purlJam

<pattern>

# Sweet Bow Filet Baby Headband
*A beginner-friendly filet crochet headband featuring a delicate bow motif*

---

## Skill Level
Beginner (Introduction to Filet Crochet)

## Sizes
- **Newborn**: 12-14" head circumference (0-3 months)
- **Infant**: 14-16" head circumference (3-6 months)  
- **Baby**: 16-18" head circumference (6-12 months)

*Pattern is written for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses: Newborn (Infant, Baby)*

## Finished Measurements
- **Circumference**: 11 (13, 15)" *[slightly smaller than head for stretch fit]*
- **Width**: 3"

*[Math Check: Circumference achieved through mesh square count × gauge]*

---

## Materials

### Yarn
- **Weight**: Worsted weight (Weight 4/Medium)
- **Yardage**: 30 (40, 50) yards
- **Suggested Fiber**: 100% soft acrylic or cotton blend (machine washable for baby items)
- **Suggested Yarn**: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, or similar

### Hook
- **Size**: US H/8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

### Notions
- Yarn needle for weaving ends and seaming
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Measuring tape

---

## Gauge
**In Filet Mesh Pattern:**
3 mesh squares = 2" (5 cm) wide
4 rows = 2" (5 cm) tall

*[Gauge Validation: 3 squares × 3 sts each = 9 sts over 2" = 4.5 sts/inch - appropriate for worsted filet]*

**To check gauge**: Chain 16, work 5 mesh squares across for 3 rows. Block lightly and measure.

⚠️ **Gauge is critical** for correct sizing and motif proportions. Adjust hook size if necessary.

---

## Abbreviations
| Abbrev. | Definition |
|---------|------------|
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| beg | beginning |

---

## Stitch Guide & Special Techniques

### Filet Crochet Basics
Filet crochet creates a grid pattern using two types of mesh squares:

**Open Mesh (OM)**: Creates the background
- Dc, ch 1, skip 1 st, dc (the dc posts are shared between squares)

**Filled Mesh (FM)**: Creates the design/motif  
- 3 dc worked into the space (replacing the ch-1 and skipped stitch)

### Foundation for Filet
- Chain multiple: (3 × number of squares) + 4
- The "+4" accounts for the turning chain (counts as first dc + ch-1)

### Reading the Chart
- **RS rows (odd)**: Read chart from RIGHT to LEFT
- **WS rows (even)**: Read chart from LEFT to RIGHT
- □ = Open Mesh
- ■ = Filled Mesh

### Starting Each Row
- **Row starting with Open Mesh**: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch-1), skip first 2 sts
- **Row starting with Filled Mesh**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 sts

---

## Pattern Notes
1. Headband is worked flat in rows, then seamed into a loop
2. The bow motif is centered on the headband
3. Filet crochet has natural stretch; sizing accounts for this
4. All sizes use the same chart; only the number of background squares changes
5. Turn work at end of each row

---

## Bow Motif Chart

```
     READ RS ROWS (1,3,5) → THIS WAY ←
     READ WS ROWS (2,4) ← THIS WAY →

     Background | BOW MOTIF (7 squares) | Background
     
Row 5: □ □ (□) | □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ | (□) □ □
Row 4: □ □ (□) | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | (□) □ □  
Row 3: □ □ (□) | □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ | (□) □ □
Row 2: □ □ (□) | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | (□) □ □
Row 1: □ □ (□) | □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ | (□) □ □

□ = Open Mesh    ■ = Filled Mesh
( ) = Additional squares for larger sizes
```

**Square Count per Size:**
- Newborn: 2 + 7 + 2 = **11 squares total**
- Infant: 3 + 7 + 3 = **13 squares total**
- Baby: 4 + 7 + 4 = **15 squares total**

*[Math Check: 11 (13, 15) squares × 2"/3 squares = 7.3 (8.7, 10)" + seam allowance + stretch = 11 (13, 15)" circumference ✓]*

---

## Instructions

### Foundation Chain

Ch **37 (43, 49)**.

*[Math Validation: (11 × 3) + 4 = 37 ✓ | (13 × 3) + 4 = 43 ✓ | (15 × 3) + 4 = 49 ✓]*

---

### Row 1 (RS) - Establish Mesh + Begin Bow

**Setup**: Dc in 6th ch from hook (skipped chs count as dc + ch-1 + skipped ch = first Open Mesh).

**For Newborn (11 squares: 2 OM, 7 motif, 2 OM):**
- *Background*: [Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch] 1 time — *2 OM complete*
- *Bow Row 1*: 
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch — *OM*
  - 3 dc in next 3 ch — *FM*
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch — *OM*
  - 3 dc in next 3 ch — *FM*
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch — *OM*
  - 3 dc in next 3 ch — *FM*
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch — *OM*
- *Background*: [Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch] 2 times — *2 OM*

**For Infant - add 1 OM each side:**
Work 1 additional OM before and after the motif section.

**For Baby - add 2 OM each side:**
Work 2 additional OM before and after the motif section.

**Stitch count end of Row 1**: 34 (40, 46) sts
*[Validation: (11 × 3) + 1 = 34 ✓ | (13 × 3) + 1 = 40 ✓ | (15 × 3) + 1 = 46 ✓]*

Turn work.

---

### Row 2 (WS) - Bow Center Band

Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch-1), skip next st, dc in next dc — *first OM made*.

**For Newborn:**
- *Background*: Work 1 more OM — *2 OM total*
- *Bow Row 2 (all Filled)*: 
  - 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next dc — *FM*
  - [2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next dc] 6 more times — *7 FM total*
- *Background*: Work 2 OM

**For Infant/Baby**: Work additional background OM as established.

**Stitch count**: 34 (40, 46) sts ✓

Turn work.

---

### Row 3 (RS) - Bow Body

Ch 4, skip next st, dc in next dc — *first OM*.

**For Newborn:**
- *Background*: Work 1 more OM — *2 OM total*
- *Bow Row 3*:
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc — *OM*
  - 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next dc — *FM*
  - [2 dc in sp/over sts, dc in next dc] 3 more times — *4 FM*
  - 2 dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next dc — *FM (5 total)*
  - Ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc — *OM*
- *Background*: Work 2 OM

**For Infant/Baby**: Work additional background OM as established.

**Stitch count**: 34 (40, 46) sts ✓

Turn work.

---

### Row 4 (WS) - Bow Center Band

Ch 4, skip next st, dc in next dc.

Work identical to **Row 2** (all filled mesh across bow motif).

**Stitch count**: 34 (40, 46) sts ✓

Turn work.

---

### Row 5 (RS) - Bow Tails/Ribbon Ends

Ch 4, skip next st, dc in next dc.

Work identical to **Row 1** (alternating OM and FM across bow motif).

**Stitch count**: 34 (40, 46) sts ✓

**Do not turn. Do not fasten off.**

---

## Edging (Optional but Recommended)

**Top Edge (continuing from Row 5):**
Ch 1, work 2 sc evenly into the side of each dc row along short edge, sc in each foundation ch across bottom, 2 sc in side of each row along second short edge. Slip st to first sc of Row 5 to join.

Fasten off, leaving a 12" tail for seaming.

---

## Finishing

### Seaming
1. Lay piece flat with RS facing up
2. Bring short edges together, aligning rows
3. Using yarn tail and yarn needle, whip stitch or mattress stitch short edges together
4. Weave in all ends securely

### Blocking (Recommended)
1. Wet block or steam block gently
2. Pin to measurements, ensuring bow motif is centered
3. Allow to dry completely

---

## Schematic

```
        ←—————— 11 (13, 15)" ——————→
        
    ↑   ┌─────────────────────────────┐
    |   │  □ □   ■ □ ■ □ ■   □ □      │  Row 5
    |   │  □ □   ■ ■ ■ ■ ■   □ □      │  Row 4
   3"   │  □ □   ■ ■ ■ ■ ■   □ □      │  Row 3  
    |   │  □ □   ■ ■ ■ ■ ■   □ □      │  Row 2
    |   │  □ □   ■ □ ■ □ ■   □ □      │  Row 1
    ↓   └─────────────────────────────┘
    
              ↑ BOW MOTIF ↑
                (centered)
                
        Work flat, then seam short ends
        to form circular headband
```

---

## Size Adjustment Tips

**For a wider headband**: Add 2 more rows (Rows 6-7) of all Open Mesh
**For a narrower headband**: Work only Rows 2-4 (reduces to ~2" width)
**For custom circumference**: Add or remove background Open Mesh squares (each square ≈ 0.67")

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| Headband too loose | Use smaller hook or reduce square count |
| Headband too tight | Use larger hook or add squares |
| Motif looks distorted | Check gauge; filet needs blocking |
| Holes look uneven | Ensure ch-1 spaces are consistent |
| Edges curling | Block piece; add sc edging |

---

## Pattern Key (Quick Reference)

**Open Mesh**: Dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc
**Filled Mesh**: 3 dc (filling the ch-1 space)
**Row Start (OM)**: Ch 4, sk 1, dc
**Row Start (FM)**: Ch 3, dc