If you are as excited as me about the Thistle Stitch, you will love this quick and easy headband pattern. I used acrylic yarn but you may want to try a more natural fibre especially if making this for little ones!
I have adapted the Thistle Stitch to accommodate various headband sizes and also ensure there is enough space for the top twist. The headband is worked in the flat and is stitched together at the end. It is a very easy and quick project, written in US terminology!
The measurements below are based on using a 3.5mm crochet hook and Paintbox DK 100% acrylic yarn. In terms of tension, you should aim for a 2x2inch piece 10 stitches x 10 rows or alternatively make your own swatch and adapt the pattern repeat as needed. If you still need to tweak the sizing, switch your hook size by going a half size smaller or larger.
In the table above, the 14 chains in the last column represent the pattern repeat and the number this is multiplied by. The 11 chains represent the additional chains for making the basic Thistle Stitch pattern. The 1 chain represents your turning chain and the remaining number is the number of additional stitches on the two edges. These are worked in the single crochet. So bear that number in mind when working up your pattern. Below is a visual illustration using the 0-3 months pattern size.
T = thistle stitch, X = decrease, L = securing leaves/loops, F = flower stitch, C = chain. Empty cells represent single crochets. Chain 1 at the end of each row is not included. Check out the dedicated blog post for the Thistle Stitch tutorial.
What you will need:
- A size 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Paintbox DK acrylic yarn, for the headbands in the photos, I used the colours Dusty Lilac (146) & Vintage Pink (155). The amount of yarn depends on size but for the adult you will require around 50 grams
- A pair of scissors
- A darning needle
- Stitch markers (optional)
Pattern instructions:
Chain (CH) as many chains needed for your preferred size.
Row 1: single crochet (SC) into the second chain from hook. Single crochet across the rest of the chains. CH 1 and turn.
Row 2 and until you are happy with the height of the headband: start the Thistle stitch pattern bearing in mind the additional stitches at the beginning and end of your piece. Use stitch markers if needed to remind yourself where the additional stitches are. Check out my detailed blog post and video tutorial here for more information about how to make the Thistle stitch. Repeat the Thistle stitch pattern for as long as you want to get the right height for your headband. I recommend making 3 rows of thistles for the pattern sizes Teen and Adult and 2 rows for the rest.
On the last row of thistle stitches, finish off your flower by making a CH 1 but without starting a new set of thistle stitches. Instead place a single crochet in those stitches.
Last two rows: single crochet across all the stitches. CH 1 at the end of your row. On the last row, bind off.
To finish off your headband, pick up your darning needle and sew the shorter end of the yarn which formed your first chain. Then, put your piece flat on your work surface with the good side facing up. Pick up each of the sides and fold them in the middle so the two edges of the short sides are meeting each other. Bring them together and overlap the folded edges. See photos below.
Using your darning needle again, sew the pieces together following the S shape that the interlocked pieces have created. Sew two sides together each time rather than try to sew all of the sides together at once. This will give your finished piece a neater look. See the photos below for an illustration of how the piece should be sewn together.
Weave in the ends and there you go, your headband is ready for wearing or gifting to a loved one!
Happy Crochet!