McIntire is a reversible headband with honeycomb cables on one side and rows of small cables on the other. The many intricate cables make this a perfect project for the detail-oriented knitter. The headband is knit in the round to create a long tube that wraps around the head. The ends of the tube are then grafted together, creating an invisible seam. The extensive cabling highlights the natural beauty of the Greenwood Hill Farm yarn.

This design is part of our collection for New England Farm to Fiber, a “farm yarn” stall at the Boston Public Market, to bring you a collection of accessories highlighting minimally processed, undyed, heritage sheep yarn from local farms throughout New England. Yarn and Kits are available for purchase from New England Farm to Fiber.

SIZING
4” wide. To determine the length of the headband, measure your head circumference or see www.craftyarncouncil.com/headsize.html for average head sizes. The length of the headband should have about 1” of negative ease (i.e. it should be about 1” less than the measured head circumference). However the amount of ease needed will ultimately depend on how much stretch your yarn has.

YARN

Approximately 215-250yds of DK or light worsted weight yarn.

Sample 1 used 2 skeins Greenwood Hill Farm 100% Merino DK yarn (100% Merino Wool; 180yds/50g, DK)Sample shown in Silver.

Sample 2 used 1 skein of Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% wool, 50% alpaca; 215 yds/100g, Worsted). Sample shown in Winter Rice.

NEEDLES
Size 5 (3.75mm) set of double-pointed needles (dpns) or 32” circular needles for magic loop.
Size 3 (3.25mm) or smaller set of dpns or or 32” circular needles. These smaller needles will only be used to hold stitches during grafting, so any needle size smaller than gauge needles will work.

GAUGE
31 stitches and 30 rounds = 4 inches in cable pattern

NOTIONS
Cable needle (optional), tapestry needle, stitch markers

SKILLS USED
Casting on with the long tail method, working knit and purl stitches, knitting in the round, cabling, cabling without a cable needle (optional), and grafting live stitches to the cast on edge. Resources for cabling without a cable needle and grafting are provided.

QUESTIONS?
Have a question or comment about this pattern? Feel free to ravmail me, email me at meghan@newenglandknitting.com, or post in the New England Knitting group.

Items made from this pattern may be sold by an individual. Items made from this pattern may not be sold by a company or corporation without permission.