Trifle Headband Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet PatternFree Pattern
Written By Brittany Garber

Some projects arrive because they fill a gap you didn’t know you had. Others show up because they simply had to exist. The Trifle Headband is both. After designing the Trifle Cowl, I knew the stitch texture deserved another moment in the spotlight. This headband is the natural companion to its larger sibling: warm, rhythmic to crochet, and incredibly satisfying to wear.

If you’ve been wanting a quick win for your hooks—something soft, textured, and colorful—this headband may just become your new favorite make.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you make a purchase through one of the links provided, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. View my list of affiliates here.

Prefer an Ad-Free Pattern?

If you enjoy working from a clean, printable format, The Trifle Headband is also available as an ad-free PDF for $6.50. It includes a beautifully formatted version of the pattern, all photos, and is easy to store in your digital library.

Grab your PDF on:

My Shop
Ravelry

The full free pattern is included below. Purchasing the PDF is an optional way to support my work.

Inspiration Behind the Trifle Headband

The entire Trifle series began with one thought: what if this playful, bouncy textured stitch could shine in multiple forms? The Trifle Cowl was the first experiment—colorful, cozy, and irresistible in its simplicity. But as soon as I tried it on, I knew I wasn’t finished. A headband using the same stitch would not only complement the cowl but offer a quick, approachable project for makers who love instant gratification.

Same stitch. Same texture. Same color play. New way to wear it.

About the Yarn

For the Trifle Headband, I used Dove DK by Treehouse Knits, a smooth superwash merino yarn with beautiful stitch definition and rich, saturated colorways. Its clarity makes textured stitches pop, and its softness adds comfort without heaviness.

If you’ve made The Trifle Cowl, you already know how stitch pattern is. The headband gives you the same experience on a smaller, faster scale—plus, it’s a great way to use leftover yarn.

Yarn Substitutions

If Dove DK isn’t available or you want to explore different fibers or price points, here are excellent DK-weight alternatives that maintain good drape and stitch definition.

Budget-Friendly & Accessible Options

Wool & Wool-Blend Options

Luxury Options

Plant Fiber Options (Non-Wool)

The Trifle Headband is getting a little extra love this year because it’s part of the 24 Days of Quickies with Marly Bird and Friends. This annual event brings together an incredible lineup of designers and a whole collection of fast, giftable patterns to help you make the most of your December making time.

Each day features two crochet patterns, one knit pattern, and one delightfully unexpected “holiday armadillo”—a special bonus from the day’s spotlight designer. All featured patterns are available as free PDFs for 24 hours, so it’s worth checking in daily to see what’s new, download the patterns you love, and snag any designer treats you don’t want to miss.

If you’re looking to fill your month with quick projects, cozy makes, and a generous dose of community creativity, this event is such a fun way to do it.

Scroll down and click the red banner below and to get your free pattern.
Offer is good for TODAY ONLY (9am EST - 9pm EST).

Pattern Notes

  • Clu - Pull up a loop in the previous st, pull up a loop in the next st, YO, pull through remaining loops.

  • Pattern is worked flat, in rectangle. The ends are then sew together to form a twist.

  • This pattern is written in a crochet shorthand where ‘2sc’ means to crochet two stitches in the same stitch and ‘sc 2’ means to crochet two single crochets in the next two stitches.

  • Starting chs do not count as a st.

  • This pattern is written for a size 22" head circumference. Feel free to lengthen or shorten the starting chain as needed. Just be sure to end on an even number.

  • You will change color at your discretion. I recommend using the yarn you have the most of for the moss stitch rows. Feel free to experiment with your color layout! To help you plan: even rows are 6.88 yds~ and odd rows are 4.41 yds~.

  • For changing colors, I recommend pulling up a loop in the new color as the last YO of the stitch

  • Work stitches around ch sp.

DIfficulty

Easy

Gauge

4 in x 4 in | 10 cm x 10 cm

20 rows x 22 stitches

Blocked

Pattern: Work pattern over 35 stitches

Yarn

DK weight yarn

145 yds | 114 m

Sample is made with Dove DK Superwash Merino from Treehouse Yarns.

MC: 45 yds | 41 m

CC: 80 yds | 73 m

Tools

4.00mm / G Hook - Check out my favorite

1 Stitch Marker

Scissors

Tapestry Needle

Dimensions

Circumference

19 in / 48 cm

Height

4 in / 10 cm

Abbreviations

Cc: Contrast color
Ch(s): Chain(s)
Clu: Custer stitch - see notes
MC: Main Color
RS: Right Side
Sc: Single crochet
Sk: Skip
Sm: Stitch marker
Sp: Space
St(s): Stitch(es)
WS: Wrong Side
YO: Yarn over

Pattern Instructions

Set up: Ch 96.

Color changes are at your discretion. For my version, I changed colors every row.

Row 1: [WS] In the second ch from the hook, *sc, ch 1, sk 1.* * Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn. (95 sts)

Row 2: [RS] Ch 1. Sc, ch 1,* clu, ch 1.* Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn. (95 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1. Sc 2, *ch 1, sk 1, sc* Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn. (95 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1. Sc 2, ch 1, *clu, ch 1,.* Repeat * to * until 2 sts remain, sc 2. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1.* Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1. Sc, ch 1,* clu, ch 1.* Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn. (95 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1. Sc 2, *ch 1, sk 1, sc* Repeat * to * until 1 st remains, sc. Turn. (95 sts)

Row 8 - 21: Repeat Rows 4 - 7.

You can add more or fewer rows as you see fit. Just be sure to end on a row 5 or 7 repeat.

Row 22: Loosely slst in every stitch. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in tail. You’ll use it to seam.

Weave in all ends before seaming.

Seaming

This headband is finished using a technique to create a twist in the middle.

To do this, fold your project so that the right sides are facing. Form and ’S’ with the ends and interlock them.

Take a darning needle and sew through all four layers of fabric to secure the twist.

Fasten off & weave in ends.

Turn right side out.

Look fabulous!

Weave in ends.

Thank you for spending a little time stitching with me today. The Trifle Headband was such a joy to create, and I hope it brings the same comfort and delight to your hook as it did to mine. Whether you pair it with the Trifle Cowl or let it shine on its own, I’d love to see what colors you choose. Share your makes on Instagram and tag me or pop into my community Discord so I can cheer you on.

Until the next cozy project—happy crocheting.

Brittany Garber
Next

Hearthbound Scarf Free Pattern