Formula for Baby Headbands The average newborn head circumference is 14". Use this measurement or measure the head of intended recipient.
Formula: make a 1 x 1 ribbed band that is a bit smaller than the head circumference when relaxed, but expands a bit beyond this measurement when stretched. Make a small gauge sample in 1 x 1 rib to see what works with the yarn you are using and your personal knitting tension. Cast on enough stitches for an approximately 4"’ wide sample; work approximately 2” and bind off; measure number of stitches per 2’” relaxed; measure how far number of stitches per 2’”’ expands when stretched; calculate an even number of stitches that will give you your desired head circumference. (Relaxed, the band should be slightly smaller than this circumference; expanded it should stretch a bit beyond this circumference.) I used Deborah Norville Collection Serenity Garden Yarn (Premier Yarns) in the Mountain Heather colorway. This is a very soft variegated sock weight (fingering/2 fine weight) Dralon (acrylic) microfiber yarn. US 3 straight needles 1 x 1 rib: Row 1 (and all odd rows) \* K, P, repeat from \* to end Row 2 (and all even rows) \* P, K, repeat from \* to end Flower Band (for 14” head circumference): Cast on 72 stitches using a crocheted cast on; start at the beginning of a pink passage in the yarn for a pink, white, pink sequence in your knitting. ?Work in 1 x 1 rib until the work measures 1'" wide. Bind off loosely in pattern, trying to achieve the same tension as cast on so both edges are equally stretchy. Abut the short edges of the band and stitch together to form a ring. Knit or crochet two flowers and stitch them to the band over the seam. I used one seven-petal and one eight-petal buttercup from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers. Faux Bow Band (for 14” head circumference): · Cast on 90 stitched and knit in 1 x 1 rib until the work measures 1 %2" wide. ?Bind off with same tension as cast on. Stitch a line of running stitches across each short end of the band; pull up and gather in the ends of the band, then fold a small loop in each end to represent 1/2 of a bow; secure the gathered end to the adjacent portion of the band when it is folded; gather in this portion of the band and secure. Abut the gathered short ends of the band and stitch together to form a ring that appears to be tied with a bow. For Moon and baby Kayla January 2013 Faux Bow Band Copyright @ 2013 Kathleen Kiefer materialculturecons @ gmail.com
