Free Printable Gift Labels for Easy Knitted Cable Headbands {+ Cable Tutorial}
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.
Calories:
Equipment
- 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.
