Free printable gift labels for cable headbands to wrap around these quick-knitted ear warmers for a great handmade gift option for girls of all ages. Be sure to check out the handmade gifts page for even more easy gift ideas.
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I'm so happy to share this handmade gift idea with you for sweet knitted cabled headbands wrapped in printable gift labels. Why? Because these are my favorite kinds of gifts: quick to make, pretty, and very usable. They also work for all ages of the girls and women on your list.
Oh, and also because I made them last year for my daughter and her cousins and they all loved them! They are super cute when worn and perfect for keeping ears warm on cold winter days.
The pattern is not my own (it's a free pattern I'll link to below), but I wanted to share this simple gift idea with you, so I created the labels as an add-on to go along with this great pattern.
Oh, and if you're wondering about knitting cables, never fear - I was totally scared of them, too! In fact, this is the first pattern I've ever tried with cables (though now that I've got the hang of it, I'm definitely branching out) and I've got a couple of tutorials for you below that will walk you through each step.
I always think a label takes a handmade gift to a more professional level. It seems more like a 'real' gift, if you know what I mean.
Plus, it can actually tell the recipient what they are holding in their hands (I don't think they would know what these knitted boot toppers where without the label) as well as give instructions if the gift needs them (like these labels for Flaxseed Warming Pillows).
TIP: scroll through the handmade gift & craft gallery to find more gifts that come with free printable gift labels.
Printable Gift Labels For Cable Headbands
The printable gift labels for the headbands are two pages with separate designs. One is more holiday-ish with a circle wreath and Christmasy fonts. The other is more streamlined and so they can be used for birthdays throughout the year.
CLICK HERE to download your printable gift labels (or click the image above). They will open in another window and you can right-click to save them to your desktop. After that you simply print, cut, and wrap.
Well, after you've got the headband knitted that is!
Steps to Knit Easy Cable Headbands for The Printable Gift Labels
I'm going to start off with a picture tutorial to make the simple cables for these headbands so I can illustrate just how easy it is. Please note, though, that taking step-by-step photos makes it seem much more complicated than is really is! If you can knit and purl you can make cables - and this is a great way to start with no counting needed.
After the picture tutorial, you will find the link to the free pattern, plus a video that you can watch to walk you through it, too. I want to make sure you feel confident to try - if I can do it, anyone can.
Step 1 (On a knit row, cable row, according to pattern- row 3 at beginning of pattern)
- Knit one stitch (I knit everything now on Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Needles - I LOVE them, no ends of straight needles flapping around and easy to carry with you in a bag.)
- Slip next three stitches onto a small 6-inch bamboo double-pointed needle in FRONT of headband. Note: you can also try these more traditional cable needles or these indented wood cable needles. I like using the double-pointed needles because I either have them or can use new sizes in other patterns (vs. one-use cable needles).
Step 2
- Pick up knitting behind the bamboo needle on the main row. Yes it's tight and a bit awkward, but it becomes second nature after awhile. This is why a bamboo needle helps - it's surface grabs the wool yard so it doesn't slide off as easily as metal would.
Step 3
- Knit 3 stitches on the main row.
Step 4
- Slide the 3 stitches on the bamboo needle to the right end and twist a bit so you can start knitting the 3 stitches from the bamboo needle to the main needle.
- Knit all stitches off of the bamboo needle.
Step 5
- Set the short needle aside and finish knitting the row regularly.
Step 6
- Continue with the pattern until you come to the next row needing the left side cable (row 7 at beginning of pattern).
- Knit 7 stitches before slipping the next 3 stitches onto the bamboo needle, this time leaving the needle at the BACK of the headband.
- With your main needles, knit 3, leaving just one stitch on your main needle. TIP: pull the needle up so the stitch is down the needle (or on the cable if using the interchangeable needles) to keep the needle from falling out.
Step 7
- Like before, slide the stitches to the right, bringing the bamboo needle forward to be able to knit the stitches off of the bamboo needle.
Step 8
- Knit the final stitch with the main needles.
Continue the pattern, repeating the cable steps accordingly. And ta-da! You've knitted a cabled headband ear warmer!
Using the bulky yarn and size 11 needles called for in the pattern makes the headbands knit up quickly, too. I found I could finish one in a couple nights of TV watching - and I'm not a fast knitter at all.
I hope you find this helpful and that you are inspired to try cables if you haven't! If you have, then you are going to love this pattern, how quickly it knits up, and what a great present they make with the printable gift labels.
Click Here to access the free pattern on Ravelry (thank you to Nancy Ricci for sharing her Vanessa Headband with us!)
BONUS: my friend Amy at MomAdvice created a video showing how easy it is to make the cables for these headbands. Go here to see it on You Tube - it makes it even easier!
Free Printable Gift Labels for Easy Knitted Cable Headbands {+ Cable Tutorial}
Tools
- Knitting needles size US 11 - 8.0 mm
- Printer
Materials
- 80-90 yds Bulky (7 wpi) weight yarn
Instructions
- (On a knit row, cable row, according to pattern- row 3 at beginning of pattern)Knit one stitch (I knit everything now on Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Needles – I LOVE them, no ends of straight needles flapping around and easy to carry with you in a bag.)Slip next three stitches onto a small 6-inch bamboo double-pointed needle in FRONT of headband. Note: you can also try these more traditional cable needles or these indented wood cable needles. I like using the double-pointed needles because I either have them or can use new sizes in other patterns (vs. one-use cable needles).
- Pick up knitting behind the bamboo needle on the main row. Yes it’s tight and a bit awkward, but it becomes second nature after awhile. This is why a bamboo needle helps – it’s surface grabs the wool yard so it doesn’t slide off as easily as metal would.
- Knit 3 stitches on the main row.
- Slide the 3 stitches on the bamboo needle to the right end and twist a bit so you can start knitting the 3 stitches from the bamboo needle to the main needle.Knit all stitches off of the bamboo needle.
- Set the short needle aside and finish knitting the row regularly.
- Continue with the pattern until you come to the next row needing the left side cable (row 7 at beginning of pattern).Knit 7 stitches before slipping the next 3 stitches onto the bamboo needle, this time leaving the needle at the BACK of the headband.With your main needles, knit 3, leaving just one stitch on your main needle. TIP: pull the needle up so the stitch is down the needle (or on the cable if using the interchangeable needles) to keep the needle from falling out.
- Like before, slide the stitches to the right, bringing the bamboo needle forward to be able to knit the stitches off of the bamboo needle.
- Knit the final stitch with the main needles.
- Continue the pattern, repeating the cable steps accordingly. And ta-da! You’ve knitted a cabled headband ear warmer!Using the bulky yarn and size 11 needles called for in the pattern makes the headbands knit up quickly, too. I found I could finish one in a couple nights of TV watching – and I’m not a fast knitter at all.
And let me know if you make these and how they turned out with the gift labels - tag me on Instagram or Facebook to share a picture!
Other knitted gift ideas you may like:
Knitted Boot Cuffs with Free Printable Tags
Quick Basketweave Knitted Throw
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