Chunky Braided Winter Headband

Last year I posted a pattern for a braided winter headband. After making one for myself, my mom and my little sister I soon realized it was the most popular knitted item I've ever created. The problem is, I'm really lazy and unless I'm determined, I really hate making these headbands. It's simple, any beginner knitter could do it, but it takes too long and I lose interest.

I decided to try the pattern on larger needles with thicker yarn. Turns out I actually prefer the pattern this way. It goes by much more quickly and the texture stands out more strongly.

I'm still pretty lazy and can't get myself to produce enough to sell, but I thought I might as well post my pattern so I don't forget how I made it (hence the whole reason I started this blog in the first place).

If these instructions aren't clear enough, you can always look at my other pattern for a slightly different explanation.

Materials:
2 skeins of worsted weight yarn (you'll be knitting them together) OR one skein of bulky yarn
size 10 double point needles
darning needle
three attractive buttons
needle and thread
straight pins

Directions:
Using two double point needles, cast on 24 stitches. Knit in seed stich (also called moss stitch) till piece measures 12 inches. I always slip the first stitch of each row to keep the edge even.

*Next row: seed stitch the first 8 stitches onto an empty double pointed needle. Work back and forth on this "leg" for 12 inches.
Next row: k2tog, seed st. 3 stitches, k2tog
Next row: K2tog, k2tog
Bind off next row*

Repeat * for each of the two remaining "legs" of the headband.

Finishing:
Weave in the first tail of yarn.

Braid the three "legs" of the headband till there's about 2 inches left at the ends. Pin the three ends to the beginning of the piece, creating the headband shape. Make sure the ends overlap the beginning of the piece so there's a good amount of space for the size of your buttons.

Pin the braid in place. With the darning needle, secure each end in place using the tails from the "legs."
Turn headband inside out. With needle and thread, whipstitch parts of the braid so the "legs" are secure and don't move or twist apart when stretched.

Sew on your buttons.