Wildflower Headband
We are welcoming warmer days at Loop and that means some summer projects (and also yarns!) to suit the season. When the new Wildflower from Knit Collage arrived we knew it would be perfect for a quick and light project, so without further ado we introduce our latest free pattern – the Wildflower Headband.
Plus we are giving one lucky winner the chance to win a skein of the beautiful Knit Collage yarn that is used in this pattern! Read to the end of the post to find out how to enter!
(This competition is now closed, Hurrah for Sue Wills who chose the Scarlet Begonia!)
With a pretty twist detail and simple ties at the back to keep your headband in place, it is perfect for keeping your hair off your face when enjoying windy days at the beach. You can chose the buttercup yellow shade of ‘Golden Rod’ shown in the photo above, or the spicy warm red of ‘Scarlet Begonia’. The beautiful colours of this hand printed fabric yarn by Knit Collage bring some sunshine to every day!
Knit Collage, run by Amy Small, focuses on beautiful hand spun yarns. Taking inspiration from her travels, the colours and textures become unique yarns that create special skeins. You may remember our post about Knit Collage and their Gypsy Garden and Rolling Stone yarn – plus there is a free pattern for that yarn too, so why not have a read after?
Wildflower, Knit Collage’s new Spring 2014 addition, is handspun from lightweight cotton voile fabric. Sourced from an area of Jaipur, India, the beautiful floral design is block printed onto fabric using traditional techniques and then cut into strips and spun round a core of a single strand of yarn. This gives Wildflower a little more structure and stitch definition than what you may have experienced with some ribbon yarns.
Why not use Wildflower in other ribbon yarn patterns like the Mac and Me Fabric Trimmed Blanket? The chunky texture of the soft cotton is lovely for little fingers to grab hold of.
One skein is enough to make one headband with a little bit left over. We can see the left overs being used to wrap presents, threaded through the yarn over eyelets of a shawl or wrap and crocheted into little embellishments for other projects. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
This giveaway is now closed, but keep your eye out for more in the future! You would like a chance of winning one of these gorgeous skeins, just comment below letting us know whether you would prefer ‘Scarlet Begonia’ or ‘Golden Rod’. The competion will close at midnight on Wednesday 16th July. Good Luck!
So enjoy the sunshine and Happy Knitting!
WILDFLOWER HEADBAND PATTERN
SIZE
Main Band: 6 x 47cm (2¼ x 18½in)
Ties: 20cm (8in) long – alter the length of the ties to adjust the fit
MATERIALS
Yarn: Knit Collage Wild Flower (Super bulky weight; 100% Cotton Printed Fabric, approx. 32-36 metres / 35-40 yards per 100g skein)
Shade: Golden Rod x 1 skein
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
7mm (UK 2/US 10½-11) knitting needles
7mm (UK 2/US 10½-11) crochet hook (optional for ties)
Cable needle or double-pointed needle in a similar size to working needle
Tapestry needle
TENSION
12 sts and 12 rows to 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch on 7mm needles
Note: Exact tension is not crucial for this project. You are aiming for a dense fabric, but not too stiff.
ABBREVIATIONS
cm :Â Centimetres
in :Â Inch(es)
k :Â Knit
RS :Â Right side
st(s) :Â Stitch(es)
St st :Â Stocking stitch (US: Stockinette); Knit on RS rows, Purl on WS rows
WS :Â Wrong Side
PATTERN NOTES
For neat edges down the side of the band and twist section, slip the first stitch of every row as follows: RS knit rows; Slip knitwise with yarn in back. WS purl rows; Slip purlwise with yarn in front.
For the ties, you can either leave long cast on and cast off tails (approx. 30cm/12in) or work a single crochet chain afterwards. If making a crochet tie you only need to leave a cast on/off tail long enough for weaving in.
PATTERN BEGINS
Please read all pattern notes before starting!
Main Band
Cast on 8 sts.
Starting with a RS knit row, work St st for 20cm (8in) ending with a WS row.
Centre Twist
Next row (RS): K4, slip next 4 sts to cable needle and leave to rest.
Continue on the 4 sts on the knitting needle, starting with a WS purl row, work 5 rows in St st ending with a WS row. Break yarn leaving a tail for weaving in later and place these sts onto the cable needle.
With RS facing, slip the 4 unworked sts back to knitting needle. Starting with a RS knit row, work 6 rows in St st ending with a WS row. Turn work so RS is facing.
Next row (RS): K4, bring the cable needle holding the other set of 4 sts over and in front of the working needle (so the two strips cross over) and knit the 4 sts from the cable needle. 8 sts back on working needle
Staring with a WS purl row, work St st for 20cm (8in) ending with a WS row.
Cast off leaving a long tail for the ties.
TIES
Multiple choice time…
You can either use the cast on and cast off tails as they are or add one more tie at each end to give a total of 4 or add thicker crochet ties as follows:
Using the crochet hook, work single chain to make 2 or 4 separate 20cm (8in) lengths. Attach them to each corner of the main band using the tapestry needle.
Weave in all loose ends and gently steam block.
Ta-da!
Thank you to:
Sophie Scott for the design, Rachel Atkinson for the tech edit and Juju Vail for the images.
—
Wildflower Headband is a free pattern. All images and text are copyright of Loop Knitting Ltd. It is for personal and non-profit use only. This means you can knit it for yourself, as a gift or for charity. You may not sell a garment made from this pattern. You may not reproduce this for sale. Please ask if you wish to translate it or use to teach a class.Â
Ooh, how lovely! I can so see my step-mum wearing one of these. She has the most gorgeous curly hair. Scarlet Begonia please. :-)
Colorful and very unique. I like the scarlet.
That is such a wonderful idea for summer. I would love the scarlet begonia. Thanks!
Scarlet Begonia, please :)
Beautiful beautiful – great idea. Both colourways scrumptious so would be delighted with either…
Very cool, and something fun for summer. Yellow being my favorite color, that is what I would choose. Going to see if I can find some around here either way. Thanks for the pattern.
Ooh, Scarlet Begonia would be glorious! Thanks for the lovely pattern!
Scarlet Begonia is beautiful. Great idea for summer. Thank you
What a fabulous yarn would love to knit a headband, I have just started playing tennis again after a short absence of 30years or so. It would be perfect for keeping my hair out of my eyes, Golden Rod for me please.
Scarlet Begonia
I love the scarlet begonia, can’t wait to try out this pattern.
beautiful!
The scarlet begonia would be ideal
thank you :)
I adore the headband, very cute. I would love to win the yarn in the scarlet begonia. Thank you for offering it. :-)
I don’t always like the look of headbands, but this was really nice. Especially the combination if this pattern and the golden rod colour way.
Wow these are lovely Golden Rod for me pretty please.xx
Ohh I can just imagine wearing the scarlet begonia with a slightly smudged pin-up makeup!
So pretty and such a great pattern. I love them both but Golden Rod is such a lovely yellow.
Ooh, the gorgeous Scarlet Begonia please! Perfect for lazing in the park and my Caribbean weeks by the sea :-) how lovely!
The golden rod is absolutely beautiful, the yellow just shouts summer to me!
What a wonderful idea for using fabric as yarn and a great pattern – Scarlet Begonia for me if I am lucky enough to win the yarn, thank you!
The scarlet would be amazing with my daughters hair colour. Can’t wait to try the pattern!
Ooh, I love scarlet begonia – gorgeous colour!
I love both colours cant wait to make one of these, or if I am lucky to win one.Thank you
Either would be beautiful to brighten up our grey summer. They would both go well with denim too.
I would choose Goldenrod, perfect with a golden summer tan!
Begonia be lovely. Mind you, either are fab
Lovely yarn – I ‘d love the Scarlet Begonia.
Thank you.
Stunning – Scarlet Begonia please x
I would love to knit the Golden Rod colour way. New yarns coming out all the time and just getting better !
Such gorgeous colors!!! I’d definitely love the goldenrod!
Scarlet begonia would be my choice for this pattern.
Scarlet Begonia. Now I’m singing the Grateful Dead song by that name.
Scarlet would be just right for trimming a stone blue cowl I’m knitting.
Oh the Golden Rod is so cheerful. I would love to have a go knitting with that
Gorgeous. That would look wonderful on my daughter. Would be a lovely Summer project for me. Both colours pretty but think Scarlet Begonia has the edge.
What harm yarn! I am quite drawn to Scarlet Begonia, myself. Love it!
Charming, I meant charming. New keyboard needed….
Ohh love it lots of possibilities..golden rod would be my choice beautiful summer colour!
Golden rod! That is such fun yarn!
Totally fab yarn! The headband would look great worn with a vintage-style tea dress! I’d love the Golden Rod, please.
This fabric yarn looks amazing! I would love to win the Golden Rod because it is so sunny and summery! :)
Who could decide they are both so beautiful. I can’t wait to try this pattern.
What lovely yarn, is there a possibility of any more colours in the future?
Either colour would be gladly received…….
Amazing gift to make for someone very very special. I would love the Scarlet Begonia.
Thanks for the pattern! The Scarlet Begonia is gorgeous! What a unique and festive yarn! I love it!!
I love the depth and softness of Scarlet Begonia; the uplifting yellow of Golden Rod – with its beautiful scattering of vibrant complementary colours – is my ultimate choice, for wearing in Sri Lanka (near Jaipur!) on summer visits.
What yummy yarn, stunning, Scarlett begonis please.
Really, really pretty!
GOLDENROD! LOVE this “yarn”- love the idea of the summer headband- would be cute to use leftovers for strap ties on a simple chambray dress for summer, too!
I love this! I’d like the Scarlet Begonia.
What a delightful pattern for a really pretty yarn. Just what I need to make to keep my unruly mop in order!
Both colours are beautiful but prefer the Scarlet Begonia for my hair colour… but happy with either!
Absolutely beautiful colours. Would love the Scarlet Begonia x
Ohh this pattern and yarn rock!! Lovely lovely lovely
What a fabulous yarn idea. Takes me back to Rajasthan immediately and makes me think of all sorts of creative projects.
A Scarlet Begonia headband would be just right to keep my hair back and show off my hearing aid bling!
Both colours are pretty but… Golden Rod!
Another gorgeous yarn from Loop – I love the Goldenrod colour and would knit the headband pattern with it. Good luck everyone!
Seeing me in a Scarlet Begonia headband iwould certainly make my grandchildren smile
Scarlet Begonia would be awesome for a new rock climbing headband.
Oh….I love the idea of combining fabric into knitting!! I am a quilter and a knitter! What a fun project! I have very curly hair that this would be perfect for! I love the scarlet begonia color!
Currently on hols in windy Provence and could really do with the beautiful headband now! I would choose to make my first one in Scarlet Begonia. All my girls would like one too so I’m going to get busy when I get back home. Merci beaucoup you lovely Loopies!
Scarlet Begonia is stunning – just what I need for summer hair days!
I’m another quilter and knitter, so this yarn just thrills me! Gorgeous, gorgeous! I think I’d go for Golden Rod. What a super pattern! Thank you!
lovely! i’m a weaver too, so these skeins would make some interesting bags or mats!
oops went to quickly. golden rod is my choice.
Scarlet Begonia please! ;-)
Love, love, love this yarn! Scarlet begonia for me please.
Love this unusual yarn, The golden rod colour-way and the free pattern are both perfect for summer!
Ooh! Love the scarlet begonia. My hair is too short for a headband but I’d love to make one for my daughter
Interesting yarn. Scarlet begonia is my favourite!
Gosh how beautiful. Scarlet begonia is my choice please
Scarlet Begonia – hope I’m lucky!
Love this yarn!
Ooh, the golden rod is quite lovely!
Goldenrod is just beautiful. What a fun project it would be!
Ohhh, I would love the Goldenrod!! Such a cute pattern too! Thank you!!
Love it – golden rod for me! – lovely for the summer, i saw this when i was in Loop & asked what i cold make, didn’t buy any as no patterns. Love the hair band
Hi !
Pick me pick me pick me for Scarlet begonia. It’s gorgeous ! Thanks.
Love this yarn and the pattern. Love both colours but if I had to chose, it would be Scarlet begonia. Would love to win.
Scarlet begonia please -I would love to knit this for my youngest son’s girlfriend with her beautiful flowing blond locks!
I love them both but I think I’d go for the scarlet begonia and I’d knit a headband for my beautiful 3 year old daughter. The red would look great with her blonde her. And I’d keep her hair out of her face!
I would love the golden rod design as my nanny used to have plants named this all along the side of her front garden path..all looks fantastic, can’t wait to get some.
would love golden rod design as my nanny used to have plants named this all down on side if her front garden path. all colours will be fab though.
Scarlet begonia would be my choice for this exciting yarn
Sitting in the shade 37degrees in Cyprus:can’t wait to get home and knit this super head band:)
Scarlet begonia please :) so clever to tie the ribbon around a single strand of yarn!
I think Golden Rod as I have dark hair!
Scarlet Begonia would be my choice … but it was a hard choice to make.
Those are gorgeous! Golden Rod would be my preference.
Knit Collage is always so creative with their beautiful and unique yarns! I would love either colour but I think the Scarlet Begonia has stolen my heart!
Delightful, a sunny Golden Rod for me if I’m lucky
The Golden Rod is so cheery, thanks for this opportunity
Great imaginative project and I love the Scarlett begonia
Love this yarn so much I’ll purchase Golden Rod and hope that I win Scarlet Begonia.
Golden rod please, I’ve ordered the other colour.
How could I choose!..
Scarlet begonia would be lovely :)
So so lovely. Love the colours of Golden Rod, please.x
I love the Scarlet Begonia :)
Gorgeous. I’d be happy with either colour, they’re both lovely.
Scarlet begonia – it’s gorgeous!
Oh, they are both so so so lovely! I’d be lucky to win either one! Thanks for the chance!
Scarlet Begonia for summer please!
lovely! it’s a really nice pattern for summer! I love the golden rod! :)