Saturday, January 7, 2012

Vi's Shell Headband - Free Crochet Pattern

Tonight I polled my Facebook fans for an idea for a free pattern for this blog.  Apparently everyone was out partying and I got two suggestions.  This is Vi's Shell Headband named after the daughter of my cousin Karen who suggested a headband pattern.


This will fit infants through school-aged children.  I can stretch mine to fit me but it's a tight fit and my yarn is strechier than normal cotton yarn.

Materials:

A small amount of cotton yarn (I used Nashua's Cilantro cotton blend yarn, this yarn is super stretchy and has great stitch definition)

G hook

Tapestry Needle

Optional: yarn of choice for flower decoration 

Abbreviations:

fdc - foundation double crochet
st- stitch
sl st- slip stitch
dc- double crochet
ch- chain

Special Stitches:

shell stitch - 5 dc in the same stitch

foundation double crochet (fdc) - this is a chainless foundation stitch which makes for a much stretchier finished item which is ideal for headbands.  I can't explain it very well but Teri over at Diamond Crochet & Crafts did a great tutorial which you can find here http://diamondcrochetcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-do-foundation-double-crochet.html

Instructions:

Row 1: Do 30 fdc stitches (count the beginning ch 3 as one of the stitches).  Turn. (there is no turning chain)

Row 2: Skip 2 st, *shell stitch in next st, skip st, sl st in next, skip st*, repeat from * to * to the end of the row.



Turn your work 1/4 turn so that the end is facing up.  Sl st in in side of the beginning ch 3 of the foundation row.



Row 3: repeat row 2 stitching into bottom of the foundation row.



At the end of row 3 do not finish off, instead fold right sides together and slip stitch the two ends together. 



Finish off and weave in ends.



Use as is or add your choice of decoration.  I added a nice and easy flower from one of my favorite blogs.  You can find it here http://neannersshop.blogspot.com/2010/11/super-duper-easy-perfect-posy.html.  You can glue the flower to an aligator clip and switch out decorations to match outfits.

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for this pretty pattern and it was really easy but looks great

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  2. I must have done something wrong because mine turned out to be bracelet size and I made sure to stitch loosely. Do you have any ideas what it could have been?

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    Replies
    1. It should be pretty small as the stretch is what keeps it on and because it is designed to fit infant through school aged kiddos. The yarn I used has a LOT of stretch to it. If it's too small for your needs or your yarn is not so stretchy then you can add additional length by adding multiples of 4 to the original 30 foundation chain. Maybe give 38 a try and see how that works.

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  3. Unfortunately, I didn't save the pattern for it. There are hundreds of great flower patterns out there, if you are not already a member, I would suggest joining ravelry.com (it's free) and you should be able to find great patterns on there.

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