Knitted Cast On Headband

Ever have a little bit of yarn leftover with no idea what to do with it? This band can be used as a headband or necklace. You can even add beads or buttons if you would like!

Now dont let the fact that this tutorial is in the knitting category frighten you! You only need to know how to do a "knit-on cast-on" (The basic cast-on method)


Supplies:
Whatever type of yarn you have
Whatever size circular (at least 32inch) needles you have

Seriously. Thats it. Easiest project ever.



First, cast on as many stitches to desired length. The band increases when you take it off the needle so keep that in mind. My general rule of thumb is that the length increases by 1/2 of the inches. For example, if your cast on is 20 inches, then when you remove it from the needle it will be 30 inches. Here's a formula to make it a little simpler:

[Cast-on length (in)] / 2       +            [Cast-on length (in)]     =      band length (in)


So if you know how long you want your band to be you just do this backwards!


Band length (in)             -           Band length (in) / 3              =       Cast on length (in)       


Does all that make sense? It's a little confusing.


I wanted the final length of my headband/necklace to be 55 inches, so I casted on until I hit 36 inches.

Once you've casted on to the desired length, cut your yarn and slip the first stitch off of the needle.

Bring the tail of the yarn around the front and through the loop of the first stitch.

And pull tight creating a knot.

Slip the entire row off of the needle

Holding one end of the band, use your fingers to stretch out the band to full length.

Tie the two ends together and now you have a fancy headband that doubles as a necklace!

See how happy I am with my new necklace and headband? SO HAPPY.

Braided Wedding Snuggle Blanket

My two lovely friends Ben & Amy got married last weekend and I was so excited because that meant I would be able to knit this beauty again! (And I was excited for them to get hitched!)


I knit this blanket any time I have friends who get married because its the perfect thing for newlyweds to snuggle under!

First of all get the thickest yarn you can find. And the largest needles you have (I used US size 36) You’ll need about 4 or 5 skeins worth (depending on how long you want it. You can always return the yarn or buy more). I used Cascade Magnum, because Cascade is one of my favorite brands and that’s what they have at my yarn store. However it is rather pricey. If you can find something cheaper, all the power to you! (I rationalize it because it is a wedding gift after all)

The color pictured here is 0010 (It had no name. I’m sure. My roommate Zoë looked.)

Also, make sure you wind it. There would be a big mess on my hands if I tried to knit it straight from the skein.

There. Much better.

First cast on 54 stitches (or however many you like really. As long as it’s a multiple of 9)

Rows 1-3: Knit

Row 4 (RS):K3, P3, *K6, P3 repeat from * until 3 stitches remain, K3

Row 5 (and all odd rows): K6, *P6, K3 repeat from * until 6 stitches remain, ending with K6

Row 6 is kind of tricky if you have never cable knit before

First K3, P3, *hold next 2 stitches to front on spare needle (or marker!), K2, knit both held  stitches, K2, P3, repeat from * until 3 stitches remain, K3

(after purling 3) Hold 2 stitches to front.

Knit next 2 stitches (while holding first 2)

Bring held stitches back

Knit both held stitches

Voila!

Row 8 is similar to row 6 but you hold the second set of stitches to the back


K3, P3, *K2, hold next 2 stitches to back on spare needle, K2, knit both held stitches, P3, repeat from * until 3 stitches remain, K3

(after purling 3 and knitting 2) Hold next two stitches to back.

(while holding stitches) knit next two stitches

Knit both held stitches

Voila!

Repeat rows 5-8 until desired length.

Knit three rows and bind off!

Mmmmmm cozy! You will probably cry as you wrap it because you're so sad that it is going to be enjoyed by someone else. Or maybe you just made it for yourself! In that case, Wahoo! You have a snuggly blanket to sleep with tonight!