How To Crochet A Headband - Easy Free Pattern

Learn how to crochet a headband the easiest ways. A crochet headband is a really useful accessory! You can use it to keep your ears warm in winter, to wrap around your head when you are having a bad hair day, or just to keep your hair back and out of your eyes all year round! Headbands also look adorable on babies and toddlers.

Crochet headbands are a quick and easy project, suitable for beginners and crochet experts alike. You can make it as wide or as narrow as you please, depending on the final look you want to achieve.

How to Crochet a Headband Tutorial

A headband or crochet ear warmer is basically just made up of a crocheted rectangle which is then joined along the short sides. You can use any basic crochet stitches, but this crochet project is made using double crochet stitches. Switching to a single crochet stitch will give you a warmer, denser headband. You can then add modifications to decorate the headband and make it your own.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy Beginner

Crochet Headband Abbreviations

All instructions are written in US terms.

• ch - chain stitch crochet
• sc - single crochet
• hdc - half double crochet
• dc - double crochet
• sl st - slip stitch crochet
• st(s) -stitch (es)

Materials for Crochet Headbands

• YARN - Thicker yarns will be warmer for your ears. I like worsted weight yarn or bulky weight yarn for this project. Just one skein of yarn is usually enough. Read about the best types of yarn for crochet.
• CROCHET HOOK - Suitable size for your yarn. Read about crochet hook sizes.
• EXTRAS - Yarn or tapestry needle to hide the ends, Scissors.

For the pink bow headband, I used a bulky yarn in wool with a 6.5 mm hook. The mottled flower headband was crocheted using a cotton DK weight yarn and a 4.5 mm hook. Wool or wool blend yarns will give you a warmer headband or earwarmer while cotton headbands are more decorative.

Because we are crocheting to measurements, it does not matter what crochet gauge you use with your chosen yarn.

Here are some different yarn weights and their corresponding recommended hook sizes. Check the label on your yarn, as it normally has a hook size recommendation.

Crochet Headband Pattern Size Chart

The best way to ensure a good fit is to measure the recipient’s head circumference with a tape measure. Measure exactly where the headband will go around the head. Then make your headband 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5cm) shorter, so that it can stretch slightly around the head. If you are making a gift, and can’t measure the recipient’s head, here is a rough guide to head sizes, and the size band you will require.

AGE	Head Size	Headband Length
Baby 0-3 mths	14-15” (36-38 cm)	13-13.5” (33-34 cm)
Baby 3-6 mths	15-17” (38-43cm)	13.5-16” (34-41cm)
Baby 6-12 mths	16-18” (41-46cm)	14.5-16.5” ( 37-42cm)
Toddler	18-20“ (46-51 cm)	16.5-18.5” (42-47cm)
Child	19-20.5” (48 -52cm)	17.5-19” (44 -48cm)
Teen (or sm. adult)	20.5-22” (52 -56cm)	19-20“ (48 -52cm)
Adult Size M	21.5-22.5“ (53 -56 cm)	20-21.5” (51- 54cm)
Adult Size L	23-24” (58 -61cm)	22-24” (55 -58 cm)

Please note that all metric measurements are approximate, as they have been rounded off.

Easy Crochet Headband and Ear Warmer Best Widths:

Usually, a headband for an adult will be about 3½ to 4 inches (9-10cm) deep, for a child 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5cm) deep, and for a baby headband, about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep. Of course, this is totally adaptable to your personal taste. You can simply stitch it as wide or as narrow as you prefer!

How to Crochet a Headband Pattern

You can crochet your free headband pattern lengthwise or across. It is just personal preference. I find it easier to crochet across and keep going until I have the required length. Ultimately all you are doing is crocheting a rectangle with the desired length and width. Change yarn colors to create interesting stripes, or make it all in a solid color.

Method 1 - How to Crochet a Headband Pattern Lengthwise

The advantage of crocheting your headband lengthwise is that the edges look a little neater. As previously mentioned, this was made using double crochet, but you can substitute any stitch such as crochet ribbing or granny stripes.

1. Make a foundation chain, the length you require for the headband size. The number of stitches will depend on what type of yarn you are using. Refer to the headband size chart for suggested lengths. I crocheted 20 inches (51cm) of chain for a small adult size.
2. Double crochet into 3^rd chain from hook.
3. Double crochet into each chain.
4. * Chain 2, turn. Double crochet into each stitch from the previous row.
5. Repeat from * until the headband is the required width. I made this sample 4 inches (10cm) wide.

Method 2 - How to Crochet a Headband Across

The advantage of crocheting your headband across the width is that you can try it on to get a really accurate length.

1. Make a foundation chain, the width you require for the headband size. The number of stitches will depend on what type of yarn you are using. I made this sample 4 inches (10cm) in width.
2. Double crochet into 3^rd chain from hook.
3. Double crochet into each chain.
4. * Chain 2, turn. Double crochet into each stitch from the previous row.
5. Repeat from * until the headband is the required length. I made this sample 20 inches (51cm).

How to Join a Crochet Headband

• When you have crocheted enough rows to give you the required size, end off your yarn by cutting it, leaving about a 10” (25cm) tail.
• Thread this tail through your final loop and pull firmly.
• Now thread it into a yarn needle.
• Place the right sides of the band together and slip stitch or whip stitch the 2 short sides together.

How to Decorate a Crochet Headband

You can decorate your headband with flowers or pinch in the middle to make a bow. Create a headband as unique as you are! Other embellishments you can add include silk flowers, yarn pom-poms, and even tassels.

How to Crochet a Headband with a Bow

1. Use the tail of the yarn to wrap around the seam of the headband. Secure it with a knot.
2. Make a small, narrow crochet strip with double crochet, and use this to pull the band together in the front.
3. Wrap it around the gathered section of the headband and sew the ends. It will gather the band to resemble a bow.

How to Crochet a Headband with a Flower

You can make small or large flowers to decorate your headband. See my tutorial on crochet flowers for lots more options.

Flower Crochet Headband

If you are making a headband for a small child or a baby, you may want to make a flower. This little flower measures almost 2”(5 cm) across when made with DK yarn and a size 7 (4.5mm) hook. You could also make a pretty cluster of these little ones to add to an adult headband.

Extra abbreviations for this flower: Hdc- half double crochet.

• Row 1: Using the color you have chosen for your center, ch4, join with a sl st to form a ring.
• Row 2: Ch 2. (Counts as hdc.) Hdc 11 times into the ring. Sl st to top of ch2. Fasten off.
• Row 3: Change colors. Join in new color with a sl st to the top of any hdc. *Ch2, 3 dc into next hdc, sl st into next hdc. Repeat from* all the way around. There should be 6 Petals. Join up with a sl st, fasten off and weave ends in.
• For adults: Add a button or crystal to the center of the flowers.

How to Crochet a Headband - In Conclusion

This is a really simple pattern that is quick to make. You will easily be able to make quick, last-minute gifts of headbands, and you can add to your own personal style as well by making yourself a whole variety of crocheted headbands!

More Free Crochet Patterns

• How to Crochet Slippers
• How to Crochet Face Scrubbies
• How to Crochet a Scarf
• How to Crochet Balls
• How to Crochet Flowers
• How to Crochet Coasters