This Garter Stitch Headband/Ear Warmer is a great project for a newer knitter who wants to learn how to shape knitting without a lot of fuss. The ends of the piece are triangular, but the vast majority of the work is knit straight.
A buttonhole adds additional skill and a chance to personalize the project, which can also be worn as a cowl when you're inside if you like.
Pair this with the matching Garter Stitch Armwarmers for a complete (and warm) look.
Materials:
- about 85 yards of light-weight yarn (I used some Blue-faced Leicester I got at a fiber festival)
- one pair size 6 US (4mm) knitting needles
- a half-inch button (mine is from my stash)
- scissors and yarn needle
- sewing thread and needle for sewing button
Gauge:
20 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches (5 stitches and 9 rows per inch) in Garter Stitch.
Size:
Piece is 4.75 inches wide and about 22 inches long, including the points.
Knitting the Ear Warmer:
- Cast on 3 stitches.
- Knit 1 row.
- Knit 1, knit in the front and back, kfb. 5 sts.
- Knit 1 row.
- K1, kfb, k to 1 st from end, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
- Repeat last 2 rows until you have 25 sts.
- K straight until piece measures about 19 inches.
- K1, knit 2 together, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 23 sts.
- K 1 row.
- Repeat these 2 rows, then work decrease row once again. 19 sts.
- Knit 8, bind off 3, knit to end.
- Work decreases as established, casting on 3 stitches where they were bound off on previous row.
- Continue to decrease every other row until 3 sts remain.
- Bind off.
Finishing:
Weave in ends.
Using a sewing needle and thread, sew your button on the beginning part of the headband, roughly in the center of the triangle.
