There is nothing to get you knitting like a new grandchild. Our first grandchild was a cute little girl who definitely needed a big bow on her head!
This is the pattern for the bow that I knit for baby Amelia. It begins with a provisional cast on for the headband. The headband is worked in seed stitch and can be knit to whatever length you need. The headband is joined by gathering both ends through the live stitches and pulling until it is snug.
The bow is worked separately, then attached to the headband. I tried several methods for creating the bow, but settled on this method because it looked good and did not create too much bulk that might be irritating to a newborn.
This pattern is suitable for an advanced beginner or intermediate knitter. The pattern will be in the Free Pattern section of the Wise Owl Knits Website by the beginning of June 2026.
Watch the entire Baby Bow Headband video to SEE how the Baby Bow Headband is made, or use the written instructions with pictures below
Finished Size
Circumference 12 - 15) in/30 - 38) cm or desired circumference.
Materials
1 Skein Baby Bee Sweet Delight Wrap sport-weight yarn, 60% Acrylic, 40% Polymide, 3.5 oz/100 g, 310 yds/283 m, color Sunny
Size 4 US/3.5 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle
Waste yarn for provisional cast on
Size E/4 US/3.5 mm crochet hook for provisional cast on
Tapestry Needle
Headband Pattern
With crochet hook, circular needle and waste yarn, CO 15 stitches. With headband yarn, work the following row until headband is the length you need.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2 and all remaining rows: Sl1 pw [p1, k1] to end of row.
Repeating row 2 will give you a seed stitch fabric. Once you are at your desired length, remove the provisional CO and transfer the CO sts to the opposite end of your circular needle or onto a spare needle of the same size or smaller. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 in/25 cm tail. With tapestry needle, run the yarn through the CO sts and the live sts. Do this twice, then pull the end until snug. Do not work in end, because you will use this to help secure the bow to the headband.
Bow
CO 3 sts, then begin increases as follows:
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: K1, m1r, k1, m1l, k1. 5 sts.
Row 3: K2, pm, p1, pm, k2.
Row 4: K2, m1r, k1, m1l, k2. 7 sts.
Row 5: K2, p3, k2.
Row 6: K2, m1r, k3, m1l, k2. 9 sts.
Row 7: K2, p5, k2.
Row 8: K2, m1r, k5, m1l, k2, 11 sts.
Row 9: K2, p7, k2.
Row 10: K2, m1r, k7, m1l, k2. 13 sts.
Row 11: K2, p9, k2.
Row 12: K2, m1r, k9, m1l, k2. 15 sts.
Work even (without increases) until bow measures 16.75 in/43 cm.
Row 1 (WS): K2, p11, k2.
Row 2: Knit.
Work decreases as follows:
Row 1 (WS): K2, p11, k2.
Row 2: K2, ssk, k7, k2tog, k2. 13 sts.
Row 3: K2, p9, k2.
Row 4: K2, ssk, k5, k2tog, k2. 11 sts.
Row 5: K2, p7, k2.
Row 6: K2, ssk, k3, k2tog, k2. 9 sts.
Row 7: K2, p5, k2.
Row 8: K2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2. 7 sts.
Row 9: K2, p3, k2.
Row 10: K2, sl1 kw, k2tog, psso, k2. 5 sts.
Row 11: K2, p1, k2.
Row 12: K1, k3tog, k1. 3 sts.
Row 13: K3.
BO. With tapestry needle, work in loose ends on bow.
Fold the bow into a bow shape like this:
With tapestry needle and 12 inches of yarn, baste the bow together where the folds meet
Bow Band
CO 8 sts and work in St st for 2.5 - 3 inches.
Put it all together by placing the bow on top of the headband, so that the center of the bow rests right over the cinched point on the headband.
Turn the headband inside out, keeping the bow in place. The bow will now be inside the headband.
Wrap the 8 st band around both the bow and the headband, then sew it together on the inside of the headband.
Work in all of your ends, then the headband is ready to gift. Make sure to get some cute pictures!