Thursday, March 14, 2013

Ombré Headband

Since wearing a ponytail makes wearing a fitted skull cap awkward... I decided to make a headband using the same yarns and the same design as my Ombré hat!  (I am shifting the pattern a bit so the middle could be centered in the design.)  This way I can still run outside to take the dog out while still having my head accessory match my fabulous Ombré Mittens.


Like the matching Ombré Mittens Pattern, I designed the charts so that you can easily choose how many colors you want in your headband.  The 3 color version is more "symmetrical" than the 5 color version.  The gradation effect in my 3 color version comes from the fact that I'm using a yarn with long color repeats (KnitPicks Chroma). 


Materials
  • Up to 5 colors of worsted weight yarn, ~59 yards total.  The sample is knit in a three color version with KnitPicks Chroma Worsted (Midwinter - B, 10 g, 20 yards) and Blue (A, 13 g, 23 yards) and Purple (C, 9 g, 16 yards) Berroco Peruvia.  Charts are provided for both a 3 color and 5 color version of the headband.  
  • Size 6 (4.0 mm) circular or double pointed needles.
  • Gauge: 11 sts/2 inches and 11 rows/2 inches over colorwork pattern;
  • Notions: yarn needle to weave in loose ends.
  • Finished size: 18" circumference, 3.75" wide

Chart Color Key - The 3 color version uses colors A-C, and the 5 color version A-E
 


The Ombré Headband Knitting Pattern
  • Cast on 100 stitches on size 6 needles with color A.  Join to knit in the round.  
  • Knit 2 rows of 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2 across the whole row)
  • Begin knitting the chart (either the 3 color or the 5 color version, NOT BOTH), starting at the bottom and following it from right to left.  The pattern is a 4 stitch repeat.
    5 color:3 color:    
  • Knit all 16 rows of the pattern.  
  • Knit 1 round in color A (3 color version) or E (5 color version)
  • Knit 2 rounds of 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2 across the whole row)
  • Bind off K-wise.
  • Weave in loose ends.  
  • Gently block the headband.  
  • Enjoy your hand knit Ombré Headband!  

Why block?  If your headband gently curls in like the picture above, some light blocking will help it lay flat.


Now I have the choice between a full hat OR a headband to go with my mittens!  And there is great use.  With the three colors I started with in this pattern, I made the Ombré Hat, Ombré Mittens AND the Ombré Headband with yarn to spare.   After these three projects, 14 g of Chroma, 25 g of blue Peruvia and 45 g of purple Peruvia remain.  This is certainly enough for another headband!


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Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.K - knit

P - purl
I-cord - knit stitches on dpn's without ever turning the needle (effectively knitting in the round with a small number of stitches.)
SSK - decrease by slipping two stitches then knitting them together. Alternatively, you could slip one stitch, knit one stitch and pass slipped stitch over.
K2tog - decrease by knitting two stitches together.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to sell, distribute or reprint this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2013 ChemKnits