Bandana Bow Tie

I've been involved with a knit-along, Knit for Victory on Ravelry.com and it has really inspired and motivated me. Not only have I been working on a 1940's inspired sweater (photo's and details at a later date), but I also created a new pattern for a head wrap inspired by the bandanas and turbans worn by the women of WWII as they were entering the factories and had to cover their hair so that it didn't get caught in the heavy machinery. This is my first time sharing a personal pattern. I hope you enjoy it.

Bandana Bow Tie

This cute little headband has a retro feel that knits up very quickly. Wear it with a high ponytail or use it to cover your pin-curls. You can alter the bow to be as big or little as you like and make one in any and every color to match your cutest poodle skirt or tightest peddle pushers.

Yarn - I used Dream in Color’s Bermuda Teal for the one in the pictures, but any worsted weight yarn will do.

Needle - Size 7

Abbreviations
RLI - Right Lifted Increase, Knit into the back of the stitch (in the “purl bump") in the row directly below the stitch on the left needle
LLI - Left Lifted Increase, Insert left needle into back of the stitch below stitch just knitted. Knit this stitch.
SSK - Slip, Slip, Knit
K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together
Psso - Pass slipped stitch over.

Co 7 stitches (From here and throughout pattern you will slip the first stitch of every row. On the odd rows, slip knitwise, on the even rows, slip purlwise.)

1) Sl 1st, P2, K1, P2, K1
2) Sl 1st, K2, P1, K2, P1
3) Sl 1st, P2, RLI, K1, LLI, P2, K1
4) and all even rows, work in pattern (knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches. Remember to slip the first stitch.
5) Sl1, P2 RLI, K3, LLI, P2, K1
7) Sl1, P2, RLI, K5, LLI, P2, K1
9) Sl1, P2, RLI, K7, LLI, P2, K1
11) Sl1, P2, RLI, K9, LLI, P2, K1
13) Sl1, P2, RLI, K11, LLI, P2, K1
15) Sl1, P2, RLI, K13, LLI, P2, K1

Continue in pattern without increasing (K the knits, P the Purls) until piece measures approx 17 in from CO edge. Or about 2 inches shorter than you want the final length to be, keep in mind you want it to stretch to fit your head. Starting on RS,

1)Sl1, P2, SSK, K11, K2tog, P2, K1
3)Sl1, P2, SSK, K9, K2tog, P2, K1
5) Sl1, P2, SSK, K7, K2tog, P2, K1
7) Sl1, P2, SSK, K5, K2tog, P2, K1
9) Sl1, P2, SSK, K3, K2tog, P2, K1
11) Sl1, P2, SSK, K1, K2tog, P2, K1
13) Sl1, P2, Sl1, K2tog, Psso, P2, K1

Bind off leaving a long tail. Sew ends of headband together still leaving end long. You will use this to attach the bow.

BOW

Co 8 st
1)Sl1, knit to end
2) Sl1, Purl to end.
Repeat these 2 rows till piece measures 8-9 inches, depending on the size of bow you want.

Bind off leaving a long tail to weave the ends together creating a loop. You should have both loose ends on one side. Tie them in a knot. Wrap ends in opposite directions around piece, a few times each to create the bow. Tie ends in a knot. Place bow on top of headband. Wrap the left over long ends around bow to secure in place. Tie another knot and weave in all ends.

Normally, I’m not one for blocking such small items, but this headband doesn’t like to lay flat so I recommend blocking this one.