Moonlight Buttoned Headband

It's time to learn how to knit a headband that is both practical and fashionable. Keep your hair out of your face in style with the Moonlight Buttoned Headband. You don't have to be a professional knitter to cast on this knitted accessory. With just the basic knit and purl stitches, this is one knit headband that even the most novice of knitters can take on. This easy knit headband pattern also includes the instructions to knit an I-cord and perform a provisional cast on. What could be better than learning valuable knitting skills while creating what's sure to be your newest favorite accessory? The finished Moonlight Buttoned Headband features a beautiful cinched front and buttoned back for a knit that is just as trendy as it is easy to make.

Easy

Knitting Needle Size9 or 5.5 mm, 10 or 6 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch

Materials:

RED HEART® Boutique Midnight® (Art. E786, Available in 2.5 oz (70 g), 153 yd (140 m) balls):1 ball 1937 Moonlight
Susan Bates® Knitting Needles: 5.5mm [US 9] and 6mm [US 10], two 6mm [US 10] double pointed needles (for I-cord).
Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 6 mm [J-10 US] (optional for provisional cast-on)
Yarn needle
Two 1-1/8” (28.5 mm) wooden buttons
Sewing needle
Matching thread

GAUGE: 16 sts = 4” (10cm); 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern on larger needles. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Headband measures 3½” x 23” (9 x 58.5 cm), unbuttoned.

Abbreviations:
k = knit
k2tog = knit next 2 sts together
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
* = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

Special Stitches:
kfb (knit into front and back) = Knit next st but do not remove from needle, knit into back loop of same st and remove from needle.
ssk = Slip next 2 sts, one at a time as if to knit, to right needle, insert point of left needle through front of sts, knit these sts together through back loop.

Special Techniques:
Provisional Cast on = With crochet hook and waste yarn of contrasting color, make 4 chains more than required number of cast on sts. Fasten off loosely through last chain to avoid unraveling. Turn chains so back bars are facing, skipping first 2 chains, *insert needle under chain, wrap working yarn knitwise, pick up a st; repeat from * until number of cast on sts are made. Knit rows as directed. When knitting is completed for first side of headband, carefully unravel the provisional cast-on and place each live stitch onto the needle.
I-Cord = Place sts on double pointed needle, *knit all the sts, do not turn work. Slide all the sts to opposite end of needle. Carry yarn tightly across back of work, and knit all the sts; repeat from * until I-cord is worked to desired rows or length.

Notes:

Headband is worked flat from center out to buttonhole loop ends, then seamed along the back.
Cinching band is worked flat on smaller needles, wrapped around headband at midsection, and tacked in place.
Buttonholes cross at back of headband and loop over buttons. Buttons are worn at nape of neck.

Instructions:
HEADBAND
First Side
With larger needles and optional provisional cast on method, cast on 30 sts.
Row 1 (right side): Knit.
Row 2: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Rows 3–40: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 nineteen times.
Row 41: Knit.
Row 42: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 43: K1, k2tog twice, knit to last 5 sts, ssk twice, k1—26 sts.
Row 44: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 45: Knit.
Rows 46–49: Repeat last 4 rows—22 sts.
Row 50: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 52–57: Repeat last 2 rows 3 more times—6 sts.
Row 58: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 59: Bind off 3 sts, k3—3 sts.

I-Cord Buttonhole Loop
Change to two double pointed needles.
Working over 3 remaining sts, knit 19 rows of I-cord. To finish, leave the sts at the left needle tip, pass the 2nd and 3rd sts over the first st and off the needle. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing, and pull the tail end through the last loop to secure.

Second Side
Carefully unravel waste yarn from provisional cast on and place working sts on larger needle (see Special Techniques).
Repeat Rows 1-59 and I-cord buttonhole loop from first side. Cut yarn, leaving 18” (45.5 cm) tail for sewing.

FINISHING HEADBAND
On first side, sew the end of the I-cord to the 3 bound off sts in Row 59 to complete the buttonhole loop. Repeat on second side, then, with wrong sides facing, hold the edges of the headband together lengthwise and whipstitch.
Weave in ends.

CINCHING BAND
Using smaller needles, cast on 6 sts.
Row 1 (right side): Knit.
Row 2: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Rows 3 and 4: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
Row 5: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1—8 sts.
Row 6: K2, p4, k2.
Rows 7 and 8: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
Row 9: Repeat Row 5—10 sts.
Rows 10-13: Repeat last 2 rows twice—14 sts.
Row 14: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 15: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1—12 sts.
Rows 16 and 17: Repeat last 2 rows—10 sts.
Row 18: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 19: Knit.
Rows 20–23: Repeat Rows 14 and 15 twice—6 sts.
Row 24: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Bind off, leaving long tail.

FINISHING
With yarn needle, gather midsection of headband by weaving length of yarn in and out, pulling tightly, and securing. Wrap the cinching band around the gathered section and sew ends together; tack band in place to underside of headband. Center each button on top side 6” (15 cm) (or at desired distance) from end of each buttonhole loop and sew.
Weave in ends.