Earflap headband

 So, after knitting the cat bed, I was really enjoying the thick, multistranded fabric, and had some left over. The result was this improvised headband with flaps to keep the ears warm. I made it back when the bed was made but not yet felted, and just came across it again. It would have been handy to remember these last few days, because we were without heat, but we managed OK, and the plumber came today, and warmth is restored.

I took some notes, so if you want to make one too, because it is very cozy, here is the pattern. Note that this is the first pattern I have ever made public, and no one has looked at it but me, which is generally bad practice, but also no one reads this blog, so if in the future someone else is reading this and decides to make one: (a) I''d love to know, and (b) please tell me nicely about any errors you find or things which are unclear.

EARFLAP HEADBAND:

To fit an average-to-large adult size head. It’s pretty stretchy, but you can modify it to be smaller or larger in the straight sections if desired.

Gauge: 10 sts/3.5”, 22 rows/4” in garter stitch. This is excellent for multistranding – I got this gauge using three fingering weight strands and one worsted weight, all four held together. Feel free to check gauge by starting and working for a couple of inches, as described below.

CO 10 sts, leaving a 12” tail. Work in garter st for 2”. Check to see if strip measures 3.5 inches across. If so, keep going, if not, change needle size and try again.

Start earflap increases:

Row 1 – K1, Kfb, K to end

Row 2 – Knit

Repeat these two rows until you have 16 sts, ending with row 2.

Work even for 6 rows/1.5”

Start earflap decreases:

Row 1 – K1, k2tog, k to end

Row 2 – Knit

Repeat these two rows until you are back to 10 sts.

Work even in garter stitch for 7”. Piece will measure approximately 15” from cast-on.

Knit a second earflap to match the first.

Work even in garter stitch for 2”. Piece will measure approximately 23”

Sew beginning to end using the cast-on tail.