Mami & Mini-Me – When a Few Stitches Become a Special Memory

Sometimes the simplest projects hold the loveliest memories.

I originally designed these headbands for my niece as part of a school project, where she even got to model her finished piece herself. And, of course, she was incredibly proud of it. 😊

A few years later, this pattern is coming back out of my archives – just in time for cosy headband season.

With Mami & Mini-Me, you get two different versions: a playful children’s headband with a bow and an adult headband with a casual turban-style look.

Both versions are crocheted in a simple herringbone pattern. It looks beautifully textured but is actually created with just a small variation of the half treble crochet (US: half double crochet).

So, grab your yarn and crochet hook – and let’s get started with Mami & Mini-Me.

What You’ll Need

For the original samples, I used OnLine LINIE 100 SUPERCOLOR 100.

Children’s Headband with Bow

• approx. 50 g / 100 m (109 yds) in colour No. 16 Jeans

Adult Headband

• approx. 60 g / 120 m (131 yds) in colour No. 05 Marine

You will also need a 5.5 mm crochet hook (US I-9) and a yarn needle for sewing and weaving in ends.

You can, of course, use another comparable yarn. The most important thing is to make sure that your tension is reasonably close to the measurements given below.

Sizes

The children’s headband is designed for a head circumference of approx. 50 cm (19¾ in) and is suitable for approximately 3 to 7 years.

The adult version is designed for a head circumference of approx. 54 cm (21¼ in).

My Tip

Headbands should be worked slightly smaller than the actual head circumference so that they fit snugly. As different yarns can have different amounts of stretch, it is best to try the headband on as you go or adjust the length to suit the required head circumference.

Gauge

In the main pattern:

16 sts = 10 cm (4 in) in width
14 rows = 10 cm (4 in) in height

The same tension applies to both versions.

Abbreviations

ch = chain
dc (US: sc) = double crochet (US: single crochet)
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
t-ch = turning chain
Special st = Herringbone Half Treble Crochet (US: Herringbone Half Double Crochet)

[ … ] = Repeat the instructions between square brackets continuously as indicated.

Special Stitch: Herringbone Half Treble Crochet (US: Herringbone Half Double Crochet)

The characteristic herringbone texture is created with a small variation of the half treble crochet (US: half double crochet).

Yarn over once and insert the hook into the next chain or stitch. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch.
You now have 3 loops on your hook.

Pull the last loop drawn up through the loop directly next to it on the hook. You now have 2 loops remaining on the hook.

Yarn over again and pull through both remaining loops.

Your Herringbone Half Treble Crochet (US: Herringbone Half Double Crochet) is complete.

This is the special stitch used for both headbands.

Version 1: Mini-Me – Children’s Headband with Bow

The children’s headband is first crocheted as a simple rectangle worked in rows.

The two short edges are then joined. The decorative bow is made separately and sewn onto the headband at the end.

Main Pattern Worked in Rows

The pattern can be worked over any number of stitches.

Row 1:
Begin with 2 ch to replace the first Special st. Then work 1 Special st into each remaining ch.

Row 2:
Work 2 ch to replace the first Special st. Then work 1 Special st into each st of the previous row.

Row 3:
Work 2 ch to replace the first Special st, then work 1 Special st into each st.

Work Rows 1–3 once. Then repeat Rows 2 and 3 throughout.

For easier reference, the main pattern is also shown as a crochet chart. You can either follow the written instructions or work directly from the chart.

How to Crochet the Children’s Headband

Make 76 ch. The first two ch replace the first Special st and are already included in the total of 76 ch.

Work the first Special st into the 3rd ch from the hook, then continue directly in the main pattern described above, working back and forth in rows.

Work a total of 11 rows.

Place the two short edges of the crocheted rectangle together. Using the working yarn, join them by sewing or crocheting the edges together.

The main headband is now complete.

The Bow

Make 35 ch, including the turning chains.

Work this small rectangle in the main pattern for a total of 8 rows.

Place the two short edges together and sew them closed.

Now crochet a chain measuring approx. 15 cm (6 in). Shape the small crocheted rectangle into a bow and wrap the chain around its centre. Secure it in place, then sew the finished bow onto the headband.

My Tip

Position the bow directly over the seam of the headband. This hides the join and gives you a particularly neat finish.

Finally, weave in all loose ends carefully. If the sides of the bow stick out a little, secure them to the headband with one or two small, almost invisible stitches.

Version 2: Mami – Turban-Style Headband

The adult version is constructed differently: this headband is crocheted directly in rounds.

A separate crocheted ring is then added. It covers the round join while creating the characteristic turban-style look.

Main Pattern Worked in Rounds

This pattern can also be worked over any number of stitches.

Round 1:
Begin with 2 ch to replace the first Special st. Then work 1 Special st into each ch.

Close the round with 1 sl st into the first ch at the beginning of the round.

Round 2:
Work 2 ch to replace the first Special st, then work 1 Special st into each st of the previous round.

Round 3:
Work 2 ch, then work 1 Special st into each st of the previous round.

Work Rounds 1–3 once. Then repeat Rounds 2 and 3 throughout.

For this version, you will also find the main pattern as a crochet chart. It complements the written instructions and lets you see the stitch pattern at a glance.

How to Crochet the Adult Headband

Make 87 ch and join the foundation chain to form a ring, taking care not to twist it.

Continue in the main pattern worked in rounds and crochet a total of 14 rounds.

The main headband is now complete.

The Ring for the Turban-Style Look

For the decorative ring, make 16 ch. The first ch serves as the turning chain and is already included in the total of 16 ch.

The small rectangle is then worked in rows.

Row 1:
Work the first dc (US: sc) into the 2nd ch from the hook. Then repeat 1 ch, skip 1 ch of the foundation chain, 1 dc (US: sc) into the next ch to the end of the row.

Row 2:
Work 1 ch. Then repeat 1 dc (US: sc) around the ch of the previous row, 1 ch over the dc (US: sc) of the previous row to the end of the row.

Row 3:
Work 1 ch. Then repeat 1 dc (US: sc) around the ch of the previous row, 1 ch over the dc (US: sc) of the previous row to the end of the row.

Work Rows 1–3 once, then repeat Rows 2 and 3 throughout.

The following crochet chart shows the simple stitch pattern row by row.

Work a total of 15 rows following the chart.

Wrap the finished rectangle around the headband and join the two short edges to form a ring. Position the ring so that it covers the round join.

Finally, weave in all loose ends carefully.

Mami, Mini-Me – or Simply Your Very Own Look

Of course, the two headbands don’t have to be worn as a matching set. 😉

Both versions look just as lovely on their own and can be given a completely different character simply by changing the yarn or colours.

The herringbone pattern gives both designs a beautifully dense, textured finish without requiring you to learn a complicated stitch pattern.

🧶 Now it’s your turn!
Which headband will be on your hook first: Mini-Me with its playful bow or Mami with its casual turban-style look? Of course, you can make both and create your very own matching set. When it comes to yarn and colours, as always: anything you love goes!

📸 I’d love to see your finished headbands here on CrazyPatterns.
I’m already looking forward to seeing your colour choices and how you make the two versions your own.

✨ And if you enjoy my posts, I’d be delighted if you follow my blog here on CrazyPatterns. Simply click “Follow” at the top of the page, directly below the article title – you’ll find the button in the row with the article information. That way, you won’t miss any new #FreeStitches featuring free knitting and crochet patterns.

🧡 Perhaps you'll also enjoy exploring more articles on my CrazyPatterns blog - or maybe you'll discover your next favourite pattern in my shop.

And perhaps a small crochet project will become a special memory for you, too. After all, that’s exactly what happened with ours.

Happy crocheting!

With love,
Kathrin with Emma & Muki

Photos, designs & content © Kathrin | ParkaDesigns by stricken-im-trend.com