Today's Shelled headband is a very cute and fast little project. I've made this with has been made with soft acrylic yarn and it's 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 50 gm Vardhaman Knit-o-Knit yarn 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
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.
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?
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
Get the full pattern here
What did I do differently?
Start Row 1 : with fsc with multiples of 4 + 2 the width you want for your headband. Turn.
Note : I have worked about 4.5" as that's what my client requested.
In case you find the fsc too hard, please start with chain as the designer has.
I also work my first stitch as a chainless double crochet which I think is a neat start.
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
IDEA 2 :
Instead of working the fsc chain for the width of your headband, you could work it for the length - which is the circumference of you head. Remember to take account of the stretch of your yarn as well as the tension with which you work, when working this way though. The yarn stretches a bit and I'd suggest you work a little less than the circumference and allow the stretch to make up for the rest.
HOW TO MAKE THIS PATTERN INTO A HEADBAND ?
So the with Idea 1 : the width of your headband is the number of stitches you start with and then you work the pattern for the length or circumference of your head.
With Idea 2 : your start row is the length or circumference of your head and then you work it for as wide as you want your headband.
Either way, you get a rectangle. Once you are happy with the length/circumference and width, you join the two ends, using one of the joining methods given below.
Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dIFinishing Ideas :
With my project today, I've just started along the width first and then worked the length / circumference of the head to finish.
I did not do anything else, but here's other ideas that I've worked for other headbands that could entice you to create something unique.
You could scrunch up the headband to create a fan effect. I've done this with another headband and it looks fabulous. The full project for this Rainbow headband below is here and loads of other headwear patterns are here
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_MRow 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.
HOW TO MAKE THIS SHELLED HEADBAND INTO A BEANIE? :
Here are some ideas - the easy way is to make a rectangle using the above pattern.
Idea 1 :
Exactly as you worked with the headband, we will once again create a rectangle.
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
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
