Introduction
The Amala Headband is an easy beginner-friendly Tunisian crochet headband/ear warmer with a central stag horn cable pattern. It is worked flat using fingering weight yarn and seamed at the end, which makes it a great functional accessory and a perfect gifting option!
You can make it in an evening or two and make it a last-minute present. Natural fibers, in particular wool or merino wool are recommended for this pattern as they are a great option for wearing close to skin and make the cable stand out.
You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.
Last updated: 05/12/2024
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Skills required:
To create this beautiful crochet headband with stag horn cable, you will need to master (or already know) these stitches and techniques:
Chain (ch), Tunisian crochet technique (alternating forward (FP) and return (RP) passes), Tunisian purl stitch(tps), Tunisian knit stitch (tks), Tunisian crochet cables (C8B, C8F), binding off in Tunisian crochet, blocking, Locking Mattress Stitch.
Skill level:
Finished measurements:
The final crochet headband with stag horn cable measurements (blocked):
11.5 cm wide and 53.5 cm circumference (approx. 4.5” wide and 21“ circumference)
Materials and tools
Yarn:
To get the exact look as on the pictures of my crochet headband with stag horn cable, you will need:
We Crochet Palette (100% Peruvian Highland Wool | Fingering weight | 50 g (1.76 oz) = 211 m (231 yds)), (#24241) Camel Heather
Weight used for the headband: 42-45 g
Other yarn alternatives:
Please always swatch when substituting yarn:
RICO DESIGN Essentials Fine Fine Merino
KING COLE KC Collection Naturally Soft 4Ply
For further alternatives, please see:
Knit Picks / We Crochet Palette | Substitutes
You can get your craft supplies here.
Tools and notions:
- Tunisian crochet hook 4.0 mm (G/6) with cable (at least 10 cm (4”)) or size to obtain the gauge
- Cable needle
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Gauge:
Blocked Gauge:
27 sts x 19 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”) over st pattern
The gauge is essential for this crochet headband with stag horn cable, as it impacts the circumference of the headband and therefore the fit.
Gauge helps you to understand how the project turns out in terms of the final size. If you would like to achieve the exact size of the final project as in the instructions above, you gauge needs to match exactly to the above.
If you get more stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hook size as per instructions, your final project will turn out smaller. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows than stated above using the exact hooks size as per instructions, your final project will turn out bigger.
To make adjustments, if you get more stitches and/or rows, you can try using bigger hook size to get closer to the desired size. Conversely, if you get less stitches and/or rows, you can try using smaller hook size to get closer to the desired size.
It may take trial and error to try out a few hook sizes to achieve the exact size.
Alternatively, if you really don’t want to make several samples to achieve the desired size, you can try to alter your tension as you work the project. However, I would advise to try this out once you master the basics of Tunisian crochet as it may be a bit tiresome to try to master the basics of Tunisian crochet and focus on alternating your tension while working the project.
If this crochet headband with stag horn cable is your first Tunisian crochet project and are not sure if this project matches your skills, I have a Tunisian crochet masterclass tutorial that will jump-start your Tunisian crochet journey!
Stitch guide:
Tunisian crochet stitches are worked in 2 steps; forward and return pass from right to left, with the number of sts (lps) increasing on the hook during the forward pass and decreasing during the return pass.
Return pass is worked in the same way for all stitches (rows of sts) used in this project as follows: 1 ch, *yrh, draw through 2 lps on hook, rep from * until 1 lp on hook.
Edge stitches:
Right edge stitch- This is the first lp on hook and counts as first st unless otherwise stated.
Left edge stitch- This st is referred to in the pattern as the End Stitch (ES) and is crocheted as follows: Rotate the end of the fabric towards yourself, insert the hook under both bars (left and right) of the last st, yrh and pul.
Tunisian crochet stitches:
- First row of Tunisian crochet: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across.
- Tunisian purl stitch (tps): Bring yarn to the front on the work and hook, insert the hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next st, yrh and pul.
- Tunisian knit stitch (tks): Insert the hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bar, yrh and pul.
- C8B: This cable is worked over 8 stitches; tks in next 4 sts, place these 4 lps on cable needle and hold at the back of work, tks in next 4 sts, slide first 4 lps from cable needle back on hook crossing the second 4 lps.
- C8F: This cable is worked over 8 stitches; tks in next 4 sts, place these 4 lps on cable needle and hold at the front of work, tks in next 4 sts, slide first 4 lps from cable needle back on hook crossing the second 4 lps.
Bind off:
Tunisian simple stitch bind-off (Tss BO): * Insert hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next st, yrh, pul and pull through the lp that is on the hook. One lp remains on the hook; rep from * to ES, bind-off ES.
Abbreviations:
| Abbreviations for crochet headband with stag horn cable: | |
| approx.- approximately | pul- pull up a loop |
| C8B- cable 4 over 4 sts at the back | rep- repeat |
| C8F- cable 4 over 4 sts at the front | RP- return pass |
| ch- chain | RS- right side |
| dec- decrease | st(s)- stitch(es) |
| FP- forward pass | tks- Tunisian knit stitch |
| lp(s)- loop(s) | tps- Tunisian purl stitch |
Amala Stitch chart:
Notes:
- The crochet headband with stag horn cable if worked with RS facing from right to left and from bottom up.
- Similar fingering weight yarns may be substituted; please check gauge.
- Number of loops on hook equals number of stitches for counting.
Instructions:
Crochet headband with stag horn cable
Chain 30.
Row 1 FP: Insert the hook in the back bump of second ch from hook, yrh and pul across. 30 lps on hook.
Row 1 RP and all other RPs: Standard RP.
Row 2: Tks in next 3 sts, tps in next 3 sts, tks in next 16 sts, tps in next 3 sts, tks in next 3 sts, ES. (Row 2 of Amala stitch chart).
Rows 3-5: Rep Row 2.
Row 6: Tks in next 3 sts, tps in next 3 sts, C8B, C8F, tps in next 3 sts, tks in next 3 sts, ES. (Row 6 of Amala stitch chart).
Rows 7-8: Rep Row 2.
Pattern repeat
Rows 9-98: Rep Rows 6-8.
Rows 99-100: Rep Rows 7-8.
Row 101: Tss BO.
Fasten off.
Finishing:
Weave in all ends and block the crochet headband with stag horn cable to final measurements as above.
- Lay headband horizontally with RS facing.
- Fold in half lengthwise from bottom edge to top edge, (RS will now be inside fold).
- Holding each of the 2 short, folded sides (one in each hand) bring short sides together, (folding horizontally). Ends will look like opposite/mirrored interlocking V shapes.
- Insert 1 folded side of 1 V in center of opposite V, overlapping V-shaped halves. There are now 4 layers.
- Using long tail, join in preferred method through all 4 layers. Seam will be hidden inside the twist. Weave in ends, turn RS out.
I would love to see and share your work on social media, use #amalaheadband or #exquisitecrochetuk.
Pattern support: exquisite.crochet.uk@gmail.com
Further resources:
Pattern video tutorial for this crochet headband with stag horn cable:
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You can purchase the add free PDF version of the pattern at LoveCrafts here and Ravelry here.
Did you enjoy the Amala Headband pattern? Why not try my other crochet headband and hat patterns patterns:
Keziah Headband
Thank you so much if you got this far in the pattern! I hope you got inspired for your own version using different colours. I can’t wait to see it! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and let me know in the comment section below how you got on with it! As always, if you have any pattern query, the quickest way to get it answered is by emailing me on the pattern support email address above.
Happy crocheting!
