Sweet Nothings Crochet: RAINBOW HEADBAND

Today's really easy crochet Rainbow headband has been made with soft cotton yarn and a must-try project. Oh, and do scroll all the way to the end to see how you can 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

For Indians : The yarn I've used today is similar to our Anchor 4-ply knitting cotton. You could use Anchor , Red ros e , 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.

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.

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

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839058772/ OR

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837764548/

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.

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) There is no stitch count for this headband. We start working with the width we need for the headband, and then work in rows till you get the length or circumference you need.

4) The yarn I have used is multi colored. I was lucky that the start and end colors matched up so beautifully, wasn't I? 😃

5) If using solid yarns but want this effect, divide the number of colors evenly along the length/circumference of your project. So say you're using 3 colors, and want a width of 24", you will work (3 colors x 2 repeats = 6). Divide 24/6 = 4.

This means that you will work 4" per color.

However, as your joint will come between 2 colors, I suggest you allow the join to go under the back of the head and work the scrunch (read to finishing to understand this bit) somewhere along the centre of your project.

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?

Head sizing chart to explain how to calculate sizes

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k

Start Row 1 : with fdc with an odd or uneven number of stitches for the width you want for your project. Turn.

Note : I have worked nearly 6" as that's what my client requested.

In case you find the fdc too hard, please start with as many chain as you need then work the 1st dc in the 3rd chain from hook. Continue working dc in each chain all the way to the end. Ensure that you final width you need.

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

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

From the following row we will work post stitches

Front Post Double Crochet : fpdc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below.

How to work the fpdc : yo, hk into sp between posts of st from row below – going from back of stitch, around st and into the front of the st ; yo, pull yarn through the sps (3 lps on hk), (yo & pull through 2 lps) twice. One fpdc complete

View the video at https://youtu.be/9tL5XiqKi14

Row 3 : dc in the 1st dc ;

(fpdc around the next dc ; dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) till the last dc ;

dc in the last dc. Turn.

Back Post Double Crochet : bpdc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below. Here is an easy video tutorial for the bpdc at https://youtu.be/l9Nt3miOs3s

Row 3 : dc in the 1st dc ;

(bpdc around the next st ; dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) till the last dc ;

dc in the last dc. Turn.

Note : So in this row we're working a dc in each dc and a post stitch around every post stitch.

Row 4 : dc in the 1st dc ;

(fpdc around the next st ; dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) till the last dc ;

dc in the last dc. Turn.

and that's one bit of your pattern done.. how cool, eh?

Rep Rows 3 & 4 till you are one row short of \the length or circumference you need for your headband.

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

Leave a long tail and fasten off.

Finishing Ideas :

Now let's clean up this finished end and add a little pizzazz to the headband, shall we?

First let's scrunch up the headband to create a fan effect.

Along the finished end that you've just sewed, run a row of loose running stitches.

(A running stitch is just passing the stitch in and out of the fabric.)

We are now going to pull this together to scrunch it up. If you pull lightly the headband will nicely scrunch up.

Now all you need to do is work another few rows of running stitches up and down to hold the scrunch in place.

Once we've got this done, let's clean this bit up

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Let's make a small strip that is double the width of your finished headband.

(So in case you have a headband of 3"width, you will work a 6" strip)

Row 1 : Work as many stitches you need in fsc for double the width of your headband. Turn.

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

Row 2 : Work sc in the 1st st and each st till end.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for joining.

Note : If you want a slightly wider strip, rep Row 2.

Attaching the strip to the headband :

1) Place the strip over the joint of the headband and pin neatly.

2) Attach the (short) end of the strip and then continue down the strip (long end around the headband) to secure the strip.

And voila! Your Rainbow headband is done !

How to make this into a beanie? :

Here are some ideas - the easy way is to make a rectangle using the above pattern.

Idea 1 :

The width of the strip will be the circumference of your head and the length will be the length you need from crown to forehead.

This means that for a 22" circumference, you will work as many stitches in odd / uneven number till you get 22" (keeping in mind stretch of your yarn and looseness of your work).

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". Then work the pattern rows and the repeats till you have a finished length of 8.25"

Once you have a rectangle, join the two shorter sides of your rectangle.

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

Ideas 2+ : OR you join me at here for my Reversible Cable Beanie

or here for a messy bun cap

or here for my Around the Post Reversible Beanie

or for this one here

or just come here on Pinterest for all my headwear creations

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