Dapper Pattern

This fellow was inspired by the dramatic bows that I’ve been seeing lately. Dapper is a garter stitch bow to wear as a headband or a bow tie. It uses hooks to grab onto the garter stitch ridges so it is easy to adjust the size and go between looks.

Measurements:
16.5 inches long unstretched
Stretches up to 32 inches

Materials:
1 Skein Cascade 220
5mm Needles
A Yarn Needle
A Sewing Needle
Thread That Matches Yarn
3 hooks from a size 3 hook & eye set

Gauge:
4.5 st x 8 rows = 1 in x 1 in unstretched garter stitch
Note: All measurements are given unstretched.

Abbreviations:

co: Cast on            sts: Stitches
k: Knit                     k2tog: Knit two together
m1: Make one     kfb: Knit front and back of stitch
bo: Bind off

Band:
Co 16 sts
Knit in garter stitch for 6.25 inches
Rows 1 & 3: k1 k2tog, knit to end
Row 2 and all other even rows: Knit to end
Rows 5, 7, & 9: k1, k2tog, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1
Rows 10-16: Knit to end
Rows 17, 19, & 21: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1 k1
Rows 23 & 25: k1, m1, knit to end
Knit in garter stitch for 6.25 inches
Bo

Bow:
Co 7 sts
Knit 4 rows
Next row: kfb 7 times
Knit in garter stitch for 6 inches.
Next row: k2tog 7 times
Knit 8 rows
Next row: kfb 7 times
Knit in garter stitche for 6 inches
Next row: K2tog 7 times
Knit 4 rows
Bo

Sew the co and bo edge together. This is the back of the bow.

Knot:
Pick up and knit 7 stitches on the center of the back of the bow, perpendicular to the seam.

Knit in garter stitch for 3.5 inches.

BO and sew to the back of the bow near where the stitches were picked up. The stitches should be stretched slightly.

Finishing:
With the yarn needle, sew the knot of the bow to the band with the knot at in the center of the narrowest point of the band. Try to avoid sewing through the top layer of the knot.

To make the bow lie with the band, tack down the back layer of the bow to the band. A few sewing stitches at the center of each side of the bow works well.

Evenly place and sew three hooks on the wrong side of the CO edge of the band with the sewing needle and thread.

Optional:
Mark where the ends of the band overlap when wearing it and place eyes to match the hooks.

ETA:
I’ve noticed that quite a few people are simply seaming up the back of their headband. Here are a few thoughts on why I went with hooks. The hooks make it adjustable so sizing is less of an issue. They also make it convertible between the headband and bow tie. Most importantly, the hooks are there because garter stitch stretches out. It bounces back when it’s reblocked but throughout the day, it’s handy to be able to readjust your headband when it starts getting loose without dunking it in water.

Please contact me if you find any errors in the pattern. The pattern is intended for personal use. If you want to sell your finished products, please contact me first. Do not redistribute this pattern.