Simple Crochet Headband Free Pattern

Easy project great for beginner crocheters!

By
Amy Solovay
Amy Solovay
Amy Solovay is a needlecraft expert and professional textile designer who designs knitted, printed, and woven fabric for mass production. She shares her lifelong love of needlecrafts by writing tutorials and patterns. Amy has over 20 years of professional textile design and writing experience.
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Updated on 06/25/21
Crocheting

Theodorus Andrew Kansil / EyeEm / Getty Images

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

This headband is a fast, easy crochet project. It is perfect for beginners to the craft since it uses only two crochet stitches: single crochet and chain stitch. Of course, you don't have to be a beginner to enjoy this crochet pattern. It is a great choice for an instant gratification accessory, gift, or stash busting project. Instructions are given for two widths: one narrow and the other a wider, ear warmer-style headband.

Sizing / Finished Measurements

The pattern directions are given for the narrower headband, with changes for the wider size given in parentheses.

Width: 2 (2-3/4) inches

Length / Circumference: 18 inches

The average adult head measures between 21 and 23 inches. Headbands are designed to have negative ease, meaning they measure slightly less than the actual head measurement of the recipient. A good approximation is to make your headband about 4" smaller than the head measurement. Adjustments to this pattern are easy: for a tighter fit, crochet fewer rows and for a looser fit, crochet more rows.

Gauge

14 sts and 13 rows = 4 inches in Moss Stitch

To check your gauge, crochet a couple of inches in the pattern then measure the headband's width. If it is too wide, start over with a smaller hook; if it's too narrow, try a larger hook. If the headband looks like it'll be wearable in the width you have made it, there's no need to start over. Length is the critical dimension, and you will determine that by measuring.

Abbreviations

  • ch = chain
  • ch # = chain # stitch; chain the speccified number of stitches
  • ch-# sp = chain-# space; the space formed by the specified number of chain stitches in the previous row
  • RS = right side; the public side of the work
  • rep = repeat
  • sc = single crochet
  • st = stitch
  • WS = wrong side; the inside of the work
  • [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets as directed

Notes

The headband / ear warmer is worked width-wise back and forth in one long piece, then stitched top to bottom with a yarn or tapestry needle.

In this pattern you'll be crocheting into chain spaces; these are abbreviated as ch-1 sp in the pattern. If you have a hard time finding these—sometimes they seem to disappear—carefully poke your finger at the row of stitches from back to front and find them by touch.

Turning chains are worked at the start of the row they raise, not at the end of the previous row.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • US J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook
  • Yarn or tapestry needle
  • Coilless safety pin or other stitch marker

Materials

  • 30 to 50 yard worsted weight yarn

Instructions

  1. Make Chain Stitches

    Place slip knot on hook; ch 9 (11).

  2. Working Into the Chain

    Place a stitch marker or safety pin in the first ch from your hook.

    Sc in 3rd ch from hook, [ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch] three (four) times, turn—7 (9) sts.

  3. Foundation Row

    Next row: ch 1 (turning chain), [sc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] three (four) times, work sc into marked st, turn—7 (9) sts.

    You can remove the marker before working the stitch.

  4. Begin Moss Stitch

    The rest of the rows are all exactly the same as row 2, with one minor difference: at the end of the row you'll work your last sc st into the turning chain of the previous row.

    All rows: ch 1 (turning chain), [sc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] three (four) times, work sc into marked st, turn.

    Rep this row until the headband measures 20 inches, or desired length.

    Tip

    If you would like to check the fit before you sew the sides of the headband, put a safety pin in your active loop and pin the sides of the headband together. Try it on the intended wearer. If it is too big, you can unravel a few rows; if it is too small, crochet a few rows until it is the length you need.

  5. Finishing

    Cut the yarn leaving a 10 inch tail of yarn. Thread the tail end on a yarn or tapestry needle. With RS together, use the threaded needle to stitch the ends of the headband together on the WS. Weave in your ends. Turn the headband RS out. The headband is now ready to wear and enjoy, or to give as a gift.

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