Soft Baby Headband

A soft, gently stretchy crochet headband, sized by your baby's head measurement. Five sizes cover newborn to 24 months. Each comes with a chart that shows the band exactly as it is worn, a written row for every row, and a small daisy to start with. Keep the daisy or draw your own design on the chart.

The band is worked in rows, then its two short ends are sewn together into a ring. There is nothing to fasten and nothing sewn on.

Choose the size by measuring your baby's head, not by age. Wrap a soft tape just above the eyebrows and over the tops of the ears, snug. If the measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one.

You'll need:

• Soft sport-weight (CYC 2) cotton, cotton blend or smooth acrylic yarn in three colors, about 25 to 45 yd in all depending on the size
• 3.5 mm crochet hook, or size to match gauge
• Yarn needle, scissors and a soft tape measure

Gauge: 20 stitches and 22 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, washed and blocked. Make a swatch first. Pulled gently along the row it should stretch about 20% and spring back. Yarn amounts: weigh your swatch to estimate; amounts vary with tension.

Sizes (finished band, and the heads it fits):

• Newborn: 12.6 in (32 cm) around, 1.6 in tall. Fits heads 13.25 to 14.5 in (33.7 to 36.8 cm). Baby up to 21.5 in tall, 5 to 8 lb.
• 0-3 months: 13.8 in (35 cm) around, 1.6 in tall. Fits heads 14.5 to 15.75 in (36.8 to 40 cm). Baby 21.5 to 24 in tall, 8 to 12.5 lb.
• 3-6 months: 15 in (38 cm) around, 1.6 in tall. Fits heads 15.75 to 17.25 in (40 to 43.8 cm). Baby 24 to 26.5 in tall, 12.5 to 16.5 lb.
• 6-9 months and 9-12 months, includes 9 months: 16.2 in (41 cm) around, 2 in tall. Fits heads 17 to 18.75 in (43.2 to 47.6 cm). Baby 26.5 to 30.5 in tall, 16.5 to 24.5 lb.
• 12-18 months and 18-24 months, includes 18 months: 17 in (43 cm) around, 2 in tall. Fits heads 17.75 to 19.5 in (45.1 to 49.5 cm). Baby 30.5 to 34 in tall, 24.5 to 30 lb.

Heights and weights are typical bands, not promises. Babies' heads vary a lot, so the head measurement decides.

Colors are approximate. Pattern charts, written instructions and a PDF are included in US terms with UK names in brackets.

Important Safety Notes#

Headbands: Make it stretchy and snug, never tight enough to leave a mark. Take it off for sleep. Sew any bow on along its whole base, or leave it off.

Sewn-on pieces: Sew ears, flowers, bows and similar pieces on along their whole base with doubled yarn, never with a few stitches. Tug each piece firmly in every direction; if it moves, sew it again or leave it off.

Yarn and care: Use soft, smooth, washable yarn that does not shed or fuzz, and wash a swatch first. Weave in every end and check inside the finished item for loose strands, which can wrap around a baby's fingers or toes. Wash inside out.

If you sell what you make: Children's products sold in the US must meet CPSC rules, including testing, a Children's Product Certificate and a tracking label. Start at cpsc.gov.