A knit headband keeps your ears warm without flattening your hair, and it is one of the fastest things you can make. Most use less than one skein, so they are also great for leftover yarn and last-minute gifts.
Here are 11 free knit headband and ear warmer patterns we checked one by one. There are twisted headbands for beginners, a sweet bow headband, a button ear warmer, a few cabled designs and a colorwork band for when you want to try Fair Isle.
Knit Headband Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted or bulky wool-blend yarn
- Straight knitting needles
- 16″ circular needles for headbands in the round
- Cable needle
- Tapestry needle
- Large buttons for button ear warmers
1. Garter Be Kidding Me Bow Headband
Photo: Knitkatpaddywhack
This one is all garter stitch. You knit a small square for the bow, fold it into pleats and wrap the middle, then knit a narrow band and sew the bow on. The designer calls it a super quick knit and ideal for a new knitter. It is sweet for kids and adults alike.
- Designer: Knitkatpaddywhack
- Skill level: see pattern (designer says ideal for new knitters)
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6), straight
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Knit Twisted Headband
Photo: Designs by Phanessa
The twisted front of this headband is easier than it looks. You knit a stockinette tube, close it, and sew the ends with a twist. There is also a flat option if you are not ready for the round. Two sizes are included, and free video tutorials walk you through each step.
- Designer: Designs by Phanessa
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Reagan Earwarmer
Photo: Crafts by Sarah Liz
A very stretchy ear warmer in knit 1, purl 2 ribbing, finished with one big button. It takes less than 66 yards of worsted yarn, so it is perfect for scraps. You knit it in the round for about 4 inches, bind off loosely, and sew the ends together. One size fits most adults.
- Designer: Crafts by Sarah Liz
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), under 66 yards
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7), 16″ circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Thermal Twist Headwrap
Photo: Two of Wands
This headwrap is knit as a tube, so it is double thick and extra warm. A broken rib pattern of knit and purl rounds gives it a squishy texture. At the end you twist the tube once and join the ends with mattress stitch, which hides the seam inside. The designer rates it easy.
- Designer: Two of Wands
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8), 16″ circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Spring Cabled Crown
Photo: Mama in a Stitch
A chunky headband with a single 8-stitch cable down the middle and garter edges. It is knit flat on only 10 stitches and then seamed, so it is very quick. The designer says it is a great project if it is your first time trying cables. Super bulky yarn makes the cable big and easy to see.
- Designer: Mama in a Stitch
- Skill level: see pattern (designer suggests it as a first cable project)
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: US 15
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Hot Mess Headband
A ribbed headband with a small cable in the center, about 3 inches wide. It is knit flat, and the designer also gives tips for a seamless version with a provisional cast-on and grafting. One skein of worsted merino is enough. The free PDF is offered at no cost from the yarn company.
- Designer: Ewe Ewe Yarns
- Skill level: Easy (Level 2)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), 1 skein
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Ruby Beach Headband
Photo: Tolt Yarn and Wool (Rachel Kieselburg)
Not every headband has to be for winter. This thin, quick headband is made to keep hair out of your face while camping or hiking. You can close it with a button or with long ends that tie. Fingering weight yarn keeps it light and comfortable in warm weather.
- Designer: Tolt Yarn and Wool (Rachel Kieselburg)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Woven Cable Headband
Photo: Erica and Eleanor (Priscillia Uloho)
A pretty headband with a woven-looking cable, knit flat and seamed. Aran yarn gives the cables good definition. It is marked intermediate, so it is a nice next step after a simple single-cable band. The pattern is free on the designer’s own site.
- Designer: Erica and Eleanor (Priscillia Uloho)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Calisson
Photo: Berroco Design Team
Calisson is a bold headband with a big braided cable framed by seed stitch. It is knit in a chunky yarn that comes in many colors, so you can match it to your favorite coat. Seed stitch edges lie flat and add a nice texture next to the smooth cable.
- Designer: Berroco Design Team
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Chunky (Berroco Vintage Chunky)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Cablerimetry
Photo: The Kninja (Meg White)
A clever ear warmer with ribbed sides shaped by short rows and a cable panel across the top. The shaping makes it wider over the ears and narrower at the back, so it fits well. The designer notes it can come out small for tight knitters, so check your gauge first.
- Designer: The Kninja (Meg White)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Enid
Photo: Ann Kingstone
Enid is a stranded colorwork headband with several color changes. It is a small, friendly project for learning Fair Isle, and it includes tutorials on two-handed colorwork and spit-splicing to join new colors without lots of ends. It fits head sizes from 21 to 23 inches.
- Designer: Ann Kingstone
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First headband? Start with #1, the bow headband. All garter stitch.
- Want the classic twisted look? #2 Knit Twisted Headband or #4 Thermal Twist Headwrap.
- Using up scraps? #3 Reagan Earwarmer needs less than 66 yards.
- Trying cables for the first time? #5 Spring Cabled Crown has just one cable on 10 stitches.
- Ready to learn colorwork? #11 Enid is a small, low-risk Fair Isle project.
FAQ
How long should a knit headband be?
Measure around your head where the headband will sit, usually across the forehead and over the ears. Most adult heads are 21 to 23 inches. Knit the band 1 to 3 inches shorter than that, because ribbing and stretchy stitches will expand. Try it on before you bind off.
What yarn is best for knit ear warmers?
Wool or a wool blend is best for warmth, and it has a little stretch so the band stays in place. Worsted and bulky weights are the most popular. If wool feels itchy, try a soft merino or an acrylic blend. For a summer headband, cotton or a fine fingering yarn works well.
How do I make a twisted knit headband?
Knit a long rectangle or tube. Fold it in half so the short ends meet, then fold one end over the other to cross them. Sew through all layers to join, and turn the band so the seam sits inside. Patterns #2 and #4 above walk you through it step by step.
Grab a skein of something soft and make a headband this weekend, then make a few more for gifts.
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