If you’re a knitting enthusiast and a cat lover, we have a delightful treat for you! In this article, we’re sharing an original free knitting pattern for a cat headband and wrist warmers. These charming accessories will not only keep you warm but also showcase your love for feline friends. So grab your knitting needles and let’s get started on creating these purrfect accessories!
Headband
Finished Length 15 in. (38 cm), adjustable with elastic.
Wrist Warmers
Finished Length 8 (12 1/2) in. (20.5 (32) cm)
Finished Palm Circumference 5 1/2 (7 1/2) in. (14 (19) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for child size with changes for adult size in parentheses. When only one number is given, it
applies to both sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
CORRECTIONS:
Hand
BOTH SIZES
Dividing Rnd: K2, sl next 12 6 (8) sts to a holder for thumb, cast on 2 sts, k to end of rnd, cast
on 24(34) sts for hand.
MATERIALS
- 860-153 Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Black
2 2 Balls (A) - 860-101 Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Pink
1 1 Ball (B) - Lion Brand Knitting Needles – Size 7 [4.5 mm]
- Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles – Size 7
- Lion Brand Stitch Holders
- Lion Brand Split Ring Stitch Markers
- Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)
- Additional Materials
2 (3 1/2) in. (5 (9) cm) black elastic, 3/4 in. (2 cm) wide
Sewing needle and black sewing thread
GAUGE:
18 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st worked in rnds (k every rnd). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR
GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the
pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer
stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if
more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
STITCH EXPLANATION:
kfb (knit into front and then back)
An increase worked as follows:
- Knit the next st through the front loop, but do not remove the st from your left hand needle.
- Knit the same st once more, this time inserting your needle through the back loop of the st. You
will have created 2 loops (sts) on your right hand needle. - Drop the st from your left hand needle – 1 st increased.
M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting horizontal thread lying between needles and placing it
onto left needle. Knit this new stitch through the back loop – 1 st increased.
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into
fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog – 1 st decreased.
sk2p (slip-k2tog-pass slipped st over)
A double decrease worked as follows: - Insert right needle as if to knit, and slip the next st from the left needle to the right needle.
- Knit the next 2 sts tog.
- With tip of left needle, lift the slipped st (the 2nd st on right needle) up and over the k2tog (first st
on right needle) and off the needle – 2 sts decreased.
PATTERN STITCHES
K1, p1 Rib worked in rows (over odd number of sts)
Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: K the knit sts, and p the purl sts.
Rep Row 2 for K1, p1 Rib worked in rows.
K1, p1 Rib worked in rnds (over even number of sts)
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep Rnd 1 for K1, p1 Rib worked in rnds.
HEADBAND
With A, cast on 3 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: (Kfb) twice, k1 – 5 sts at the end of this row.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 – 7 sts at the end of this row.
Rep last 2 rows until there are 11 sts on needle.
Work in K1, p1 Rib worked in rows until Headband measures about 13 1/2 in. (34.5 cm) from beg.
Next Row: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 9 sts at the end of this row.
Next Row: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows until 3 sts rem.
Bind off.
OUTER EAR (make 2)
With A, cast on 13 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 11 sts at the end of this row.
Rep last 2 rows until 3 sts rem.
Next Row: Sk2p – 1 st at the end of this row.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
INNER EAR (make 2)
Note: Inner Ear is worked in reverse St st (k on WS, p on RS).
With B, cast on 11 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 9 sts at the end of this row.
Rep last 2 rows until 3 sts rem.
Next Row: Sk2p – 1 st at the end of this row.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
With WS tog, layer an Inner Ear onto each Outer Ear. With B, sew Inner Ears to Outer Ears.
With A, sew Ears to headband. Weave in ends. With sewing needle and thread, sew ends of elastic to WS of ends of
Headband.
WRIST WARMERS (make 2)
With A, cast on 20 (30) sts. Divide sts onto double pointed needles. Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working
the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle and being careful not to twist sts.
Work in K1, p1 Rib worked in rnds until piece measures about 5 (8) in. (12.5 (20.5) cm) from beg.
Increase for Hand
Rnd 1: *K4 (6), kfb; rep from * 3 more times, k to end of rnd – 24 (34) sts at the end of this rnd.
Work in St st worked in the rnd (k every rnd) for 1 in. (2.5 cm).
Increase for Thumb
Rnd 1: K2, (kfb) twice, k to end of rnd – 26 (36) sts at the end of this rnd.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K2, kfb, k2, kfb, k to end of rnd – 28 (38) sts at the end of this rnd.
Rnd 4: Knit.
CHILD SIZE ONLY
Proceed to Hand instructions.
ADULT SIZE ONLY
Rnd 5: K2, kfb, k4, kfb, k to end of rnd – 40 sts at the end of this rnd.
Rnd 6: Knit.
Proceed to Hand instructions.
Hand
BOTH SIZES
Dividing Rnd: K2, sl next 6 (8) sts to a holder for thumb, cast on 2 sts, k to end of rnd, 24 (34) sts for hand.
Work in St st worked in the rnd until piece measures about 1 (1 1/2) in. (2.5 (4) cm) from Dividing Rnd.
Work in K1, p1 Rib worked in rnds until about 2 (2 1/2) in. (5 (7) cm) from Dividing Rnd. Bind off.
Thumb
Sl thumb sts back onto 3 double pointed needles, pick up and knit 2 sts across cast on edge of Dividing Rnd. Place
marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand
needle – 8 (10) sts at the end of this rnd.
Work in St st worked in the rnd until thumb measures 1 in. (2.5 cm) above Dividing Rnd. Bind off.
PAW PADS
Large (make 2)
With B, cast on 4 (5) sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K1, M1, k to last st, M1, k1 – 6 (7) sts at the end of this row.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: K1, M1, k1 (2), M1, k to last st, M1, k1 – 9 (10) sts at the end of this row.
Rows 5-7: Knit.
Row 8: K1, M1, k3 (4), M1, k to last st, M1, k1 – 12 (13) sts at the end of this row.
Rows 9-11: Knit.
Row 12: Bind off 2 sts, sk2p, k to end of row – 8 (9) sts at the end of this row.
Row 13: Rep Row 12 – 4 (5) sts at the end of this row.
Row 14: Knit.
Row 15: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 2 (3) sts at the end of this row.
Bind off.
Small (make 8)
With B, cast on 3 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: (K1, M1) twice, k1 – 5 sts at the end of this row.
Rows 3-5: Knit.
Row 6: Ssk, k1, k2tog – 3 sts at the end of this row.
Row 7: Knit.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Sew one large Paw Pad and four small Paw Pads to palm of each Wrist Warmer, arranging the small Paw Pads
evenly spaced above the large Paw Pad. With yarn ends, work duplicate st over any loose sts at base of thumb.
