a great day and see you soon.

I have a few pieces of headwear already made, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go