Valley Yarns Tangelo Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Tangelo Knitted Headband

What is Being Made

The Tangelo is a luxurious knitted headband designed by Julie Turjoman, perfect as a quick gift for a special someone. This cozy headwrap features a stylish twisted detail that distinguishes it from standard headbands. Available in two sizes—S/M and L/XL—the finished band circumference measures 20 inches (unstretched) for the smaller size and 22 inches for the larger size, fitting head circumferences up to 22 and 24 inches respectively. The headband is 5¾ inches wide when doubled, creating a luxurious double-weight fabric that provides extra warmth.

Techniques Used

This advanced beginner project employs several key knitting techniques that elevate the finished piece:

• Worked in the round: The headband is constructed as a long tube using circular needles, allowing for seamless construction and consistent stitch patterns throughout.
• Provisional cast-on: The pattern uses a Provisional Crochet Chain cast-on method, which allows the stitches to be picked up later for grafting. This technique is essential for the seamless construction of the twisted headband.
• Twisting and grafting: After the tube reaches the required length, it is twisted once to create the signature stylish detail. The short ends are then grafted together using the Kitchener stitch, a seamless joining technique that creates an invisible seam.
• Seeded rib stitch: The entire piece is worked in a seeded rib pattern, which complements the texture of the tweed yarn and creates visual interest while maintaining structural integrity.

Stitches Used

The Tangelo pattern focuses on one primary stitch pattern: Seeded Rib. This stitch combines knit and purl stitches in a specific arrangement across rounds 1 and 2, which are then repeated throughout the piece. The seeded rib pattern is worked over 52 cast-on stitches and creates a textured fabric that complements the tweed characteristics of the yarn. The pattern also incorporates the Kitchener stitch (also known as grafting) for the final assembly, which joins the twisted tube ends together invisibly.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Tangelo is designed to be worked with premium materials that contribute to its luxurious feel:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Taconic in color #514558 Sky Blue Tweed. This yarn is composed of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere, offering both softness and durability. The tweed characteristics of this yarn beautifully complement the seeded rib stitch pattern. The yarn weight is double weight, and the project requires 2 balls of yarn, with each ball containing 50 grams and 125 yards of yardage.
• Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, 16 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. A spare needle may be helpful for grafting purposes.
• Additional materials: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assisting with grafting, and waste yarn for the provisional cast-on method.

Gauge and Finished Specifications

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches in the Seeded Rib stitch when blocked. Achieving this gauge is important for the headband to fit properly and have the intended finished measurements. The sample photographed in the pattern is size S/M.