Ostrich Headwrap

Ostrich Plumes Hair Tie by Jenise Hope

Project Overview

The Ostrich Plumes Hair Tie is an advanced knitting pattern designed to create an elegant lace headwrap measuring approximately 8.5 inches wide by 62 inches long. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Jenise Hope combines delicate lace techniques with functional wearability, making it suitable for those with intermediate to advanced knitting experience.

What is Being Made

This pattern creates a decorative hair tie or headwrap featuring an intricate lace design inspired by ostrich plumes. The finished piece functions as both a practical hair accessory and a beautiful knitted garment that can be worn as a scarf or wrap. The elongated rectangular dimensions provide versatility in styling options.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Ostrich Plumes Hair Tie employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive feathered appearance:

• Yarn overs (yo) create the openwork lace pattern and add visual lightness to the design
• Decreases including k2tog (knit two together), k3tog (knit three together), and ssk (slip, slip, knit) shape the lace motifs and control fabric density
• Garter stitch used for the border sections to provide structure and prevent curling
• Lace patterning creates the characteristic plume-like openwork throughout the main body of the piece

Stitches Required

Knitters should be comfortable with the following fundamental stitches before beginning this pattern:

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Yarn over (yo)
• Knit two together (k2tog)
• Knit three together (k3tog)
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk)
• Casting on and binding off techniques

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Knit Picks Shadow Tonal, a 100% merino wool yarn in the Queen Anne colorway. One skein of 440 yards per 50 grams is required to complete the project. The lace weight yarn creates the delicate, feathered appearance characteristic of the design.

Needles: Size 6.5 mm straight needles are used for this pattern.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 29 stitches and 12 rows to 4 inches when worked in the pattern stitch and lightly blocked. The designer notes that exact gauge is not critically important for this project; knitters can begin without a formal swatch and adjust as needed based on the appearance of their work.

Pattern Construction

The pattern begins with casting on 61 stitches and includes garter stitch border rows followed by the complex lace pattern. The lace motifs are created through strategic placement of yarn overs and multiple decrease types, resulting in the distinctive ostrich plume effect. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch placement and counting to maintain the integrity of the lace design across the full width and length of the piece.

Skill Level

This pattern is classified as advanced and is best suited for knitters with solid experience in lace knitting techniques. The combination of multiple decrease types, yarn overs, and the need to maintain pattern consistency across a lengthy piece requires concentration and familiarity with reading lace charts or written instructions accurately.