Crochet baby headband – free pattern (4 sizes)

Baby headbands are by far the most adorable fashion accessories for babies. Nothing looks cuter than little ones dressed up and wearing a cute baby headband. Aren’t they the cutest thing?

With this easy and quick pattern, you can make a cute headband in 4 different sizes. It’s so simple, yet so fashionable. I can’t wait to see one that you make to dress up your baby girl.

You don’t have a baby? Not a problem. They make adorable gifts or you can make them to sell in your spring and summer craft fairs. It’s one of those quick and small projects that will melt hearts around your booth.

a close up of a pink tiara made out of yarn

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Pin this baby headband pattern to your boards

Best yarns for a crochet baby headband

Non mercerized cotton or cotton blend yarns are the best for baby headbands. The reason why these are the best yarns is because they are absorbent and cool for warmer temperatures.

Also, I highly recommend that you use the softest yarns for crochet baby headbands. Premier Cotton Fair yarn is a great choice. This is a blend of 52% cotton / 48% acrylic and it’s very soft.

Best yarn fiber for a baby headband

Cotton yarns are the best because they don’t retain as much heat as other kind of animal or synthetic fibers. But good quality acrylic baby yarn will work too, especially if you live in regions where the warmer seasons are not so hot.

Premier Cotton Fair, the yarn recommend above, is available in 3.5 oz (100 g) / 317 (290 m) skeins. In the US, you can purchase it at Michaels or with the Premier Yarns online store. I used the color bright peach.

How much yarn do I need for a crochet baby headband?

For a newborn size you will need approximately 0.42 oz (12 g) / 38 yds (35 m).
Fo a 3-6 mos size you will need approximately 0.50 oz (14 g) / 46 yds (42 m).
For a 6-12 mos size you will need approximately 0.57 oz (17 g) / 52 yds (48 m).
For a toddler (1-3 yrs) size you will need approximately 0.64 oz (18 g) / 58 yds (53 m).

Tips and tricks for crocheting a baby headband

You will first crochet a tube for the headband, then crochet a bow (that’s in a separate blog post) and attach it to the headband. Find the pattern for the bow here.
The tube will be crocheted in continuous rows of sc. Meaning you won’t join the rounds with a slip stitch.
Add more rounds to the tube, in case you want to adjust the size, or if you need it bigger. Or make it smaller by making less rounds.
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round, moving it up as you go. But honestly, it’s not crucial that you keep track of first and last stitches. As long as you count the rounds, you are good to go. You will be able to count the rounds easily just by eyeballing them.
It may be a little tricky to crochet a tiny tube with fine yarn without accidently grabbing the back stitches with the hook. But once you are past rounds 5 or 6 it gets easier.
Use your middle finger, from the yarn hand, to push those back stitches down. By the way, this trick helped me a lot. When you start making it, you will know exactly what I am referring to.

What size should a crochet baby headband be?

A baby headband will measure between 12″ and 16″ in circumference, depending on the size of the head.

Here are the sizes you will get with this pattern:

The newborn size is approximately 12” (30.5 cm) circumference. And it fits heads size 13-14 in (33-36 cm)
The 3-6 mos size is approximately 14” (35.5 cm) circumference. And it fits head size 15-16 in (38-41 cm)
The 6-12 mos is approximately 16” (41 cm) circumference. And it fits head size 16-18 in (41-46 cm)
The toddler (1-3 yrs) size is approximately 18” (46 cm) circumference. And it fits head size 18-19 in (46-48 cm)

All sizes will be 13/16” (2 cm) wide. If you want it wider, add more chains to the initial foundation. Then, flatten it down to measure the width. For that, a ruler will work better than a tape.

close up of a pink crochet baby headband

Are crochet headbands safe for babies?

Crochet baby headbands are safe if made and worn correctly. So, please make sure you don’t make them too tight, as the pressure on their tiny skulls could cause pain and even damage.

Make sure you adjust the size as needed, making them with some ease, so they are comfortable and safe. Also, never leave a baby unattended with a headband on to avoid accidents, like asphyxiation.

Pattern notes and instructions

This crochet baby headband pattern was written using US terminology.
Level of difficulty: easy. Stitches used are: chain, single crochet, magic circle and double treble crochet.
All measurements and sizes informed are approximate. They may vary depending on tension, type of yarn and hook size. Please make appropriate adjustments as needed.
I am adding exact instructions for 4 different sizes for this crochet baby headband: Newborn, 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos and Toddler (1-3 yrs). The pattern instructions are for size Newborn. Directions for other sizes are within parentheses such as: 12” (14”, 16” 18”) or about 83 (97, 111, 125) rounds.
Whereas 12” is for size Newborn, 14” for size 3-6 mos, 16” for size 6-12 mos and 18” for size Toddler (1-3 yrs). The same applies for the sequence of rounds on the same instructions section.

Supplies and tools you will need

2.25 mm (US B) crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle

Pattern and stitches abbreviations

ch (s): chain (s)

FO: fasten off

mc: magic circle

Rnd: round

st(s): stitch(es)

sc: single crochet

yo: yarn over

( ): instructions within parentheses pertain to the different sizes, other than newborn

[ ]: stitch count in a round

Information on gauge

Gauge is not crucial for this crochet baby headband pattern. You can adjust the size by adding or subtracting rounds. Plus, for a tiny project like this, I thought it was silly to ask you to crochet a gauge swatch.

However, for you to have an idea if your tension is similar to mine, here is some measurement information. When you reach 20 rounds your tube length should be about 3” (7.6 cm) and 13/16” (2 cm) wide.

Step by step for a crochet baby headband with bow

Make this crochet baby headband for gifts or to sell in your spring and summer craft fairs. It’s one of those small projects that’s cute and super quick to make.

Total Time: 1 hour

Make a foundation chain

Ch 12, join to 1st ch with a sl st to form a ring. To make it wider, this is the time to add more chains.
Crochet the tube, then join the ends

Rnd1: sc in every ch across [12]
Rnd2: sc around [12]
Repeat round 2 until you reach 12” (14”, 16” 18”) inches, or about 83 (97, 111, 125) rounds.
Join the ends with single crochet sts

Using your fingers, squeeze both ends of the tube.
Keep the working yarn on the right side.
Insert the hook in all 4 corresponding stitches at once, yo, pull up a loop.
Repeat step 2 six times, you will have a total of 6 sc.
FO. Cut the yarn. Weave in the end.
Make and attach the bow

Crochet the bow following this pattern. Do not wrap the tails around the center of the bow yet.

Tip: before attaching the bow to the crochet baby headband, use a hot iron to press the headband tube to make it flat.

Place the bow with its center on top of the headband’s joining seam.
Use both yarn tails of the bow. Wrap them as tightly as possible; 6-8 times around the bow and the headband at the same time. Each tail in opposite directions.

As you wrap, keep pulling the tails tight to gather both the center of the bow and the headband, until you are happy with the width.
Make a firm knot. Cut the yarn. Weave in the ends.

Estimated Cost: 5 USD

Supply:

Yarn weight 2 cotton blend

Tools:

2.25 mm (US B) crochet hook

Materials: Scissors Darning needle

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Your adorable crochet baby headband is done. I hope you enjoy this quick baby crochet project.

Drop a comment below if you have any questions or if you just would like to say “hi”. Another way to reach out to me is by joining my community group on Facebook.

If you use any of my patterns or tutorials for a project, please tag me @zamiguz or use the hashtag #zamiguzmakers. I would love to see what you make.