Adjustable Shells Headband

If you love headbands and the shell stitch, look no further... This is the best, most amazing Adjustable Shells headband you'll ever need - use ANY yarn / hook and crochet to ANY width / size!

This accessory pattern includes written directions for crocheting gorgeous shell stitch headbands – of any width, in any yarn weight, for any head size from newborn to adult. Bonus photo tutorial and video tutorial is also included!
​
This project is part of my contribution to the Designer's Potpourri CAL for December 2016, and is one of three headband patterns I will be sharing this month. See all 3 gorgeous headbands here.

Creating crochet headband patterns is something I have been wanting to do for years, but there was always another project that was more pressing. The Designer's Potpourri CAL gave me the opportunity to check a few headband designs of my list, which was really great!

One of my most favourite things about each of my new headband designs is how flexible they are. No need to go hunting for yarn for this project - not to say you can't, you totally should if you want to and can do so - but you can use whatever you've got on hand, no matter the weight. 

It's so easy to get the right fit, and one size will fit many!

Do you prefer a relaxed, loose fit? Crochet more rows. Do you prefer a tighter fit? Crochet fewer rows.

Do you like your headbands nice and wide? Add more starting stitches to the first row!

Or do you prefer a dainty, delicated headband? That's great too! Simply start with fewer stitches. :D

UPDATE - January 2017: This crochet pattern was available to view for free on this page for the month of December 2016 ONLY. Now, this crochet pattern is exclusively available as a printer friendly, 6-page PDF download. GRAB IT HERE for only $3.75, or buy ALL three headband patterns together and the third pattern will be completely free of charge. Thank you for your support! 

The accompanying photos and video tutorial will remain here as support for those with this pattern. 

Queue it, LOVE it, and Add your Adjustable Shells Headband projects to Ravelry here!

---

This pattern is copyrighted to Rebeckah Ferger of www.rebeckahstreasures.com. It is for personal use only.  No part of this pattern may be copied or distributed in any way. If you sell what you make from this pattern, please credit me as the designer. All rights reserved, 2016

---

Supplies:

• thread or yarn of choosing in choice colour, suggestions (tip – thicker yarn weights = less yardage):

          - cotton thread size 10 (Circulo Clea / Aunt Lydia’s / DMC Traditions) – less than 10m (12yd).
          - sport (2 : Fine / 5 ply UK) yarn – about 5m (6yd).

• hook of choosing to match yarn weight – go for one of the larger hook sizes for chosen yarn, suggestions:

          - 2.10mm (3 US / 2 UK) hook – works great with cotton thread size 10.
          - 3.75mm (F/5) hook – works great with sport (2 : Fine / 5 ply UK) yarn.

• 1 thin, strong quality elastic hairband (approx. 2.75” (7cm) wide when folded in half) – you can use a smaller elastic, however keep in mind, the wider the elastic, the bigger the stretch. It doesn’t matter if there is a metal clasp or not as it will be hidden.
• stitch markers
• medium-large safety pin
• tapestry yarn needle
• scissors
• ruler/measuring tape

---

Abbreviations: ~USA Terminology Used~

[...] - work stitches between the brackets however many times called for.
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
f/o - fasten off
rem - remain / remaining
rep - repeat
rnd(s) - round(s)
RS - right side
sc - single crochet
shell - work 5 double crochet into 1 stitch or space. 
sk - skip
sl st - slip stitch
sp(s) - space(s)
st(s) - stitch(es)
WS - wrong side

---

Sizing:

This headband was designed to be completely flexible by adjusting yarn weight, hook size, stitch count and the total rows to get desired look.

The headband width is determined by the number of shells per row, whereas the finished circumference is determined by the number of shell rows crocheted + the width of the hair elastic.

Standard Head Circumferences:
It is always best to measure the head circumference of the intended recipient. When this is not possible, use the following size chart as a guide…

• Preemie / Newborn – 12” (30cm)
• Baby (0-6m) – 13” (33cm); (6-12m) – 14” (36cm)
• Toddler (1-3years) – 14-17” (36-43cm)
• Child (3-12years) – 17-18” (43-46cm)
• Teen to Adult (13years+) – 18-22” (46-56cm).

*The finished headband circumference should be shorter than the above measurements by roughly 2-4” (5-10cm). Use a shorter gap for a looser/relaxed headband fit, or a wider gap for a snugger fit.

​
Size of Model/Demo Headbands:

• Lavender – 2 shells wide x 56 rows long = 1.25” (3.5cm) wide x 14.25” (36cm) long (not including elastic – add 2” (5cm) for elastic). Fits a child’s 18” (46cm) – a woman’s 21” (54cm) circumference head. Use cotton thread size 10, a 2.10mm hook and start with 13 sc onto the elastic.
• Mint – 3 shells wide x 60 rows long = 2.25” (5.25cm) wide x 15” (37cm) long (not including elastic – add 2” (5cm) for elastic). Fits a child’s 18” (46cm) – a woman’s 21” (54cm) circumference head. Use cotton thread size 10, a 2.10mm hook and start with 19 sc onto the elastic.
• Dusty Rose – 2 shells wide x 40 rows long = 2.5” (6.5cm) wide x 15” (37cm) long (not including elastic – add 2” (5cm) for elastic). Fits a child’s 18” (46cm) – a woman’s 21” (54cm) circumference head. Use sport yarn, a 3.75mm hook and start with 13 sc onto the elastic.

*NOTE: These headband sizes are approximates. 

Gauge:

Gauge is not important for this pattern. Follow the sizing guidelines to achieve the look you like.

However, if you would like to make similar sized headbands or if you would like to plan in advance the headband width, use these swatch guidelines and the included gauge pattern.

• 3 shells x 8 rows = 2” (5cm) in thread size 10 with a 2.10mm hook.
• 2 shells x 4 rows = 2” (5cm) in sport yarn with a 3.75mm hook.

Pattern for Gauge is included in the PDF pattern.

TIP: Thread/Yarn weight and hook size are flexible. 

​Use thinner yarn weights, such as thread, lace and light fingering, for dainty and delicate headbands. Perfect for people with thinner hair or smaller heads! 

Use thicker yarn weights, such as sport, DK or WW, for thicker, wider and cozy headbands. Perfect for people with thick hair or bigger heads! These will also work great as ear warmers too. ;)

Also, any given headband length should fit multiple sizes with different stretch comfort levels. Especially true for the larger headband sizes!

Pattern Notes:

You should be familiar with basic crochet stitches (chs, sl sts, sc, dc) and working in rows. A special technique you should know is how to sc attach directly onto another item, such as an elastic.

This headband is worked by attaching to an elastic hairband. This allows a good amount of stretch, which secures the headband into place without compressing the head. Make sure you test your elastic first by stretching it out to ensure you have a quality one that won’t break and ruin your headband.

Add more starting sc stitches to the attach row for a wider headband, and fewer starting sc stitches for a narrower headband. Increase or decrease the number of rows according to your needs.

When the number comes after the stitch, crochet across the stitches. However, when the number comes first, this is indicative of an increase, so work them into the same stitch or space as directed.

Additional notes are included as needed throughout the pattern.

---

---

This crochet headband is worked in two parts.

The first part is optional, but highly recommended as it helps to create a narrow end of the headband. This in turn helps the headband to rest comfortably on the wearer’s head.
​
The second part, creates the headband using the basic shell stitch. Since it is worked from side to side with few repeat rows, this helps to make it fully adjustable to suit your size needs. Also, since the rows themselves are repetitive too, you can adjust the headband to ANY width you like!

​Here's how the headbands look from the back...

And here's how they look from the front...

*Click to see this project on Ravelry!

*Click to see this project on Ravelry!

*Click to see this project on Ravelry!

Here are the Tutorial Pictures + Video Tutorial that show how to get started with your headband and how to finish your headband too. *Click on pictures to expand them...

---

If you've enjoyed this headband crochet pattern, please spread the Love and share the Joy!

Tell me what you think! Leave me a comment below, give this pattern a rating and/or favourite this pattern on Ravelry...

---

---

Share pictures of your shell headband! 
TAG @beckastreasures via Instagram or Twitter; ADD your project to Ravelry; or JOIN one of my Crocheting Treasures groups!

---

UPDATE - January 2017: Since this project was part of my contribution to A Designer's Potpourri CAL for December 2016, the PDF version, normally $3.75, was completely FREE of charge for the 3 days of release.

The coupon for the freebie has since expired.

Join the CAL's Facebook Group for extra support here!

---

Thanks Alexandra R., Despina T., Margie E. and Sharon E. for testing the Adjustable Shells Headband crochet pattern for me, and thanks to Theresa P. for your help tech editing this pattern too!

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

If you have any questions, or need pattern help, comment below OR visit my one of my groups / communities on Facebook, Google+ or Ravelry.

​Have a wonderful day!