Totally Cabled headband

Totally Cabled Headband by Natalia Pleshko

What is Being Made

The Totally Cabled headband is a knitted accessory designed to fit various head sizes while offering customizable width options. This headwear project features a cable stitch pattern as its primary design element, making it both a functional and decorative piece. The headband is available in two width options—4 inches (10 cm) or 5 inches (12.5 cm)—and four different sizes to accommodate head circumferences ranging from 19 to 23 inches (48 to 58 cm), ensuring a proper fit for XS, S, M, and L sizes.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs cable stitch techniques as the foundation of its construction. The cable stitch creates a textured, three-dimensional pattern that runs along the length of the headband. The pattern includes knit and purl stitches worked through the back loop, which adds depth and visual interest to the finished piece. The headband is worked flat, allowing knitters to use either straight or circular needles of any length, making this project accessible to knitters with various needle preferences.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) — the fundamental stitch that creates the base fabric
• Purl (P) — used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern variation
• Through the back loop (tbl) — a technique that twists stitches for added definition and texture
• Cable stitch — the signature stitch that gives this headband its name and distinctive twisted, rope-like appearance

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for 1 skein of Lang Yarns Aymara, a luxurious blend of 40% Alpaca, 30% Merino, and 30% Rayon. This yarn is available at 148 yards (135 meters) per 50-gram skein and is classified as light worsted weight. The yardage requirements vary by size and width: the 4-inch wide versions require 77 to 99 yards (70 to 90 meters), while the 5-inch wide versions require 95 to 121 yards (86 to 110 meters) depending on the size selected. Any light worsted weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content may be substituted.

Needles: US size 6 (4 mm) straight or circular needles of any length are required for this project. The flexibility in needle type makes this pattern suitable for knitters with different needle preferences and collections.

Additional Notions: A cable needle is essential for crossing stitches to create the cable pattern, and a tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends and finishing the headband.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when working the cable stitch pattern with slight stretching. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the headband fits properly and maintains its intended dimensions. The finished headband measures 16.5 to 19.5 inches (42 to 49.5 cm) in circumference depending on the size, with the width options of 4 or 5 inches (10 or 12.5 cm).

Difficulty Level

Classified as a beginner-friendly project, the Totally Cabled headband is an excellent introduction to cable knitting techniques. Despite featuring cable stitches—which may seem advanced—the straightforward construction and relatively small project size make it manageable for knitters new to this decorative technique. The pattern provides clear abbreviations and straightforward instructions suitable for those building their knitting skills.