Twisted Headband Pattern (Shell Stitch)

Seasons are starting to change which makes it time to crochet this beautiful Twisted Headband! This Twisted Headband pattern is easy and works up very fast. It uses just the Shell Stitch crochet stitch with a little bit of a twist! (haha see what I did there? 😉 ) You can make this headband in any color your heart desires! Perfect as a gift for your loved ones or for using your scrap yarn.

I am totally obsessed with this crochet pattern! Seasons are starting to change here in South Africa and with that comes the making of warm and cozy gifts! I love to be able to make something so quick and easy like this Shell Stitch Twisted Headband. Not only for gifting them to my moms, (yes plural, because I’m blessed with 2 moms and an incredible mother in law! :)) but also for making some of different colors for myself! Bonus!!

Let’s dive into the deeds:

Before you start crocheting this beautiful Shell Stitch Twisted Headband, here are some important things to know and some background around this pattern.

The Detail Twisted Headband – The Shell Stitch

The shell stitch has become one of my favorite crochet stitches! It is constructed out of five double crochets in the same space (the shell) and a single crochet to close up the cluster. With creating this pattern I wanted the shells to be more defined than your regular shell stitch. That’s where the magic of working in the back loop and front loop of the stitch comes into play.

After you’ve worked row 1, the pattern calls for the single crochet to be worked in the Back Loop Only (BLO) in row 3. This is what makes the defined shell stitch. It makes the front loop of the stitch stand out, creating the effect that the shell goes on continuously. Furthermore this is the reason why the Headband has a right side (row 2) and a wrong side (row 3). This just means the right side is the side that will be on the outside facing you, and the wrong side will be on the inside of your headband. You will clearly see the difference in sides as you crochet along the pattern.

When working on row 3 (on the wrong side of your headband) you will then put the single crochet in the Front Loop Only (FLO) of the stitch. This creates the same effect as the back loop did in row 2. The difference is that you are now working on the wrong side of the headband. Which is why you are placing the single crochet in the front loop only.

Creating the twist in the Twisted Headband

To create the twist in the Twisted Headband is super easy once you understand how it’s put together. Follow the pictures below closely.

This Shell stitch crochet headband is actually the shape of a rectangle when you are finished with the last rows. Now a rectangle, as you know, has four sides. Two longs sides (Length) and two short sides (Width). You will connect the two short sides by doing the following.

• Firstly turn the headband over so the right side is facing you and place a stitch marker in the middle of each short side to indicate the halfway point of each side.
• Secondly, grab the left short side of the rectangle in your left hand and form a “C”.
• Then, grab the right short side of the rectangle in your right hand and do the same, form a reversed “C”.
• Now, bring both sides together, still with the “C” in place and intertwin them together. It should be one layer of the left side, followed by one layer of the right side. Then one layer of the left side and ending with one layer of the right side. Refer to picture below.

• Using the long tail and tapestry needle, seam these layers together – ensure that you are always going through all four layers in a back and forth motion. Once you have reached the end, you can whip stitch back down the other way for extra security.
• Weave in your ends, flip the headband inside out, and TA DA! You’re done! A beautiful Shell Stitch Twisted Headband.

The pattern level:

This Twisted headband is a beginner crochet pattern. All you need to know is how to read a pattern, work in the back loop and front loop and how to single crochet and double crochet.

You will most likely make more than one! This pattern is also great for that pesky scrap yarn that gets left over after other projects are done.

Some FAQ and answers:

Can I adjust the size of the Twisted Headband?

Yes! This pattern is worked in multiples of 6 plus 2 for the turning chain. My measurement is 59cm/23in and I chained 72+2. This is around about the average size for an adult female. If you’d like to make this for a child you can chain less in the multiples of 6+2. Remember: when working on the wrong side you must insert the double crochets in the very first stitch next to the turning chain. This creates a half shell to keep your edges even and without any holes.

What size yarn do I need?

For this pattern I used Number 4 Worsted weight yarn in the color pepper. You will need at least 50g/ 1.7oz (80m/ 87yards). If you’re in the US, something like Caron Simply Soft will work just fine.

The materials needed?

You will need the following materials:

• Your choice and colors of Number 4 worsted weight yarn. I used Charity Chunky in the colorway Pepper.
• A 5.5mm hook (US I/9)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers

Techniques you need to know:

SC (Single Crochet) – 1.  Insert your hook into center of your next working chain. Grab yarn (known as a yarn over) and draw through the chain stitch and up onto the hook so that you have two loops on your hook.
2.  Using your hook, grab yarn and draw it through both loops on your hook, leaving just one loop on your hook. You’ve made one single crochet stitch.
3.  Repeat steps 1 and 2 as many times as your pattern calls for.

DC (Double Crochet) – 1.  Yarn over, then insert your crochet hook into the center of your next working chain. Yarn over and draw through the chain stitch and up onto the hook so that you have three loops on your hook.
2.  Yarn over and pull through two of the loops on your hook, leaving two loops on your hook.
3.  Yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook, leaving just one loop. You’ve just made one double crochet stitch. 
4.  Repeat steps 1-3 as many times as your pattern calls for.

BLO (Back Loop Only) – Instead of inserting your hook into both loops of the stitch, you will insert it only under the back loop.

FLO (Front Loop Only) – Instead of inserting your hook into both loops of the stitch, you will insert it only under the front loop.

Let’s get started!

Now that you know all that need to be known, I will not keep you any longer from crocheting this beautiful Shell Stitch Twisted Headband.

Remember to follow me on Facebook and Instagram and share your creations with me on all my social platforms. Also pin this on your Pinterest boards if you want to make it again.

Happy Crocheting!!! 🙂

~Nadine

Shell Stitch Twisted Headband

Print Pattern

This pattern is written in US Terms

Gauge: 10cm x 10cm / 4in x 4in = 13dc x 8 rows

Finished Size of the Twisted Headband: Width: 11.5cm / 4.5in Diameter: 59cm / 23in

Tools and Materials

• Number 4 Worsted weight yarn. 50g/ 1.7oz (80m/ 87yards)
• Size 5.5mm Hook US I-9
• Measuring Tape
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors

Instructions

Foundation Chain: Multiples of 6 + 2

• Foundation row: Chain 74 loosely. Sc in the second ch from the hook and then Sc in each stitch across, turn (73)
• R1 (WS): ch2 (counts as dc), 2dc in same st as TC, *sk2 sts, sc in next st, sk2 sts, 5dc in the same st. Rep from * to until the end of the row, 3dc in last st, turn. (61dc, 12sc)
• R2 (RS): ch1 (place SM in ch), *sk 2sts, 5dc in the same st (sc of prev row), sk 2sts, sc in BLO. Rep from * until the end of the row, ending with sc in the top of ch2 TC from prev. row, turn. (60dc, 13sc in BLO)
• R3 (WS): ch2 (counts as dc), 2dc in same st as TC, *sk 2sts, sc in the FLO, sk 2sts, 5dc in the same st. Rep from * to until the end of row, 3dc in TC, turn. (61dc, 12sc)
• R4 – R8: Rep Row 2 and Row 3 until you reach row 8 or the piece will measure 4 inches/11cm ending on a RS row.
• Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Now, create the twist: (see the blog post for step by step photos) 🙂

• To make the twist for the headband you are going to do the following:
• Firstly turn the headband over so the right side is facing you and place a stitch marker in the middle of each short side to indicate the halfway point of each side.
• Secondly, grab the left short side of the rectangle in your left hand and form a “C”.
• Thirdly, grab the right short side of the rectangle in your right hand and do the same, form a reversed “C”.
• Now, bring both sides together, still with the “C” in place and intertwin them together. It should be one layer of the left side, followed by one layer of the right side. Then one layer of the left side and ending with one layer of the right side.
• Using the long tail and a tapestry needle, seam these layers together – ensure that you are always going through all 4 layers in a back and forth motion. Once you have reached the other side, you can whip stitch back down the other way for extra security.
• Weave in your ends, flip the headband inside out, and you’re done! A beautiful Shell Stitch Twisted headband!

Notes

• The twisted headband is a repeat pattern of two rows. It is worked in rows and then sewn together at the end.
• To change the size of the headband you need to measure your head around the ears, the way you would wear your headband, and chain in multiples of 6 plus 2 for the beginning turning chain.
• Work the foundation row of the pattern and then measure it around your head again, stretching it just a bit, to fit your size.
• To get the defined shells the single crochets is worked in the back loop only on the right side and in the front loop only on the wrong side.
• You can make this headband as wide as you’d prefer by making less or more rows.
• PLEASE NOTE: The turning chain 2 does count as a stitch. You will begin each row in the turning chain.
• To help you find the chains, insert a stitch marker at the top of the turning chain.

 

Abbreviations: Ch = Chain. Sc = Single Crochet. Dc = Double Crochet. St(s) = Stitch (s). Rep = Repeat. Sk* sts = Skip the number of stitches called for by *. BLO = Back loop only. FLO = Front loop only. RS = Right side. WS = Wrong side. TC = Turning Chain. SM = Stitch Marker. Prev. = Previous

How to make the test gauge: ch20 R1: 1dc in 3rd ch (counts as 1st dc) from the hook, 1 dc in each ch until the end, turn. (17dc) R2: ch2, (counts as 1dc), 1dc in in each st across until end, 1dc in top of turning ch, turn (17dc) R3 – 7: Rep row 2 until you reach row 7. Measure your gauge by placing your swatch on a flat surface and place the measuring tape on top of the gauge swatch. Measure 4 inches across the swatch, from left to right, to count the amount of double crochets between the 4 inches. Now do the same from top to bottom to count the amount of rows between 4 inches. If you have to many stitches between the 4 inches – go up a hook size or two. If you don’t have enough or fall short of the 4 inches – go down a hook size or two.

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