The Woven Cable Headband by Priscillia Uloho is a beautifully textured ear warmer that turns classic cable knitting into an eye-catching woven design.
Worked flat with Aran-weight yarn and then seamed, this free knitting pattern is a manageable way to practice cable techniques without committing to a large project.
The original pattern is still available free from the designer's website, making this an excellent small project for knitters ready to move beyond basic knit-and-purl textures.
Design and featured photos: Priscillia Uloho / Erica and Eleanor.
Woven Cable Headband Pattern Overview
- Pattern: Woven Cable Headband
- Designer: Priscillia Uloho
- Original publication: August 2019
- Project: Headband / ear warmer
- Size: Adult
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn weight: Aran
- Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
- Yarn required: Approximately 50g / 100 yards
- Needles: 5 mm straight knitting needles
- Construction: Worked flat and seamed
- Main technique: Cable knitting
- Pattern availability: Free from the designer
About the Woven Cable Headband
The standout feature of this headband is the interlocking cable motif running across the fabric.
Instead of a single cable traveling vertically through the project, several cable sections interact to produce the appearance of knitted strands weaving over and under one another.
The result looks intricate, but the project remains relatively compact and is worked back and forth on ordinary straight knitting needles.
Finished Size
The designer describes the pattern as an adult-size headband. The finished headband is approximately:
- Width: 4 inches / about 10 cm
- Length: 18 inches / about 46 cm after 14 repeats
Because head circumference and knitting tension vary, check the length against the intended wearer before finishing and seaming the ends.
Yarn for the Woven Cable Headband
The original design uses approximately 50g of Aran-weight yarn. The designer used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran.
Ravelry lists the project at approximately 100 yards / 91 meters, making this a relatively small-yarn project.
A smooth yarn with good stitch definition is particularly useful here because it helps the woven cable structure remain clearly visible.
Needles and Materials
For the original pattern, the designer specifies:
- 5 mm straight knitting needles
- A cable needle
- A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
- Craft scissors
- Approximately 50g of Aran-weight yarn
Always check the original pattern before casting on in case the designer updates any of the pattern information.
Gauge
The pattern information lists a gauge of approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
Gauge matters for a headband because the finished circumference determines whether it sits comfortably around the head.
If your knitting is substantially tighter or looser than the designer's, adjustments may be needed before seaming.
How the Headband Is Constructed
One of the appealing features of this design is its straightforward construction.
The headband is knitted flat, back and forth, rather than worked in the round.
Once the required length has been reached, the cast-on and bound-off ends are joined to form the finished headband.
This makes the project particularly convenient for knitters who enjoy cables but prefer working with straight needles.
Understanding the Woven Cable Effect
The woven appearance comes from alternating cable crossings.
Some groups of stitches are held toward the front of the work while others are held toward the back. Changing the direction of these crossings creates the interlaced appearance.
The surrounding stitch texture provides contrast, helping the raised cable sections stand out from the background.
Skill Level
The pattern is classified as Intermediate.
Useful skills for this project include:
- Casting on
- Knitting and purling
- Working back and forth in rows
- Following a repeating stitch pattern
- Using a cable needle
- Working left- and right-crossing cables
- Binding off
- Mattress stitch or another neat seaming method
- Weaving in yarn ends
A Good Project for Practicing Cables
Large cable projects such as sweaters and blankets can involve many hours of knitting. A headband provides a much smaller canvas on which to practice the same basic technique.
The repeating woven motif gives you frequent opportunities to work cable crossings, helping the movement of the stitches become more familiar as the project progresses.
And because the headband is knitted flat, you can concentrate on the cable pattern without simultaneously learning circular knitting.
Tips for a Neater Cable Headband
Keep the cable crossings consistent. Check whether stitches need to be held at the front or back before making each crossing.
Watch your tension around the cables. The stitches immediately beside a crossing can become loose if the working yarn is not kept reasonably consistent.
Count your repeats. Keeping a simple tally makes it easier to reproduce the intended length.
Check the fit before seaming. Wrap the unfinished strip gently around the intended wearer's head before joining the ends.
Finishing the Headband
After the knitting is complete, the two ends are joined to turn the flat strip into a wearable headband.
The designer recommends seaming the ends and then weaving in the remaining yarn tails.
A neat seam is worthwhile because it helps the headband sit comfortably and keeps the cable design as visually continuous as possible.
Why the Woven Cable Headband Is Worth Knitting
This pattern packs an impressive amount of texture into a relatively small project.
It is particularly appealing if you want to practice cables, use a modest amount of Aran yarn, or create a handmade cold-weather accessory without starting a full hat or garment.
The finished headband also makes a practical handmade gift because the interwoven cable texture gives a simple accessory a distinctive knitted look.
Get the Free Woven Cable Headband Pattern
The complete pattern is currently available free from Priscillia Uloho on the Erica and Eleanor website.
Use the original designer source below for the complete stitch instructions, cable sequence and finishing directions.
Get the Free Woven Cable Headband Pattern →
Pattern Availability
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Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The Woven Cable Headband design and original knitting instructions belong to Priscillia Uloho. This guide provides project information and directs knitters to the designer's authorized pattern page rather than reproducing the complete pattern.