A quick and cute garter stitch project
Some of you will have noticed that I’ve recently started a YouTube channel. One reason for that is I want to introduce more people to knitting and to make beginner knitting projects fun and achievable. No more boring garter stitch scarves that nobody ever finishes! I’m pretty excited to share this new beginner knitting tutorial for you today. I call her Felicity and she’s a garter stitch headband, and she is the perfect first knitting project.
Even if you’re a beginner knitter, you’ll be able to start and finish this headband in an evening. Take a look at the video tutorial above, and keep reading below for the written pattern (there’s a link to a PDF below too).
If you like this headband, you might be interested in these posts on beginner knitting project ideas:
- Garter Be Kidding Me bow headband
- The Mau garter stitch baby hat
- Five things to make from your garter stitch squares
- Colour Cube and Balls educational toy
Felicity – The Pattern
Download the PDF here: Felicity garter stitch headband
Yarn: Approx 25g of 4 Seasons Marvel Soft 8ply
Needles: 4mm straight needles
Tension: 22 sts x 30 rows = 10cm2 (but tension is not crucial for this project)
Notions: Craft scissors, tapestry needle, tape measure, calculator.
Determine Headband Length
Measure the head circumference of the intended wearer. Make sure to measure around where you intend the headband to sit. If you don’t have a specific head to measure, you can find a guide to head sizing here.
Record the circumference here: ________
Multiply this number by 0.8. Record that number here: _______
This second number is going to be the length of your headband.
Headband
Cast on 15 sts, leaving a tail at least 30cm long. Work in garter stitch until the piece is the length you calculated earlier (head circumference x 0.8). Cast off all stitches. Cut a tail that is 3 metres long. Secure this long tail in a butterfly/small centre-pull ball.
Using the tail from the cast on, sew the cast on and cast off edges together using whip stitch and weave in end.
Form a gather at the seam like a paper fan (see image below as an example).
Holding the seam in this gather with one hand, wind the long tail from the cast on around the seam multiple times until this wrap is as wide and as thick as desired. Fasten off and weave in this end.
Steam block if desired.
