Colorwork fun with a twist in the Kindra Headband, a colorful headband knitting pattern you will also love to wear! Scroll down for the full free knitting pattern or purchase the ad-free PDF here.
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How to knit a headband
Knit in the round as a seamless tube this headband starts with a provisional cast on. If you’ve never tried a provisional cast-on before, I have a helpful video on my YouTube channel showing you just how to get started.
VIDEO: How to do a Provisional Cast On
Next you knit the colorwork following the chart shown below. Once you knit 4 repeats of the chart it’s smooth sailing stockinette stitch until the end. To finish the headband I like to first block it to really make the colorwork shine. Then the ends are grafted together.
I also have an easy to follow video on how to graft two ends of knitting together.
VIDEO: How to do the Kitchener Stitch
Find a printer-friendly PFD version of the Kindra Headband here in my Etsy shop. The PDF version includes the full ad-free pattern with added instructions on how to knit this headband with just colorwork and no solid section.
Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Kindra Headband Knitting Pattern.
Best yarn for headband knitting
I collaborated with Summer Camp Fibers on the yarn for this project. Their Marshmallow DK is one of my most favorite yarns! I love how Katie the dyer makes her colors pop. Every time I knit with her yarn I get a feeling of fun and joy.
DK weight 3 yarn works great for knitting headbands because it’s warm but not too bulky. Plus this headband is knit as a tube so it is double thick.
Budget friendly yarns for headbands
If hand dyed yarn is not currently in your budget. Below are some of my favorite budget friendly DK weight 3 yarns to use in the headband knitting pattern.
- Knit Picks – Swish DK
- Knit Picks – Hawthorne DK (If you like the speckled look)
- Lion Brand – LB Collection Superwash Merino
- Lion Brand – Mandala (This one would create a fun color changing look!)
How to wear a knit headband
Headband or hat? Which one do you prefer? I like both. Hats are nice for when it’s really cold outside. Headbands are great for being able to wear your hair up in a ponytail or bun while still keeping your ears covered.
This headband has a fun twist in it that you can style either in the front or in the back. I like to put it in the front so there is less bulk near my eyes.
The colorwork can be worn either in the back or in the front or halfway around. You choose.
Check out other FREE headband patterns
Kindra Pattern Series
The Kindra Headband is the first of the Kindra Pattern series to hit the blog. This pattern series also features a Hat, Cowl, and Mittens! The rest of the patterns will be added to the blog over the next few weeks.
Want to be notified when new Kindra Patterns hit the blog? Sign up for my newsletter to get an email notification sent directly to your inbox!
Coming Soon to the Blog!
Kindra Headband – FREE Headband Knitting Pattern
Description:
The Kindra Headband is a sister pattern to the Kindra Cowl, Kindra Hat and Kindra Mittens. This collection was originally inspired by the transition from winter to spring. It begins with traditional Norwegian star colorwork to represent winter and moves into solid stockinette stitch to signify a calm spring.
This headband is knit in the round as a seamless tube that starts with a provisional cast on. A fun twist is added before the ends are grafted together. The colorwork is charted.
Helpful videos for knitting this headband
- How to do the Kitchener Stitch
- How to do a Provisional Cast-on
- Choosing yarn colors for colorwork knitting
- Catching floats in colorwork knitting
Materials:
DK weight 3 yarn in the following yardages
- Color A: 40 yds / 36.5 m
- Color B: 34 yds / 31 m
- Color C: 63 yds / 57.5 m
SUGGESTED YARN
- Summer Camp Fibers – Marshmallow DK
- Knit Picks – Swish DK
- Knit Picks – Hawthorne DK
- Lion Brand – LB Collection Superwash Merino
OTHER TOOLS NEEDED
- Size US 4 (3.5 mm) 32″ / 81.25 cm circular needle for magic loop – or size necessary to obtain gauge. (I use these interchangeable needles for all my knitting and love them!)
- Size US 3 (3.0 mm) 32″ / 81.25 cm circular needle for stockinette section (Recommended if you knit tighter doing colorwork than stockinette)
- Tapestry Needle
- 1 Stitch Marker
- Scissors
- Waste yarn and Crochet Hook for Provisional Cast-on
- The Knit Kit – My FAVORITE knitting tool. I keep one in each project bag!
Finished Measurements:
Approx. 4” / 10.25 cm wide x 20” / 51 cm circumference.
Gauge:
24 sts and 24 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in colorwork chart, blocked.
Glossary:
BOR – Beginning of Round
CC – Contrasting Color
CO – Cast On
k – Knit
MC – Main Color
PM– Place Marker
Rep – Repeat
rnd – Round
st/s – Stitch/es
Kindra Headband Knitting Pattern Directions
HEADBAND
Using waste yarn and a crochet hook, provisionally CO 48 sts. (See video) Next join Color A and K one rnd. PM for BOR and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.
Next Rnd: K
COLORWORK CHART
Begin colorwork chart. (Above)
K rnds 1 – 16, four times total, switching colors as indicated on the chart.
Break color A and Color B. Join color C.
NOTE: If you tend to knit colorwork at a tighter gauge than stockinette (like me), switch to a smaller needle size for the next section in order to keep gauge.
Using Color C – Knit until headband measures 20″ from cast-on.
Move onto Finishing section.
FINISHING
Cut MC leaving approximately 2 ft of tail. This will be used to stitch ends together. Place live sts onto waste yarn. Block headband flat with luke warm water and your favorite wool wash.
HEADBAND TWIST
Once dry, remove provisional cast-on and cast off waste yarns, placing live sts onto separate circular needles for seaming. With headband laying flat from left to right, take the right side and twist it 180 degrees. Graft the ends together for a seamless finish. Refer to notes above for a video tutorial on the Kitchener stitch. Enjoy your new headband!
Now you have a quick and super cute and cozy headband! Check out more of my FREE knitting patterns on the blog HERE.
I would love it if you took a moment to upload your projects to Ravelry or Pin this pattern to Pinterest so you can share it with friends! Also, don’t forget to share your knit headband on Instagram so I can see what you make! Us the hashtag #kindraheadband and tag @whimsynorth
