Solid Shell Stitch Winter Headband Free Pattern

An original, designed by Sandi Marshall

More of this Feature • Printer-Friendly Page • Summer Headband Pattern     Related Resources • Learn the Solid Shell Stitch • Crocheting in Back Loop • More Free Hat Patterns

Materials
For Two Color Version -
1/2 oz. Color A worsted weight yarn - (Caron One Pound Color 511 Taupe used in example)
1 oz. Color B worsted weight yarn - (Red Heart Color 374 Country Rose used in example)
To Make in One Solid Color -
1 1/2 oz. worsted weight yarn
US Size H crochet hook

Abbreviations
Click on underlined name of stitch to go to the how to for that stitch:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
tr = treble

For a photo explaining working in the back loop only, see this page.

Finished Size:
Width: About 3 3/4 inches wide - The headband width can vary somewhat and look just fine when worn, so don't overly worry about the gauge of the width on this piece.
Length: Finished piece (before sewing ends together) is about 18 inches long (unstretched).

Gauge:
4 sc ribbing rows = 1 inch, 4 sc stitches = 1 inch
3 solid shell stitch rows = 2 inches (measuring from bottom of shell of row 1 to top of shell above it, of row 3)

Pattern Instructions:

Starting Chain: Chain 14.

Note: Alternate colors as follows - two rows color A, then two rows Color B until you reach row 23 (rows 23 - 56 are solid color B). There's no need to fasten off and reattach every two rows - carry unused color strands along edge (loose enough so edge won't buckle). When finishing the piece, you will crochet over these strands with the final single crochet edging row.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, * skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch **, repeat from * to ** once more. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st as ch-3 just made, skip 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 3 dc in last dc. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, 1 sc in last dc. Turn.
Rows 4 - 22: Repeat rows 2 and 3 consecutively.
Row 23: With Color B: Ch 1, sc in first st, hdc in next, dc in next, tr in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, tr in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in last.
Ribbing Rows -
Row 24: With Color B - Ch 1, in back loop only of each stitch: 2 sc in first st, sc in each st across, until 1 st remains, 2 sc in last st.
Rows 25 - 56: With Color B - Ch 1, in back loop only of each stitch: sc in each sc across. End off, leaving a long strand of yarn for sewing the last row to row 1. Before sewing, do the finishing rows.
Finishing Rows: Attach color B to edge of row 1. While doing this finishing row, crochet over the yarn strands that were carried along the side of the work. Ch 1, sc in end of each row, with 2 sc where there is a dc at end of row and 1 sc where there is an sc at end of row. Stop where ribbing rows begin. Slip stitch in end of first ribbing row. End off. Do not crochet in ends of ribbing rows (which would interfere with the stretch of these rows). Reattach yarn on other side of headband and work single crochet edging, in same manner, in ends of row 23 through row 1.
End off.

To custom fit headband to person who will be wearing it: Before sewing last row to row 1, safety pin ends together for a temporary joining, then try headband on head, to test size. Use less or more rows of ribbing as needed. Keep in mind that the ribbing part of the headband will stretch and that you may want a fairly snug fit for warmth.

Sewing together: With large-eye yarn needle and color B yarn, (with right sides together, so wrong side is facing you) sew end of row 1 to last row, catching front loop only (loop nearest you) of last row. When sewing is completed, turn right-side out. How to Sew Crochet Pieces Together

End off. Weave in ends.

Copyright - This Solid Shell Stitch Winter Headband pattern is an original design created by Sandi Marshall. These instructions copyright 2001 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Free for your own personal use only. As per copyright law, if others would like to have the pattern, do not give them copies or scans, but instead, please give them the URL of this page, so that they may come here for themselves. Thank you. Patterns that a designer chooses to place on the Internet as free patterns are protected by the same copyright laws as patterns that are purchased. Copyright Myths Explained

URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/blwsdsband.htm

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