Sesia Lois Headband & Mitts Accessory Knitting Pattern

Sesia Lois Headband & Mitts

What Is Being Made

The Sesia Lois Headband & Mitts is a coordinating accessory set designed by Vera Keller. This pattern includes two complementary pieces: a textured headband with a circumference of 18½"/47cm and a width of 3¼"/8.5cm, paired with matching mitts featuring a circumference of 6"/15cm and length of 8¼"/21cm. Both pieces are worked in one size and feature decorative cable stitch detailing.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental techniques suitable for intermediate crafters:

• Bottom-up construction: Both the headband and mitts are cast on and worked upward from the base
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier cable work and shaping
• Seamed finishing: After pieces are knitted flat, the ends are sewn together to create the finished circular forms
• Cable techniques: The pattern incorporates cable stitches that require a cable needle to cross stitches and create dimensional twisted patterns
• Blocking: The finished pieces are blocked to measurements to ensure proper fit and even stitch definition

Stitches Used

The Lois pattern utilizes classic knitting stitches combined with cable work:

• K2, P2 Ribbing: A fundamental stitch pattern that alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This ribbing provides elasticity and structure, working on a multiple of 4 stitches. The ribbing is repeated throughout and creates the textured border elements on both the headband and mitts
• 12-stitch Cable: The focal design element featuring a 16-row repeat. This cable alternates between knit and purl rows, with cable crossings occurring at Row 3 (4/4 RC—right cross) and Row 11 (4/4 LC—left cross). The cable measures approximately 2"/5cm in width and creates a raised, twisted pattern down the center of the headband
• Increases and decreases: The pattern includes M1L (Make 1 Left) for increases and K2tog (Knit 2 Together) for decreases, allowing for shaping where needed

Materials

The Sesia Lois pattern calls for premium natural fiber yarn and standard knitting tools:

• Yarn: 2 balls of Sesia PURA LANA ECOLOGICA, a blend of 50% merino wool and 50% alpaca. Each ball contains 1.75oz/50g with 95 yards/87 meters of yardage. The recommended colorway is #052 natural
• Needles: US 8 (5mm) straight needles, or the size required to obtain proper gauge
• Notions: A cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, two locking stitch markers for securing stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The gauge is measured in K2, P2 Ribbing at 23 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4"/10cm. The 12-stitch cable measures approximately 2"/5cm in width. The headband is designed as one size with an unstretched circumference of 18½"/47cm, while the mitts measure 6"/15cm around with an 8¼"/21cm length. The pattern is rated as easy difficulty, making it accessible to knitters with basic cable experience.