Little Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Headband by marianna mel is a sweet, quick-knit accessory featuring a single decorative cable down the center.
The design is especially flexible because the length can be adjusted easily, making it suitable for babies from around 3 months old through older children. It can also be knitted in either DK or Aran-weight yarn depending on how light or cozy you want the finished earwarmer to be.
The complete pattern is currently available free from Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days, the designer's original website.
Design and original pattern © marianna mel / Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days.
Little Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Pattern Overview
- Designer: marianna mel
- Source: Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days
- Pattern: Little Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Headband
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Baby and children's headband / earwarmer
- Published: January 2021
- Age range: Approximately 3 months upwards
- Yarn options: DK or Aran weight
- DK needles: 4 mm
- Aran needles: 5 mm
- Additional tool: Cable needle
- DK yarn amount: Approximately 20 g
- Aran yarn amount: Approximately 30 g
- DK width: Approximately 2¾ in / 7 cm
- Aran width: Approximately 3½ in / 9 cm
- Length: Approximately 12–17 in, adjustable
- Main techniques: Knit, purl, cable knitting, seaming
- Pattern availability: Free from the designer
A Simple Single-Cable Headband
The defining feature of Little Bonnie is the single cable running along the center of the headband.
The cable adds just enough texture to make the project feel more interesting than a basic ribbed or garter-stitch band, while keeping the construction simple enough for knitters who are new to cables.
Because the headband is worked as a narrow strip rather than in the round, it is also an approachable way to practice cable knitting without managing a large project.
Two Yarn Options
The designer provides instructions for both DK and Aran-weight yarn.
Using DK yarn creates a lighter, narrower earwarmer, while Aran yarn produces a thicker and warmer version.
This gives you some control over the final look and warmth without changing the basic cable design.
DK Version
For the lighter DK version, the designer recommends:
- DK-weight yarn
- Approximately 20 g of yarn
- 4 mm knitting needles
- Cable needle
The finished width is approximately 2¾ in / 7 cm.
The published tension is approximately:
22 stitches = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
Aran Version
For a warmer version, the designer suggests:
- Aran-weight yarn
- Approximately 30 g of yarn
- 5 mm knitting needles
- Cable needle
The finished width is approximately 3½ in / 9 cm.
The published tension is approximately:
18 stitches = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
Adjustable Length
One of the best features of this pattern is that the length is very easy to customize.
The designer gives a general range of approximately 12–17 inches, depending on the age and head size of the child.
The suggested guide is:
- 0–3 months: about 12 in
- 3–6 months: about 13 in
- 6–12 months: about 14 in
- 1–3 years: about 15 in
- 3–12 years: about 17 in
These are rough guidelines, so measuring the child's head is always the most reliable approach.
How the Headband Is Constructed
Little Bonnie is worked flat as a long narrow strip.
The cable pattern repeats along the length until the band reaches the desired size.
After binding off, the cast-on and cast-off edges are joined with a short seam, creating the finished circular headband.
This construction is straightforward and avoids the need to knit on a small circumference.
The Cable Pattern
The central cable is worked over four stitches.
The designer explains that the cable can be crossed either to the front or to the back, as long as you remain consistent throughout the project.
That means you can choose the cable direction you find easiest or prefer visually.
A Good First Cable Project
Because the design uses only one repeating cable, Little Bonnie is an excellent small project for learning how cable stitches work.
You do not need to manage multiple crossing directions or complicated cable charts.
Once you understand how to move two stitches onto the cable needle and work them in the new order, the repeat becomes very easy to recognize.
Skills You'll Use
- Casting on
- Knit stitches
- Purl stitches
- Working flat
- Using a cable needle
- Working a 4-stitch cable
- Repeating a short row sequence
- Binding off
- Seaming
- Weaving in ends
Is Little Bonnie Beginner Friendly?
Little Bonnie is a good project for an advanced beginner who already knows how to knit and purl.
The only major new technique is the cable.
Because the project is small and uses a short repeating sequence, it is much less intimidating than learning cables on a sweater or large blanket.
Tips for Neater Cables
Use the same cable direction every time. The designer notes that you can hold the cable needle at the front or back, but consistency is important.
Do not pull too tightly after the cable cross. Tight tension can make the cable section narrower than the surrounding fabric.
Check the cable immediately after working it. It is easier to correct a mistake before several more rows have been knitted.
Use a row counter if needed. The repeat is short, but counting helps prevent accidental extra rows between cable crossings.
Choosing Yarn
This pattern is ideal for leftover yarn because it requires only a small amount.
A smooth yarn with good stitch definition will show the cable more clearly than a very fuzzy yarn.
For children's accessories, also consider softness and washability when choosing the fiber.
Why This Is a Good Scrap-Yarn Project
The DK version needs only around 20 g of yarn, while the Aran version uses roughly 30 g.
That makes Little Bonnie a practical way to use small leftover amounts from larger sweaters, blankets or cardigan projects.
You can also make several headbands in different colors from partial balls of yarn.
Finishing the Headband
Once the band reaches the desired length, bind off and join the two short ends.
Use a neat seam that is secure but not excessively bulky, since this area will sit against the head.
After seaming, weave in the yarn tails carefully.
Want an Adult Version?
Marianna also designed a larger version called Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Headband.
The adult version uses a wider band and additional cables while keeping the same general style.
View the Adult Bonnie Earwarmer Pattern →
Is Little Bonnie a Free Knitting Pattern?
Yes. Little Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Headband is currently available free directly from Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days.
The designer's page includes the complete instructions for both DK and Aran versions.
Amazing Knitting therefore links directly to the original designer source rather than reproducing the complete pattern or using an unofficial copy.
View the Free Little Bonnie Earwarmer Pattern →
Why This Headband Is Worth Knitting
Little Bonnie is a quick, practical project that teaches a useful cable technique without requiring much yarn.
The adjustable length makes it easy to customize for different ages, while the choice between DK and Aran yarn gives you control over the weight and warmth of the finished earwarmer.
It is especially useful as a small gift project, stash buster or first introduction to cable knitting.
Pattern Availability
Amazing Knitting links readers to legitimate designer or publisher sources whenever possible. Pattern prices, download locations and availability can change after an article is published.
Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →
Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The Little Bonnie Cabled Earwarmer Headband design, photos and complete knitting instructions remain the intellectual property of marianna mel / Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days. This guide does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row pattern instructions.
