S about 20 x 4 in, M about 22 x 4 in or L about 24 x 4 in · 5 stripes · DK yarn, 4 colors · US G-6 hook · 1 wooden button
The flat striped headband in Cranberry, Cream, Gold and Blush pink. The picture shows a shorter, wider band than the real sizes; yours follows the size you choose. Preview picture, not a photo of crochet.
This free crochet headband pattern makes a flat striped ear warmer, a quick-to-make winter gift, that closes with a wooden button. It is not twisted. You crochet one rectangle of single crochet in Cranberry, Cream, Gold and Blush pink, in three sizes, S, M and L.
The page has the rows, the stripe plan, yarn by color and a PDF in Letter and A4. Plan an evening or two.
Crochet Headband at a Glance: Flat, Striped, with a Button
Time
About 2.5 to 4 hours (S), 3 to 4.5 (M) or 3 to 5 (L), estimated, not timed
Finished size
about 20 x 4 in flat, 18 in closed (S), about 22 x 4 in flat, 20 in closed (M) or about 24 x 4 in flat, 22 in closed (L)
Yarn
DK weight (#3), 4 colors: about 100 yd (S), 110 yd (M) or 110 yd (L) in all
Gauge
Suggested only, not swatched: 18 sts and 20 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet with DK (#3) yarn and a US G-6 (4 mm) hook. Measure your swatch and adjust.
Stitches
Chain and single crochet only; one flat rectangle, a 1-row buttonhole, no seam
Hook and button
US G-6 (4 mm); one flat wooden button, 0.75 in (20 mm)
Fit
Worn 2 in smaller than the head (8 to 10 % negative ease); ends overlap 2 in
How this pattern was checked
Every row of all 3 sizes was replayed and counted by software: 333 of 333
Two independent readings of the rows agree
Not crocheted yet: sizes, stretch, yarn and hours are estimates. Make the swatch first.
Worn, seen from behind, with the button at the back. Preview picture, not a photo of crochet.
Measure your head with a soft tape, around the widest part and just above your ears. Pick the size that matches. S is for a 20 in head: 100 rows, worn size 18 in. M is for a 22 in head: 110 rows, worn size 20 in. L is for a 24 in head: 120 rows, worn size 22 in. All three are about 4 in wide with a foundation chain of 19. If you are between sizes, take the bigger one, because the button can tighten the band but can only loosen it a tiny bit. The size table drawing below shows all three sizes side by side.
S: head 20 in
Yarn
DK weight (#3), 4 colors
Hook
US G-6 (4 mm)
Yarn needed
About 100 yd in all (estimated, with a 15 % margin)
Finished size
about 20 x 4 in flat (51 x 10 cm), about 18 in when closed.
Counts
Foundation ch 19; 18 sc per row; 100 rows (about 1,800 sc). About 2.5 to 4 hours in all, estimated.
M: head 22 in
Yarn
DK weight (#3), 4 colors
Hook
US G-6 (4 mm)
Yarn needed
About 110 yd in all (estimated, with a 15 % margin)
Finished size
about 22 x 4 in flat (56 x 10 cm), about 20 in when closed.
Counts
Foundation ch 19; 18 sc per row; 110 rows (about 1,980 sc). About 3 to 4.5 hours in all, estimated.
L: head 24 in
Yarn
DK weight (#3), 4 colors
Hook
US G-6 (4 mm)
Yarn needed
About 110 yd in all (estimated, with a 15 % margin)
Finished size
about 24 x 4 in flat (61 x 10 cm), about 22 in when closed.
Counts
Foundation ch 19; 18 sc per row; 120 rows (about 2,160 sc). About 3 to 5 hours in all, estimated.
Size table
Measure
S
M
L
Head circumference
20 in (51 cm)
22 in (56 cm)
24 in (61 cm)
Worn band (closed)
18 in (46 cm)
20 in (51 cm)
22 in (56 cm)
Negative ease
10.0 %
9.1 %
8.3 %
Flat length
20 in (51 cm)
22 in (56 cm)
24 in (61 cm)
Width / stitches per row
4 in / 18
4 in / 18
4 in / 18
Rows
100
110
120
Foundation ch
19
19
19
Stripes (rows)
22 / 19 / 18 / 19 / 22
24 / 21 / 20 / 21 / 24
26 / 23 / 22 / 23 / 26
Button row
96
106
116
Yarn, all colors (yd)
100
110
110
Cranberry (yd)
40
50
50
Cream (yd)
20
20
20
Gold (yd)
20
20
20
Blush pink (yd)
20
20
20
Time, est. (h)
2.5 to 4
3 to 4.5
3 to 5
Finished measurements and stitch counts for every size, in inches. Approximate, from our suggested gauge: check them against your swatch. Scroll sideways on a phone.
How Tight Should a Crochet Headband Be?
A crochet ear warmer should be a little smaller than your head so it stays put. This one is worn 2 in smaller than your head: 18 in on a 20 in head, 20 in on a 22 in head, 22 in on a 24 in head. That is 10 %, 9.1 % and 8.3 % negative ease. The two ends overlap by 2 in, so the flat band is 2 in longer than the worn size: 20, 22 or 24 in. End A (Row 1) has the buttonhole and lies on top. End B (the last row) carries the button. The buttonhole sits 1.1 in from the edge of Row 1 and the button sits 0.9 in from the edge of the last row. Together that is the 2 in overlap. How much single crochet stretches in DK yarn has never been measured, so pin the ends around your head before you sew the button.
Buttonhole, button and the 2 in overlap. Tap to enlarge: Open it full size
tch = turning chain (ch 1 here: never counted, never worked into)
Yarn and Yardage by Color
Cranberry: 40 yd (S) / 50 yd (M) / 50 yd (L)
Cream: 20 yd (S) / 20 yd (M) / 20 yd (L)
Gold: 20 yd (S) / 20 yd (M) / 20 yd (L)
Blush pink: 20 yd (S) / 20 yd (M) / 20 yd (L)
You need four colors of DK weight (#3) yarn. The amounts are estimates with a 15 % margin, and each color is rounded up to the next 10 yd. Size S takes about 100 yd in all: Cranberry 40 yd, Cream 20 yd, Gold 20 yd and Blush pink 20 yd. Size M takes about 110 yd: Cranberry 50 yd and 20 yd of each other color. Size L also lists about 110 yd: Cranberry 50 yd and 20 yd of each other color. M and L match only because each color is rounded up. You also need one flat wooden button, 3/4 in (20 mm), and a yarn needle. Small amounts of each color make this a good project for leftover DK yarn.
Use one brand and one dye-lot family per color if you can.
Yarn needle, scissors, sewing needle and thread (or a strand of yarn) for the button.
10 ends to weave in.
The four colors, with a hook, scissors and the button. Preview picture, not a photo of crochet.
The pattern uses a gauge of 18 sts and 20 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, with DK (#3) yarn and a US G-6 (4 mm) hook. This gauge is an estimate. Crochet a small square of sc, measure it, and adjust your hook size if you get more or fewer stitches. Do this before you buy all the yarn. Rows per inch also set the length: the sizes are built on 5 rows per inch, so a looser or tighter swatch changes the length and the fit. Ch 21 and work 24 rows of sc (20 sts, about 4.5 in wide). Measure 4 in across the middle. Fewer sts, go down a hook size; more sts, go up. The band must stretch a little, so do not choose a stiff, tight fabric.
Get the free printable PDF (Letter + A4)Every size and stitch count on paper, ready to print.Get the free PDF
Abbreviations and Pattern Notes
US terms. ch = chain. sc = single crochet. st = stitch. RS = right side. WS = wrong side. The turning ch is ch 1. It does not count as a st and you never work into it. The first sc of a row goes in the very first sc and the last sc goes in the last sc. Odd rows are the wrong side and even rows are the right side. The last row is a right-side row. Cut the old yarn at every color change and do not carry it up the side.
Crochet Ear Warmer Pattern: The Rows
Work the rows in order. The color of each stripe is in the stripe plan above.
FoundationCh 19 (S), 19 (M) or 19 (L).Stitch count: 19 ch (S), 19 ch (M) or 19 ch (L)
Row 1 (WS)Sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook (the ch you skip is the turning ch, not a st), then sc in the back bump of each of the next 17 (S), 17 (M) or 17 (L) ch.Stitch count: 18 sc
Rows 2 to 5Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in each st across. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 18 sc
Row 6 (RS, buttonhole)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in each of the next 7 sc, ch 4, skip the next 4 sc (this is the buttonhole), sc in each of the last 7 sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 14 sc, 4 ch
Row 7 (WS)Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn. Sc in each of the next 7 sc, sc in each of the 4 ch of the buttonhole, sc in each of the last 7 sc. Do not work in the turning ch.Stitch count: 18 sc
Rows 8 to lastRepeat Row 2, changing color at the start of each stripe (see the stripe plan). The last row is Row 100 (S), Row 110 (M) or Row 120 (L).Stitch count: 100 rows in all (S), 110 rows in all (M) or 120 rows in all (L)
The button on the overlapping end. Preview picture, not a photo of crochet.
The Button: Where to Sew It and How to Adjust the Fit
Sew the button on the right side of the band, on the row that is 4 rows before the last one: Row 96 (S), Row 106 (M) or Row 116 (L). Center it between the 9th and 10th sc. Use sewing thread or a strand of Cranberry yarn. Wrap the band around your head with the buttonhole end on top, pin the ends together, then sew. One row is 0.2 in. To loosen the band, sew the button 1 or 2 rows closer to the end, which is 0.2 to 0.4 in at most. On Row (last – 2) only 0.125 in of fabric is left after the button, and on Row (last – 4) there is 0.525 in. Any closer and the button has no fabric around it. To tighten the band, sew it as many rows away from the end as you like. If the band is still too tight, make the next size up.
The Stripe Plan: Cranberry, Cream, Gold, Blush Pink
Each stripe is a set number of rows. Size S: Cranberry rows 1 to 22, Cream rows 23 to 41, Gold rows 42 to 59, Blush pink rows 60 to 78, Cranberry rows 79 to 100. Size M: Cranberry rows 1 to 24, Cream rows 25 to 45, Gold rows 46 to 65, Blush pink rows 66 to 86, Cranberry rows 87 to 110. Size L: Cranberry rows 1 to 26, Cream rows 27 to 49, Gold rows 50 to 71, Blush pink rows 72 to 94, Cranberry rows 95 to 120.
Stripe plan: the number in each stripe is its rows. Tap to enlarge: Open it full size
Changing Color Between Stripes, With No Yarn Carried
Changing color: on the last sc of the last row of a stripe, work it until 2 loops are on the hook, drop the old color (leave a 4 in tail), and pull the new color through both loops. Ch 1 and turn as usual. Cut the old yarn at every change; do not carry it up the side. Weave in the 4 in tails on the wrong side.
Finishing: Weave In 10 Ends
This headband has 10 ends to weave in in all. Weave in the 4 in tails from the color changes and the 6 in tail from the last row on the wrong side. Then sew on the button. Weaving in the ends and sewing the button are part of the time estimate. Wash and dry as the yarn label says.
Closed with the button, shown around a mug for scale. Preview picture, not a photo of crochet.
The pattern is also available as a free PDF in Letter and A4 sizes. It has the rows for all three sizes, the stripe plan, the yarn amounts and the button instructions.
Count your sc at the end of every row: each row has 18, except Row 6 (14 sc and 4 ch).
Pin the ends around your head before you sew the button, and check the fit.
Weave in the ends as you change color, so you do not face 10 ends at the end.
Common mistakes
Working into the turning ch: the row gets 19 sc instead of 18.
Skipping 3 or 5 sc for the buttonhole instead of 4: Row 7 no longer has 18 sc.
Sewing the button closer to the end than Row (last – 2): the button has no fabric around it.
Make it your own
Other colors: keep the same stripe rows and make sure two neighboring stripes are never the same color.
Care
Follow the washing and drying instructions on the label of your yarn.
Crochet Headband FAQ
How tight should a crochet headband be?
This pattern is worn 2 in smaller than your head: 10 % for size S, 9.1 % for M and 8.3 % for L. It needs a little stretch to sit on your ears. Single crochet in DK yarn has not been measured for stretch, so pin the ends around your head before you sew the button.
What size crochet headband should I make?
Measure your head around the widest part, just above your ears. Choose S for 20 in, M for 22 in or L for 24 in. If you are between sizes, take the bigger one, since the button can tighten it freely.
How wide should a crochet ear warmer be?
This one is 4 in wide: 18 sc and about 4 in with the estimated gauge. We have not calculated any other width, so there are no counts for a wider or narrower band.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet headband?
About 100 yd (S) or 110 yd (M and L) of DK (#3) yarn in four colors, with a 15 % margin. Size M takes 50 yd of Cranberry and 20 yd of Cream, Gold and Blush pink. These are estimates.
How long does it take to crochet a headband?
Estimated at 2.5 to 4 hours (S), 3 to 4.5 hours (M) and 3 to 5 hours (L), with color changes, weaving in ends and sewing the button. That is about 1,800 to 2,160 single crochets. Plan on an evening or two.
Can I crochet this headband if I am new to crochet?
You will use these moves: chain, single crochet, change color, chain 4 for a buttonhole and sew on a button. If you already know the first three, you have what you need. It is not a pattern we have tested with a new crocheter.
Can I make this headband for a child?
The pattern has no child size. The smallest is S for a 20 in head. Child sizes have not been calculated, so we give no row counts for them. Measure the head and compare it with the three sizes.
Can I make it twisted?
A twisted headband needs a different length, and we have not calculated or drawn it. Treat a twist as an idea for your own tests. This pattern is a flat band with a button.
What if the headband is too tight?
Sew the button 1 or 2 rows closer to the end. That loosens the band by 0.2 to 0.4 in at most. If it is still tight, make the next size up.
How do I wash a crochet headband?
Follow the care label of the yarn you choose. The pattern does not name a fiber, so it gives no washing advice of its own. Wash the colors the way the label says, and test a swatch first.
The AMG Royal pattern teamPatterns on AMG Royal are designed by calculation: every row is simulated and the full pattern is independently re-checked before publishing. They are not hand-crocheted samples — times and yardage are estimates.How we make our patternsFound a mistake? Tell us
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