Tunisian Knit Stitch Headband: Free Crochet Pattern

Tunisian Knit Stitch Headband to Crochet Using Variegated Yarn: Free Crochet Pattern

A Silly Limerick I Wrote After Making My Headband Project Sample:

For several hours this morning I was sitting

Doing a project resembling knitting.*

Now I have a new headband.

Isn’t it grand?

I think it’s really quite fitting.

* I wrote “resembling knitting” because this headband is crocheted using the Tunisian knit stitch, a stitch that looks like knitted stockinette stitch.

Yarn and Supplies Needed to Crochet This Headband

To make this headband, you’ll need a 6.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook (size J,) two colors of medium weight yarn and a yarn needle or tapestry needle.

In the photo above, you can see two different colorways of this headband. To crochet the headband pictured on top, I used two different colors of variegated yarn.

Tunisian Knit Stitch Headband: Free Crochet Pattern

To crochet the headband pictured below, I used one solid yarn paired with one variegated yarn. You could also crochet this project using two solid yarn colors.

Tunisian Knit Stitch Headband Crocheted With Variegated Yarn: Free Crochet Pattern

If you are inclined to experiment with combining variegated yarns, this is a fun project to try it with.

The ideal yarn for this project will be warm, and will also have some stretch and resilience. Alpaca and wool are fantastic choices, and some acrylics are OK too.

Finished Headband Measurements

The width of my project sample is 2.5″ and the length is about 18″. When the headband is finished, the circumference will be about the same as the finished length; the finishing process doesn’t add much onto the measurement. The length is variable, and depends on the number of rows you crochet. It’s easy to adjust the length measurement, so feel free to make whatever size works best for you.

If you want to adjust the width of the headband, that’s easy as well. Work the first 6+ rows and then measure your work. If the piece is turning out to be a useable size, keep going. For a narrower headband, start over and work fewer chain stitches when you begin. For a wider headband, start over and work more chain stitches.

You could also adjust the size by changing hooks, but I only recommend doing that if your stitches are not turning out well. If they are too tight, grab a larger hook; if they are too loose, try grabbing a smaller hook.

How to Crochet the Headband

Work 9 chain stitches in color #1 to begin. Work the entire headband in Tunisian knit stitch, as follows:

First Row:

Work the forward pass in color #1. When you have finished crocheting the forward pass, drop color #1 and start to use color #2. Note that there is no need to cut your yarn colors when you are changing colors. Work the return in color #2.

Second Row:

Work the forward pass in color #2. When you have finished crocheting the forward pass, drop color #2 and pick up color #1. Work the return in color #1.

These 2 rows form the pattern repeat. Continue alternating between these two rows, repeating them until the headband measures the length you want it to be.

If you used a stretchy yarn, and your piece has some “give” to it, you’ll want to incorporate a few inches worth of negative ease into the project — meaning that you’ll want to make it just a bit smaller than the wearer’s actual head measurement.

Leave an extra long tail of yarn at the end of your project, because you can use it for sewing the seam on the headband.

Finishing Details:

Block the headband to the size you want it. Weave in all ends except the extra long tail you left at the end of the project. Thread this tail onto your needle. Hold the right sides of the headband together with the top and the bottom of the piece aligned; then use your long tail of yarn for whipstitching the seam. After you’ve finished sewing, you can weave in a bit more of the end, then clip off the rest.

Enjoy your new headband! If you make one of these, and you’d like to share pictures, please leave us a comment letting us know how to get in touch with you. I’d love to post pictures of your projects on our website, if you are inclined to share.