How to Crochet a Head Band Using Tunisian Crochet
Tunisian--or afghan--crochet creates a dense fabric that is uniquely suited to items intended for winter wear and winter sports accessories.Skiers and snow boarders, in particular, will appreciate being able to keep their ears warm while wearing a headband made especially for them.Tunisian crochet is not difficult to learn; the stitch is reminiscent of knitting. You keep several loops on your hook at the same time, and you don't turn your work at the end of a row.
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Things You'll Need
- Afghan hook
- 1 skein light worsted yarn
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- 2 or 3 stitch markers
Instructions
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Crochet 16 chains onto your afghan hook. Push the hook into the second stitch away from your hook, and hook your yarn and pull up a loop. Now you have two loops on your hook; keep inserting your hook into the next loop, then hook your yarn and pull up a loop until you have reached the end. Do not turn your work.
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Hook your yarn--from your working yarn--and pull it through one loop on your hook. This will be like your turning chain. Begin hooking your yarn and pulling it through two loops until you reach the end of your chain. You should have the beginnings of a dense strip of fabric. Look closely at this strip and notice the vertical "bars."
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You will be working now on what is called the "forward row." Stick your hook from right to left through the second bar away from your hook. Wrap your yarn and pull up a loop. Continue in this way all the way across the row. When you get to the next-to-the-last stitch, push your hook through those last two vertical bars before you pull up a loop.
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Work the "return row." Pull a strand of yarn through one single loop, then through two loops at a time until you have only one loop on your hook. Keep working your forward rows--put your hook through the vertical bar on every forward row--and your return rows--pull a strand of yarn through one loop at the beginning of each return row, then through two loops until you have only one loop on your hook.
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Notice that your fabric tends to curl at the edges. This is normal; when you stitch the edges together, this will disappear. Continue your forward rows and return rows until you have a length of fabric that will fit you or your recipient snugly but comfortably.Measure the length of the headband and ensure that it covers the ears. When you have crocheted enough rows so that you have just enough to overlap and sew the edges together, you can stop crocheting. Fasten off your yarn and weave the ends in.
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Choose which stitch to use when you are sewing the two ends together. To create a strong seam, you'll use the back stitch to join the two edges of your headband. Thread your yarn needle with 18 inches of the same yarn you used to crochet the headband. Join both edges with your stitch markers, two at the corners and one in the center.
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Secure your sewing yarn by making three small stitches--one on top of the other--through both layers of fabric. Put your needle into the fabric, then bring it back up approximately 1/4 inch along your seam. Pull the yarn through. Next, insert your needle from the front into the same spot where it came up into the fabric. Bring that stitch up approximately 1/4 inch further up. Continue in this way until you reach the opposite end of your headband. Try to keep the back stitch as close to the edge of your crochet as possible, so your seam won't be bulky.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to add a bit of color interest, you can use a contrasting color of yarn to use for sewing the edges of your headband together.
This is not the kind of headband where you can chain ties to each edge. Because it's a winter accessory, you want the headband to close around the head as much and as securely as possible.
