Sometimes you just need a simple, no frills headband to use on your run or to pull back your hair to wash your face! This easy elastic crochet headband pattern is the perfect solution!
This pattern gives instructions for crocheting with yarn and elastic thread together, to give your headband extra bounce back. However, if you want to leave out the elastic thread, this easy crochet headband is just as cute!
If you are here today for the 5 Days of Cotton Event, the free PDF promotion for this pattern has ended. However, the free web version is below! Just scroll down. And be sure to visit the event home page to see which other promotion is currently running!
CROCHETING WITH COTTON
Cotton yarn has very unique and beneficial characteristics. If you would like to learn more about cotton yarn and what to make with it, check out my Ultimate Guide to Crocheting With Cotton!
THE ORIGIN OF THIS PATTERN
Before I was a crochet designer, I loved making and selling crochet items at craft fairs. One of the things I loved to make were simple mesh headbands. They were quick and easy and everyone loved them!
However, when I kept a few for myself and used them, I felt like they quickly got stretched out and didn’t really “bounce back” like store bought headbands do. So, I thought, what if I add a strand of elastic?!
So, I found this elastic thread on Amazon and tried working the headband up with the elastic crocheted with the yarn. It was not too difficult and turned out cute.
I have been using mine for a while now, and so far so good. You’ll have to let me know how you like it too!
By the way, if you want to hear more about craft fairs and what to make at them, check out these posts: Best Selling Crochet Items for Craft Shows and 6 Easy Crochet Items to Sell.
THE YARN FOR THIS PATTERN
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
I chose to use Lion Brand Pima Cotton Yarn for this pattern. I had some on hand from a previous project, the Spill the Beans Wash Cloth and loved the colors.
I wanted to use a 100% cotton yarn because cotton does well with repeated washing, is absorbent and breathable. And as far as cottons go, Pima is one of the softest and most durable options. It seemed like the perfect choice for a headband.
If you want to learn more about Pima cotton and how it differs from the other cotton yarns, you might benefit from this article on the Different Kinds of Cotton Yarns.
As far as the elastic thread from Amazon, it worked really well for crocheting and it gives the headband the bounce back I was hoping for. However, it was not as clear as I had wanted. You can see in the pictures that it doesn’t show on the lighter yarn, but you can see it on the darker color. If anyone knows of a more clear option, let me know! But for now, that is just something to take into consideration when choosing your colors.
THE PATTERN
If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, printable pdf version of this elastic crochet headband pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. Otherwise, scroll down for the free version.
Add this elastic crochet headband pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.
Materials:
- 32 Yards Size 4 Yarn (I used Lion Brand Pima Cotton)
- 32 Yards of 1 mm Elastic Bracelet String (I used Paxcoo)
- US H/ 5.0 mm Crochet Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
Gauge:
Use the length measurement of Round 1 to determine if your gauge is correct.
Sizing:
18” circumference (teen/adult small)
Instructions for modifying size included
Stitches Used:
(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(fsc) foundation single crochet
(sc) single crochet
(dc) double crochet
Pattern Notes:
Beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch, unless specified.
I tend to crochet tightly. So be sure to check your gauge and if you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.
The pattern can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of foundation single crochet stitches in the first round. Just be sure the total number of stitches in this round are an even number. This will be the circumference of your headband. The pattern instructions will create an 18” headband which is a teen/ small adult size. Here are approximate measurements for additional sizes:
Adult Small/ Teen: 18”-19”
Adult Medium: 20”-21”
Adult Large/ XLarge: 22”-23”
If you want to customize the size according to a particular head size, just make the headband 2 inches smaller than the measurement of the head circumference.
This pattern calls for using elastic string along with the yarn. However, that is not required. You can work the pattern with just the one strand of yarn if desired. Also note that the elastic string I used did have a white tint, so it may show on darker colors.
Pattern:
You will work the entire pattern with your yarn and elastic string held together:
Round 1: Fsc 66, or to a length of approximately 18”. (Note: To adjust the sizing, simply add or remove more fsc. Just make sure the total number of stitches is an even number.) Join with a sl st to the beginning fsc (be sure your yarn is not twisted). Use the tail at the beginning of the round and a yarn needle to attach the bottom two sides of the round. (66)
If you prefer not to use a foundation stitch, you can chain 67 instead. Place 1 sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (66)
Round 2: Ch 2. Dc in the same stitch. Ch 1. Skip the next stitch. *Dc in the next stitch. Ch 1. Skip the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (66)
Round 3: Ch 3 (Counts as a dc and a chain space). Skip the same stitch. Dc in the chain space. *Ch 1. Skip the dc from the previous round. Dc in the chain space.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the chain 3 at the beginning of the round. (66)
Round 4: Ch 2. Dc in the same chain space. Ch 1. Skip the next stitch. *Dc in the chain space. Ch 1. Skip the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round. (66)
Note: If you would like to increase the width of your headband, you can add repeats of rows 3 and 4 here.
Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and in each stitch around (in the top of each dc and in each chain space). Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round. (66)
Finish off and weave in ends.
MORE FREE COTTON CROCHET PATTERNS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products.
Thank you for the sweet cotton patterns!
So glad you are enjoying them! 🙂