Pretty with a bow on top
Knit a stylish bow headband and matching fingerless mitts
This bow headband is made from a knitted strip whose ends are tied together. Complete the look with bow-adorned fingerless mitts that are nearly as effortless to knit.
Size: women’s size. The headband circumference is about 55 cm.
Bow headband and fingerless mitts: supplies
- For the headband: about 50 g of gray (402) Novita Wool Cotton yarn (55% merino wool, 45% cotton; 50 g = 112 m)
- For the fingerless mitts: slightly less than 100 g of gray (402) Novita Wool Cotton yarn
- Double-pointed needles 3.5 mm (US 4)–4 mm (US 6), or size needed to obtain gauge.
Stitch patterns:
Half brioche stitch:
- Row 1 (wrong side): knit all sts.
- Row 2: knit the first st, *insert the needle into the st below the next st, knit 1, purl 1*. Repeat from * to * to the end of the row and knit the last st. Repeat rows 1–2.
Stockinette stitch in the round (for the fingerless mitts): knit all sts.
Rib stitch: *knit 1, purl 1*. Repeat from * to *.
Gauge: 22 sts and 37 rows in half brioche stitch = 10 cm.
The headband is knit in half brioche st, as is the cuff section of the fingerless mitts. The tapered ends are shaped first by increasing sts, then decreasing.
Bow headband and fingerless mitts: instructions
Bow headband
- Cast on 1 st on double pointed needles and knit it three times: first through the front loop, then through the back loop, and once more through the front loop = 3 sts. Knit the next row.
- Begin the half brioche stitch with row 1 and increase 2 sts as follows: knit 1 edge st, make 1 st by knitting the bar between the sts through the back loop, knit the center st, make 1 as before, and knit the last edge st = 5 sts. Knit the next row in half brioche stitch without increasing. From now on, increase 2 sts every other row as before until you have 21 sts. Then continue working half brioche without any more increases until the piece measures about 75 cm when slightly stretched, measured from the tip.
- Begin the decreases on row 1 of the half brioche stitch. Knit the first edge st and work an skp decrease (= slip 1 knitwise, knit 1 and pass the slipped st over). Continue in half brioche until 3 sts remain. Knit 2 sts together and knit the last edge st. Repeat these decreases every other row until you have 5 sts left and are on row 1 of the half brioche. Knit the edge st, slip 1 st, knit 2 sts together, and pass the slipped st over. Knit the last edge st. Turn work and repeat the same decrease for the remaining sts. Pull the yarn through the final st. Before cutting the yarn, check that the headband is the right length. Weave in the ends on the wrong side and steam the headband lightly. Tie the ends of the strip in a knot and pull it tight.
Fingerless mitts
Begin the fingerless mitts by knitting the bow on the cuff sideways in half brioche stitch. Then pick up sts along its edges for the hand.
- First knit the left-hand mitt. Cast on 1 st on double pointed needles for the cuff and knit it three times: first through the front loop, then through the back loop, and once more through the front loop = 3 sts. Knit the next row. Begin the half brioche stitch with row 1 and increase 2 sts as follows: knit the first edge st, make 1 by knitting the bar between the sts through the back loop, knit the center st, make 1 as before, and knit the last edge st = 5 sts. Knit the next row in half brioche without increasing. Continue increasing 2 sts every other row as before until you have 13 sts. Then continue in half brioche without any more increases until the length from the tip is about 37 cm when slightly stretched.
- Begin decreasing for the cuff on row 1 of the half brioche stitch. Knit the first edge st and work and skp (= slip 1 knitwise, knit 1 and pass the slipped st over). Work the half brioche until 3 sts remain. Knit 2 sts together and knit the last edge st. Repeat these decreases every other row until you have 5 sts left and are on row 1 of the half brioche. Knit the edge st, slip 1 st, knit 2 sts together, and pass the slipped st over. Knit the last edge st. Turn work and do the same decrease on the final sts. Pull the yarn through the last st. Tie the ends of your work in a tight knot.
- Pick up 44 sts along the cuff edges. Distribute them on four needles so the knot is between Needle I and Needle IV. Knit 4 rounds in stockinette stitch. Work needles I and II in stockinette, then begin thumb gusset increases on needle III. Increase 2 sts as follows: knit 7 sts, make 1 by knittingthe bar between the sts through the back loop, knit until 2 sts remain, make 1 as before, and knit to the end of the round. Repeat these increases every third round 5 times, until there are 14 sts in the thumb gusset. Knit 1 round, then place those 14 sts on a holder. Cast on 2 sts in their place and continue in stockinette stitch.
- Work 4 cm in stockinette for the hand. Then knit 4 rounds of rib and bind off in rib. Finally, knit the thumb. Place the 14 thumb gusset sts back on your needles and pick up 2 sts at the thumb base = 16 sts total. Distribute them on three needles. Knit 4 rounds of stockinette, then 4 rounds of rib. Bind off in rib.
- Knit the right-hand mitt in the same way, but start the thumb gusset increases on needle II. Knit 2, make 1, knit until 7 sts remain, make 1. Repeat these increases every third round until there are 14 sts in the gusset. Finish as with the left-hand mitt.
You can adjust the headband’s circumference by tightening the knot. It’s best to make the headband snug at first, as the knit can stretch a bit with wear.
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