Licensed2Knit

So this winter I have seen more women and girls than I could count running about town wearing a certain head wrap with a big crocheted flower glued on the side. A co-worker of mine who loves these head wraps wanted one but she didn’t want that big ole flower glued on it. So after getting a look at one of these infamous head wraps I created a clone “sans le fleur”.  I call it Paramecium because every time I look at it’s shape that is what pops into my head.

Paramecium (prototype 1)

Paramecium Rearview

The shape is where I came up with the name

When I went into the shop that sells the infamous head wraps,  the salesperson told me that she’s had knitters in the shop before but that most of them say that they could not make one of the head wraps for the price they were selling them for which is $12.00.  Oh I beg to differ….I used a skein of yarn that was gifted to me as part of a Secret Santa exchange…$0.00 and I bought 2 buttons on clearance at Hobby Lobby for less than $1.00.  Ummmm yes you can make it for less…I took this as a throw down challenge and within 2-3 hours I have a lovely little Paramecium head wrap to show for it.  The yarn is Yarn Bee Italia in Venetian.  Next time I’ll use some wool or alpaca…after all this is just a prototype.

Here’s my recipe if you’d like to create one of your own.

The head wrap is knit in a K1P1 rib and it is important to the look of the Paramecium to maintain the K1P1 rib throughout but please note that there will be some fudging of stitches at the center where you make the increase.

Using a bulky yarn doubled up and US size 15 straight needles CO 3 sts.

1st row: K1, P1, K1

2nd row: P1, K1 f&b, P1

3rd row: K1, P1 f&b, P1, K1

4th row: P1, K1, P1 f&b, P1, K1

5th row: K1, P1, K1 f&b, K1, P1 K1

6th row: P1, K1, P1, K1 f&b, P1, K1, P1

So continue on this way either increasing with the P1 f&b or K1 f&b and work the outer stitches as they face you until you have 25 stitches on the needles.

Knit 6-8 rows in K1P1 ribbed pattern as established.

After these no increase rows you can begin decreasing at the center by using either a K2tog or P2tog.  I used both decreases depending on what I thought would give me the cleanest looking K1P1 rib pattern…you do the same and continue on until you have 3 sts.  Cast off.  Weave in ends.

You can either crochet a loop at one end for the button loop like the store bought ones had or you can do as I did and just use one of the large spaced holes as the button hole.  Sew two rather large-ish (1- 1 1/2 inch) buttons to the other end and wear with pride!

A few items of note.

• The original store bought head wrap did have a simple crocheted edge and button loop.
• It also had a large crocheted flower glued on one side.
• The yarn used in the original was not hairy and fuzzy as I used.
• I only used the Yarn Bee yarn because it was close at hand.
• If I knit this again I will be sure to use some big fat wool or maybe something like some Plymouth Encore Chunky or even some buttery soft Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande.

ENJOY!