Tuesday, December 31, 2013

top braided headband pattern


I have spent my holiday vacation making a bunch of new knit headbands. They are fun, quick, and a great way to practice cabling. As an end of the year treat, I am sharing my pattern for a top braid headband. The wide band in the back keeps your ears nice and warm, while the cute braid in the front pulls the band out of your eyes. I use a super bulky 50% wool, 50% acrylic yarn. (All wool would be too scratchy.)

If you don't feel like knitting your own, you can purchase one knit by yours truly from my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/annaknitsetc!

See pictures of me sporting this headband in spearmint here, here, and here. See me in DC wearing a charcoal version here.

~Top Braided Headband Pattern ~

Yarn: Super Bulky, I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool
Needles: US15
K=knit
P=purl

Cast on 12 stitches
Rounds 1-16: Knit stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next, repeat) starting with a knit row and ending with a purl row (or until you reach about 5 1/2 inches).
Round 17 (or however many rows you needed to reach 5 1/2 inches): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle or double pointed needle and hold in the back, K4 from the left hand needle, K4 from the cable needle or double pointed needle, K4.
Round 18: P
Round 19: K
Round 20: P
Round 21K4, Slip 4 stitches to cable needle or double pointed needle and hold in the front, K4 from the left hand needle, K4 from the cable needle or double pointed needle.
Round 22: P
Round 23: K
Round 24: P
Repeat rounds 17-24. 32 rounds complete.
Repeat rounds 17-21. 37 rounds complete. 
Rounds 38-endKnit stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next, repeat) starting with a purl row until the headband fits tightly around your head (about 14 rows). Remember, the headband will stretch slightly when blocked.
Bind off leaving a tail long enough to sew the back seam.  

Block using your preferred method.

Using mattress stitch, or your preferred method, attach the two ends of the headband together.

Go outside and test your Top Braided Headband! 

See the Ravelry posting here

Friday, December 27, 2013

anna knits - top braided headband






I hope everyone is having a nice holiday week! I was lucky enough to have a few days off of work, and have been busy experimenting with different knit headbands - and hanging out with my parents' pug, Mae. So far, this top braided headband is my favorite. The cable on the front adds a little flair, while the band in the back is wide enough to keep my ears warm in Boston cold wind. I have knit a few up in different colors, which I will share soon. I'm currently having a blocking party to get them all ready!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

knit picks, etc. - 12.18.13

  
 


(gift) Reusable hand-warmer topped with a foxy knit cover. (cookies) Gingersnap love. (winter) These crochet gloves would be fun to make. (nails) DIY nail art. (yum) New ramen in NYC.

Monday, December 16, 2013

holidays, etc. - handmade ornaments

There is still time to make an ornament for yourself or a gift this year! Here are three of my favorite handmade ornaments:

Arne and Carlos' 55 Christmas Balls to Knit:



Crochet Ice Skates - tutorial here:


Mini Santa Hat from the blog Wooly Wormhead:


Do you have a favorite handmade ornament?

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

knit picks, etc. - 12.11.13


 
   

(eat) Marcella Hazan's penne with rosemary and bacon. (christmas) It's crunch time to finish knit ornaments in time for holiday gift giving! (stamp) This stamp would be cute on packages being sent to buyers. (read) Amazing series following a girl living in an NYC shelter. (cookies) I made these cookies this weekend, and they are great for anyone who likes peanut butter desserts - like me!. (knit) Free program to turn images into gridded patterns for knitting. 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

knit picks, etc. - circle time

   
  

(nom) Perfect for a winter weekend. (crochet) You don't often see crochet stockings, but this pattern is quite cute. (art) Artist lets her four-year-old finish her drawings - amazing results. (party) I think this garland would look great in white, black, and gold for New Year's Eve. (diy) Make your own bauble wreath!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

holidays, etc. - thanksgiving 2013

 
  

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love getting together with family to relax, enjoy good food, and - if I'm lucky - find some time to knit. This year I was able to make a few christmas ornaments (more to come!), and another braided knit headband. Did you get a chance to work on any projects?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

nails, etc. - gold spots


With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I wanted to share my trick for adding a little holiday sparkle to any outfit: gold spotted nails! I'm in love with this new gold glitter nail polish from Milani that I picked up at CVS. It reminds me of these - holiday appropriate - gold glitter items from Kate Spade. So cute!

  

Sunday, November 24, 2013

anna knits - cable knit headband pattern


I finished my cable knit headband a few weeks ago, and I am now getting around to posting the pattern. It is a quick knit, and a great way to practice cables. See my progress here and my inspiration here. Enjoy!

~ Cable Knit Headband Pattern ~

I used 2 strands of Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply yarn in Toffee (453) together on a size US8 needle, but you could also use a single stand of worsened weight yarn, or even a thicker yarn for a chunkier headband.

Cast on 18 stitches
Round 1: K6, P6, K6
Round 2: P6, K6, P6
Round 3: K6, P6, K6
Round 4: P6, K6, P6
Round 5: K6, P6, K6 
Round 6: P6, K6, P6
Round 7: K6, P6, K6
Round 8: P6, slip 3 stitches to cable needle or double pointed needle and hold in the back, K3 from the left hand needle, K3 held in back from the cable needle or double pointed needle, P6

Repeat rounds 1-8 until your headband is long enough - you can test it around your head, but know that it will stretch out after it is blocked. My headband took 13 rounds.

Blocking will help to flatten out your headband, although I like a little curl to the edges. 

After blocking, attach the ends with mattress stitch. 

See the Ravelry posting here.

Monday, November 18, 2013

anna knits - braided knit headband

braided knit headband
Last week a reader reached out to me to commission a braided knit headband (thanks Jessica!). I made a few braided headbands last winter, but this was my first of this season. I used two strands of Ella Rae Classic in Silver Heather (104) held together on size US15 needles with this pattern from the blog LuluKnits. I completed ten rounds of the pattern to get the right length - including the 1/2 inch that came when I blocked the headband. Blocking really helped to flatten it as well. 

I hope it helps to keep Jessica warm this winter!

If you have an idea for a custom order, don't hesitate to email me: annaknitsetc@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

knit picks, etc. - last days of fall

   


(mini pumpkin pies) Cute twist on a fall must (yarn) Changing leaves, Thanksgiving golden turkey, and flakey pie crusts are just some of the things this yarn brings to mind (yum) Pumpkin and Apple Cinnamon donuts from NYC's Doughnut Plant (read) Interesting article about Norman Rockwell’s New England

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

anna knits - first snowfall


Today Boston saw its first snowfall of the season. The flakes did not stick, but they were a sign of what is sure to come. It is fitting then that I should today be finishing up a knit snowman ornament from one of my favorite knitting books, 55 Christmas Balls to Knit. I will have more to share soon!

Check out some of the ornaments I made from the book last year:

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

knit picks, etc. - slouchy hats

   

(knit) Free Ravelry download! (braided) This hat looks so cozy (slouchy) Knit bonnet with pompom from Zara  (netted) I'd hope to do a DIY for a netted beanie soon

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

anna knits - cable knit headband update 1


I have to admit I have been very busy this month - and it is only November 5th! - but I wanted to give a sneak peek into my current knitting project: a cable knit headband. It is based off of this french headband I originally saw on the blog you are my fave. I have not knit cables in a while, but it has been fun getting back into it. More to come!

PS: Do you like my doggy knitting needles? They were a gift!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

knit picks, etc. - red sox edition

 
   

(mitts) I love the use of Rowan Felted Tweed DK for these convertible mittens - free pattern on the blog ChemKnits (beard) Transform yourself into a Red Sox player with this knit bearded hat (ornament) Quick and easy to knit up, this mini red sox sock would look adorable on a christmas tree - free pattern on the blog Deborah's Knitting (charts) Hat? Blanket? Gloves? The possibilities are endless with these classic sox charts from the blog ChemKnits 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...