Rose Thorn Headband

“But he that dares not grasp the thorn. Should never crave the rose.” Anne Brontë

Knitted in aran-weight yarn, the Rose Thorn Headband is a useful and stylish accessory for the colder months, especially for those “messy bun” days. Its slipped stitch patterning in particular helps to create a really cosy fabric, that’s perfect for keeping your forehead and ears toasty warm.

The headband is partly named after Anne Brontë’s wonderful quotation above, which reminds us that we can’t have beautiful handknits without putting in a bit of (hopefully enjoyable) “work”!

Luckily, knitting the Rose Thorn Headband pattern is neither a chore nor “work”, as it’s a super quick knit, making it perfect for gift knitting!

Matches the mitts of the same name: here
Kits available from www.maddieharveydesigns.com


CONSTRUCTION NOTES
The Rose Thorn Headband is knitted in flat, in two halves, which are grafted together, at the centre, after knitting. Each half begins with an i-cord tie, followed by a short increase section, before working straight for the stated number of rows, according to which size you’re making.

YARN
Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Aran Worsted (aran-weight; 61m / 66 yds per 50g ball; 100% Real Shetland Wool)
1 ball in Silver Grey (MC)
1 ball in Auld Gold (CC)
The sample headband (size M/L) used approximately 28 g / 34 m (37 yds) of MC and 17 g / 21 m (22.5 yds) of CC. It’s possible to create two headbands (size M/L) from 100g (total) of the recommended yarn if you swap the MC and CC around for the second headband.

Kits available from www.maddieharveydesigns.com

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
4.00 mm / US 6 straight needles
Stitch holder or spare needle
Tapestry needle for grafting

GAUGE
18 sts x 24 rnds = 10 cm / 4” measured over Pattern B after blocking

SIZES
2 sizes: S/M (M/L), but ties mean the headband is adjustable
To fit head circumference of approximately:
51-56 cm (56-61) cm / 20-22” (22-24)” (see schematic for further details)
Sample is size M/L on Maddie with a head measuring
58.5 cm /23”

PATTERN ATTRIBUTES (all techniques explained)
adult
purled decreases and increases
chart (and equivalent written instructions)
icord
flat
one-piece
stripes
seamless (gratfing)
slipped stitches
sideways
unisex

File Updated 14/12/21 to fix a small errata in the Set Up Rows:
Row 2 (WS) now states: Sl1 wyif, k1, p1 tbl, p to last 3 sts, p1 tbl, k2.
rather than - 
Row 2 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, p1 tbl, p to last 3 sts, yo, k2.