Stretchy Headband and a Hello Kitty Inspired Applique

This blog post is awesome because it's really two patterns in one. Bonus awesomeness!

I'm including both the pattern for the stretchy headband AND the Hello Kitty attached to it. The headband is very versatile and can be used for so many crocheted appliques. It's also perfect for clipping ribbon bows to for baby girls.

So let's get started!



Supplies:
Cotton yarn--I used Lily Sugar 'n Cream. You'll need whatever color you want for the headband and white for your kitty
Black, yellow and pink yarn -- you can use cotton yarn or regular, whatever you have around is fine. You need such tiny amounts that it doesn't really matter what material they are made of. I used the same yarn from the headband to make the kitty's bow.
H hook
Yarn needle
Scissors


Let's make the headband first!

Stretchy Headband Pattern

Step 1: Chain 13

 Step 2: Slip stitch into the 4th stitch from the hook.

Step 3: Chain 3. Skip 2 stitches and slip stitch into the 3rd stitch. Repeat across. You will create four holes. One (the first one you made) will be significantly smaller than the other three. That's OK, that's what is supposed to happen. 

Steps 2 and 3

After finishing step 3

 Step 4: Chain 3.  Turn and work back across in the opposite direction. Slip stitch into the first hole. This will make a very small loop. Chain 3 again and slip stitch into the next loop. Repeat across. Again, you will have four loops with the first one being smaller than the other three.

Step 4

Step 4

Step 5: Repeat step 4. Over and over and over and over again! Seriously, there's really now rule for how many rows to make. Your best bet is to use a tape measure and make it about 3 inches shorter than the head circumference of the person who will wear it. It's VERY stretchy and if you make it 20" long for someone with a 20" head, it'll be too loose.

Keep going!

OK, ok, you can stop now!

Step 6: Fasten off. Leave a nice long tail and sew your two ends together. Your headband is done! You can add anything you want from this point but today we are going to work on a Hello Kitty inspired applique.

Kitty Applique

Step 1: Chain 6
Step 2: Beginning in second stitch from hook, 2 half double crochet (HDC) in first stitch; 1 HDC in each of next 4 stitches; 3 HDC in last stitch.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3: Turn and work on the opposite side of your chain. HDC in next five stitches. Slip stitch to join, forming an oval.

Step 3 completed

 Step 4: Chain 1. HDC in same as chain. 2HDC in next stitch; HDC in next five stitches. Continue around, 2HDC in next, 1 HDC, 2HDC, and then 1 HDC in next five. Finally, 2HDC in last stitch. Join to first HDC with a slip stitch.

Partway through step 4

Finished with step 4!

Step 5: Chain 1. Single crochet (SC) in same as chain 1. 2 SC in each of the next two stitches.

Step 5

 Step 6: To form the ear, in the next stitch: SC, DC, treble crochet, DC, SC all in the same stitch. This will make the point of the ear. SC in the next three stitches and in the fourth stitch repeat the SC, DC, treble, DC, SC pattern to create the second ear.

Step 7: Finish around the cat. In next 4 stitches: 2SC, 1 SC, 2SC, 2SC.  SC in the next five stitches and finally 2SC in each of the last two stitches. Slip stitch to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough to attach your kitty to the headband!

Finished kitty!

Kitty details

The bow:
Chain 6. Beginning in second stitch from hook, HDC across. Fasten off. Tie a string around middle to make it look like a bow.

 The nose
Magic circle. Chain 1. 2 HDC in the circle. Pull tight and fasten off. Take the two tails and tie a night to close and form an oval.

The eyes:
Repeat the instructions for the nose, but put 3 HDC in the magic circle instead of two. Make two eyes (obviously!).


Attach all the elements to the cat face. This is the hard part for me! Be sure to stitch whiskers onto the face as well. 

Stitch your kitty onto your headband!

 For Halloween, you could do the exact same thing, only with a black cat, green eyes, white whiskers and no bow! Get creative and make it your own!

(You can always sell items made with my patterns but I sure do appreciate it if you include a link to my work! Thanks!)