Inside: Free patterns for loom knit cabled headbands: Rope Cable and Squiggle Cable. Includes instructions and tutorial video teaching how to loom knit 2 over 2 cables.
Let’s twist again!
My loom knit Cabled Headbands have all the intricate twists and turns your expect from a cable design. But they’re more than a pretty headwear accessory. Made with bulky yarn these thick headbands also stand up to the bitter cold of the harshest winter.
Keep off the chill with these two beautiful designs. The Rope Cable Headband uses a simple cable close together to create the traditional twisted rope design. The Squiggle Cable Headband features a cable that twists left and right meandering in a playful design.
Pattern includes written instructions for both designs and links to a fully captioned tutorial video demonstrating the cables.
Loom Knit Cabled Headbands
By Kristen Mangus
A downloadable PDF of this pattern is available in my Etsy store or from Ravelry at the links below:
MATERIALS
(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links costs you nothing, but helps support GKK.)
Yarn
Bulky (#5) weight yarn
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky (211 yds/5 oz., 193 m/142 g) in color Sage used in sample. 1 ball of yarn.
Loom
⅝” large gauge (LG) loom with 14-16 pegs*.
KB Flexee Loom Chunky used in sample.
*Because of the cables, I recommend using the Flexee Loom for this pattern as it is flexible and makes cables without a cable needle. You can substitute another loom but WILL need a cable needle.
Notions
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers as needed
GAUGE 4 sts x 5 rows = 1” (2.5 cm) in 2×2 ribbing
SKILL LEVEL
Rope Cable Headband – Beginner+
Squiggle Cable Headband – Intermediate
MEASUREMENT
Approx. 3” wide x 21.5” long* (7.6 x 54.5 cm)
*Finished headband should measure 2-2.5” less than head circumference of wearer. Adjust length to fit the wearer.
ABBREVIATIONS
2/2LC = 2 over 2 Left Cable
2/2RC = 2 over 2 Right Cable
K = U wrap knit
Rep = Repeat
Sl = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
For a refresher on loom knitting basics see the blog posts below to get started:
13 Questions for Beginner Loom Knitters
How to Loom Knit Basics (cast on, knit, purl, & bind off)
How to Loom Knit Basic Stitch Patterns (garter st, seed st and ribbing)
How to Loom Knit in the Round
NOTES
Cast on: I recommend the chain cast on or E wrap flat cast on.
Bind off: I recommend the basic bind off in-pattern. “In pattern” means you knit the knits and purl the purls as you work your bind off.
U-Wrap knit: I recommend using the u-wrap knit stitch in this pattern. Using an E-wrap knit stitch does not create a smooth cable and will increase the size of the headband.
NOTE: Because The E-wrap is a twisted knit stitch the cable twists are hidden in a sea of twisted stitches.(See image below.)
Slip stitch: To slip a stitch, bring the working yarn behind the peg and move on the next peg.
Ribbing: 2 x 2 ribbing (knit 2, purl 2) is used in this pattern as the border for the cable.
Headband length: Measure the circumference of the head then subtract 2-2.5” (5-6.5 cm). Be sure to measure as you knit and adjust the number of pattern repeats to get the correct length.
Loom setup: Start with 3 DARK rounded links and connect 2 LIGHT rounded links. Now connect 3 DARK rounded links. Place marker (shown in silver in photo) on the second peg of the 1st dark link to mark the beginning of the row. This is where you will end your cast on and begin Row 1. The two LIGHT links in the middle will be used for the cable.
NOTE: I suggest using ONLY the rounded Flexee Loom links but if you don’t have enough you should be sure to use them for cable stitches and for a couple links before and after the cable. This will make it much easier to move the stitches when cabling. Feel free to add more links and connect in the round if it helps you to hold the loom easier while knitting. Only 14 pegs will be used.
Right vs. Left Cables: Beginning the cable from the left side produces a LEFT leaning cable and an approach from the right side makes a RIGHT leaning cable. Since the cable stitches have a specific direction the instructions are the same for both right and left handed loom knitters.
Cable Instructions: Instructions are written specifically for the Flexee Loom Links, but additional notes are given in parentheses () for how to use a traditional loom and cable needle.
Rope Cable Headband
NOTES
Our Rope Cabled Headband features a single cable repeated every 4 rows. If you prefer more spacing between the cables, add extra rows by repeating Rows 10 of the Cable Pattern two or four additional times.
Start chain cast on from right to left to work left leaning cables. If right leaning cables desired, cast on from left to right and use a 2/2RC (see instructions in Squiggle Cable Headband NOTES.)
2/2LC: 2 over 2 Left Cable*– Knitting from left to right, remove next 2 pegs (1 link) from loom and hold to back (or place first 2 sts on cable needle and hold back). Connect loom and knit next 2 sts (or work next 2 sts and move forward to empty pegs). Bring yarn to front, disconnect next link and connect held loom link back on loom (or place sts back on empty peg). Knit next 2 sts. Using loom tool tug each cabled stitch to make sure the tension is even. This is a left leaning cable. TIP: Knit the first stitch on the held stitches before moving to ease tension as needed. Stitches will be tight on next row but will ease up by next cable row.
*Instructions in parentheses above are for using a traditional loom and cable needle instead of the Flexee Loom Links.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 14 stitches from right to left. (If using loom setup above with 16 pegs, begin on 2nd peg on right.)
Set Up for Cables:
Row 1: Sl. K2, P2, K4, P2, K3.
Rows 2-8: Rep Row 1.
Cable Pattern:
Row 9: Sl. K2, P2. 2/2LC, P2, K3.
Row 10-12: Sl. K2, P2, K4, P2, K3.
Rep Rows 9-12 25 times [approx 20” (51 cm)] or until desired length.
NOTE: Pull downward firmly to relax stitches then release before measuring headband.
Rep Row 1 eight times or to desired length.
Finishing:
Bind off in pattern leaving long tail for seaming.
From wrong side, sew ends together without twisting the headband. Weave in ends.
PIN IT!
Squiggle Cable Headband
NOTES
The Squiggle Cable Headband uses both right and left twist cables.
2/2LC: 2 over 2 Left Cable*– Knitting from left to right, remove next 2 pegs (1 link) from loom and hold to back (or place first 2 sts on cable needle and hold back). Connect loom and knit next 2 sts (or work next 2 sts and move forward to empty pegs). Bring yarn to front, disconnect next link and connect held loom link back on loom (or place sts back on empty pegs). Knit next 2 sts. Using loom tool tug each cabled stitch to make sure the tension is even. This is a left leaning cable. TIP: Knit the first stitch on the held stitches before moving to ease tension as needed. Stitches will be tight on next row but will ease up by next cable row. [Left Cables are worked on ODD rows in this pattern].
2/2RC: 2 over 2 Right Cable*– Knitting from right to left, remove next 2 pegs (1 link) from loom and hold to back (or place first 2 sts on cable needle and hold back). Connect loom and knit next 2 sts (or work next 2 sts and move forward to empty pegs). Bring yarn to front, disconnect next link and connect held loom link back on loom (or place sts back on empty pegs). Knit next 2 sts. Using loom tool tug each cabled stitch to make sure the tension is even. This is a right leaning cable. TIP: Knit the first stitch on the held stitches before moving to ease tension as needed. Stitches will be tight on next row but will ease up for next cable row. [Right Cables are worked on EVEN rows in this pattern].
*Instructions in parentheses above are for using a traditional loom and cable needle instead of the Flexee Loom Links.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 14 stitches from right to left. (If using loom setup above with 16 pegs, begin on 2nd peg on right.)
Set Up for Cables:
Row 1-8: Sl. K2, P2, K4, P2, K3.
Cable Pattern:
Row 9: Sl. K2, P2. 2/2LC, P2, K3.
Rows 10-14: Rep Row 1.
Rows 15: Rep Row 9 once.
Rows 16-23: Rep Row 1.
[Serpentine Right]
Row 24: Sl. K2, P2. 2/2RC, P2, K3.
Rows 25-28: Rep Row 1.
Row 29: Sl. K2, P2. 2/2LC, P2, K3.
Rows 31-33: Rep Row 1.
Rows 34-43: Rep Rows 24-33 once.
Rows 44: Rep Row 1.
Rows 45-52: Rep Row 1.
Rep Cable Pattern Rows 9-52 once.
Rep Cable Pattern Rows 9-23 once.
[Headband should measure approximately 21” (53.5 cm).]
If needed, rep Row 1 until desired length.
NOTE: Pull downward firmly to relax stitches then release before measuring headband.
Finishing:
Bind off in pattern leaving long tail for seaming.
From wrong side, sew ends together without twisting the headband.
Weave in ends.
Loom Knit Cabled Headbands Tutorial Video
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This vdeo is not a full loom along tutorial. It covers the right and left 2 over 2 cables (2/2RC, 2/2LC) used in this pattern. If you need a refresher on the other skills used in this project, the posts below cover them in detail.
Cast on, knit, purl and bind off
2×2 Ribbing