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. It is 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 my example 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

Headband Abbreviations

All instructions are written in US terms.

Materials for Crochet Headbands

YARN - Thicker yarns will be warmer for your ears. I like worsted weight yarn or bulky yarn for this project. Because we are crocheting to measurements it does not matter what gauge you use with your chosen yarn. 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 with a 6.5 mm hook. The mottled flower headband was crocheted using DK weight yarn and a 4.5 mm hook.

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 Hook and Yarn Sizes for Crochet Headband Patterns

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)

Crochet Headband or Ear Warmer Headband Sizing Chart

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

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!

More Patterns

How to Crochet a Headband Pattern

You can crochet your headband 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.

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.
Dc into 3^rd ch from hook.
Dc into each chain.
* Ch 2, turn. Dc into each stitch from the previous row.
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.

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.
Dc into 3^rd ch from hook.
Dc into each ch.
* Ch 2, turn. Dc into each stitch from the previous row.
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 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

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

How to Crochet a Bow Headband - Bow Crochet Headband Pattern

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.

Large Flower Headband

This flower, made with DK yarn and a size 7 (4.5mm) hook, measures just 5 inches (12cm ) across. If you use finer yarn and hook, it will be smaller, or you can make each petal with fewer chains as a base. Just remember to adjust all your stitches accordingly if you do that!

Foundation:

Start with a magic ring in the flower center color. (Or if you prefer, make a ring of 4 ch, joined with a sl st.)

Row 1:

6 sc into ring. Join with a sl st.

Row 2:

2 sc into each sc, join with a sl st.

Row 3 - First Petal:

Change your yarn to the color you would like for your petals now.
Work 16 ch. If you want smaller petals, use less ch. It should be an even number of ch.
Sl st into the first sc from round 2. This will make a loop of ch.
Turn and work back into your ch loop.
Work 1sl st into each of next 3 ch.
Work 4 sc , 1 into each of the next 4 ch.
2 sc into each of next 2 ch. You are turning the corner here, so need to add extra sts. You will have 4 sc in 2 ch sts.
4 sc into next 4 ch. (Working down the other side of the loop.)
3 sl st into last 3 ch.

Second Petal:

Sl st into next sc from round 2.
16 ch. Sl st into same sc to make a loop again.
Turn and work into ch loop.
1 sl st into each of next 3 ch.
4 sc into next 4 ch.
2 sc into each of next 2 ch.
4 sc into next 4 ch.
3 sl st into last 3 ch.

Remaining Petals:

Repeat as for 2^nd petal all the way around your sc circle. You should have 12 petals.
Finish by joining the last petal with a sl st, end off your yarn, leaving a tail to stitch the flower to the headband.
Weave in any remaining ends.

Small Flower Crochet Headband

If you are making a headband for a small child or a baby, you may want to make a smaller 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 to the color you have chosen for your petals. 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!