This cable knit ear warmer pattern is a simple textured accessory for knitters looking through free headband knitting patterns for something warm, practical, and easy to wear with a messy bun. The Asa Headband uses the same classic cable panels as the Asa Beanie, giving you a matching look without needing to knit a full hat.
The Asa Headband is worked in the round with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and size 8 circular needles. It includes instructions for child through adult sizes, so you can make one for yourself, your kids, or a few people on your gift list. This cable knit ear warmer pattern is a helpful choice when the weather is cool enough for extra coverage around your ears but not cold enough to need a full beanie.
The cable repeat adds a little more interest than plain ribbing while still feeling manageable once you get into the rhythm of the pattern. Since the headband is knit in the round, there is no seam to sew at the end.
It is a nice project for school mornings, walks outside, ponytails, messy buns, or days when you want to keep your hair up but still need a little warmth. The finished headband sits comfortably around the ears while leaving the top of your head uncovered.
What Materials Do You Need for This Cable Knit Ear Warmer Pattern?
This cable knit ear warmer pattern is made with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, a worsted weight wool yarn that gives the cables clear stitch definition and enough warmth for cooler weather. The smooth plies help the cable crossings stand out, so the texture shows up nicely across the front of the headband.
You will also need size 8 circular knitting needles, a cable needle, stitch markers, and a tapestry needle for weaving in your ends. A shorter circular needle works well for the smaller child sizes, while a longer cable can be comfortable for adult sizes.
Wool of the Andes is a dependable choice for this pattern because it has enough structure to hold the cable panels in place without making the fabric feel stiff. It also comes in plenty of colors, so you can make a neutral everyday headband or choose a brighter shade for a handmade gift.
The pattern uses simple ribbing along the edges to help the headband stay comfortably in place. Between the ribbed sections, the cable panels create the same raised texture used in the Asa Beanie.
Because this project does not need crown shaping, it is a quicker way to enjoy the Asa cable pattern. You can work the repeat, bind off, and have a finished accessory ready to wear without decreasing toward the top of a hat.
How Is the Asa Cable Headband Knit?
The Asa Headband is knit in the round from the bottom edge to the top edge. You will begin with ribbing, work the cable panels through the center section, and finish with another section of ribbing before binding off.
The cable rows use a simple repeat that creates classic twisted panels across the headband. You will use a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches to the front or back of your work before knitting the next group of stitches. That small change in stitch order is what creates the raised cable texture.
This is a great cable knitting project for knitters who have worked a few basic cables before or want a smaller project to practice with before knitting a cable sweater. The repeat is easy to recognize once you have completed it a few times, which makes it easier to keep track of where you are as you work.
Since the headband is worked in the round, you can keep knitting without turning your work at the end of every row. The finished fabric has a clean look from both sides and works especially well for wearing with a ponytail, bun, braids, or loose hair.
The child through adult sizing makes it easy to create matching cable ear warmers for the family. You can also adjust the fit by choosing the size that best matches the wearer’s head circumference and preferred amount of negative ease.
What Other Free Headband Knitting Patterns Can You Try?
Once you finish the Asa Headband, there are plenty of other free headband knitting patterns to add to your project list. Each one offers a different stitch pattern, yarn weight, or style, so you can find something that fits the weather and the kind of knitting you are in the mood for.
The Ezra Headband is a good option for simple texture, while the Hezekiah Headband has a faux cable look with a little extra detail. The Nicolas Headband is another practical everyday choice, and the Peace Headband uses simple knit and purl texture for a thicker ear warmer.
The Cedar Headband is a nice choice when you want a pattern with a little more design detail. These headbands are all useful projects for gift knitting, cooler mornings, and using yarn from your stash without committing to a full sweater or blanket.
A cable knit ear warmer is one of those projects that works well when you want something useful but do not have time for a larger pattern. It gives you a chance to enjoy texture and cables while still finishing with a practical accessory you can wear right away.
The Asa Headband also makes a great companion to the Asa Beanie. You can knit both in the same yarn color for a matching set or use different colors to create a few options for changing weather.
Asa Headband Free Pattern
Materials Needed: 40-80yds worsted weight yarn (I used KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Cumulus) size 8 (5mm) circular and dpn, yarn needle
Gauge: 20sts/10cms or 4ins
Sizes (appx head circumference) [appx finished measurements laid flat]:
toddler (40cms, 16ins)
child (46cms,18ins)
small adult (51cms, 20ins)
large adult (56cms, 22ins)
- STITCH CHART
Round 1 – k2, p1
Round 2 – c2f, p1
Round 3 – k2, p1
Round 4 – c2f, p1
Round 5 – k2, p1
Round 6 – k2, p1
Round 7 – k2, p1
Round 8 – k2, p1 - ASA HEADBAND
Cast on (78, 84) 102, 114. Join in the round.
Work 2.5cms or 1ins k2p1 ribbing.
Work the charted stitch pattern (rounds 1-8) around 1 time then work rounds 1-5 of charted stitch pattern 1 more time.
Now work k2p1 ribbing around for 2.5cms or 1in.
Bind off loosely. Weave in ends. Block as desired. - Stitch Key
c2f – cable over 2 front – slip 1stitch onto cable needle knit the next stitch, knit st on cable needle
K – knit
p – purl
PSSO – pass slipped stitch over
SL – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
Have you ever knit a cable headband before, or do you usually reach for a full beanie when the weather cools down? Let me know in the comments which Asa project you would knit first.
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The post Asa Headband: Free Cable Knit Ear Warmer Pattern appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
