Āhuru Thrummed
headband
By Nina Duke Howard of
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewFjords
Aruhu
– Maori for; to be warm, comfortable. A headband that is extra warm, which uses
thrums of raw or spinning fleece to create an extra insulating thickness
underneath. Little V’s of fleece create and interesting texture and a simple
pattern on the surface. Knit in rib this headband is extra stretchy and
designed to cover your ears completely. Either knit flat and seamed or with a
provisional cast on and grafted together to create an invisible, flat join.
Perfect for those extra cold, windy days, or when it is snowing out. Using
thrums makes this project interesting and fun to knit!
Materials:
You will need an 8ply or 10ply
yarn, soft enough to wear against your ears.
Yardage:
I used about 70gm of 10ply wool, yardage will depend on what yarn you choose to
use, and your gauge. Gauge is not so important.
Thrums
- made either from small
sections of combed raw fleece or spinning sliver teased out and folded in on
itself. I used 6 thrums per row over twenty rows so that means I used 120
thrums. A good tutorial for making thrums is here: http://www.helloyarn.com/how-i-thrum/
You can make batches of thrums
as you go if you like, that way you can make as many as you need with none left
over.
Equipment:
Crochet hook
Scrap of contrasting yarn,
with a cotton texture.
Needles appropriate to your
yarn, 8 ply 4mm needles, 10ply 5mm needles.
Tapestry needle
Techniques used:
Provisional cast on
1x1 rib
Knitting in thrums
Slipping stitches
Russian Grafting
Sewing knitting together
Instructions:
Using 8ply yarn and 4mm
needles CO 35 sts with provisional cast on.
With 10ply yarn and 5mm
needles CO 27 sts with Provisional cast on.
Alternatively, if you do not
want to graft, cast on with your normal stretchy technique.
A good provisional cast on method
can be found here: http://rosemarygoround.blogspot.co.nz/2007/08/is-it-monday-already.html
I find it is easier to do than other techniques.
To start knitting:
Row
1: Slip 1 st, *k1, p1 rep from *
across to last two sts, k1 slip 1 st.
Row
2: p2, *k1, p1 rep from * to the
last st, p1.
Rows
3, 4, 5 and 6: Repeat row 1 and 2 twice
more.
Row
7: Slip 1 st, k1, p1, *knit thrum
in with a knit st, p1, k1, p1 rep from * to last 4 sts, knit thrum in with a
knit st, p1, k1, slip st.
Row
8: p2, *k1, p1 rep from * to the
last st, p1.
Repeat these 8 rows till
headband is desired length. Enough to fit when wrapped around your ears and
forehead, meeting edge to edge with a bit of ease for comfort.
Finishing:
Remove crochet edge of
provisional cast on and place onto needles, break yarn with a tail three times
as long as the width of your knitting. Transfer provisional cast on sts to a
needle of the same size. Have working yarn hanging at the left hand side of
your knitting so you can graft stiches together. Using a crochet hook of
appropriate size (4mm is good) graft together with this technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1mReJQX1wk
This technique will create a
visible but neat graft.
Alternatively you can cast off
your knitting and seam the two ends together. Weave in ends and block if
necessary. The thrums will felt together gradually with wear to make and extra
warm and cosy headband to protect your ears from cold winds.
Enjoy wearing your headband!
© Nina Duke Howard 2013, https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewFjords
For personal use only, selling
of pattern or finished products of this pattern is not permitted.
