Pretty, Simple Hairband

I had been thinking about making some covered buttons with this blue skein of Lace Sensation, but after last week's headband failure I changed my mind. Also I kept forgetting to buy the button kit.

Pretty, Simple Hairband

Materials

• approximately 10yd laceweight yarn
• Size 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles
• 1 bead with opening just large enough for 2 strands of i-cord (the bead should not slide easily, but should stay in place unless purposely moved)
• Elastic bobbin thread
• Darning needle

Instructions

1. CO 4 using the backward-loop method.
2. Knit i-cord until you have enough to make a test (overhand) knot. Measure how much cord the test knot uses, then unknot.
3. Continue to knit until the cord's length, slightly stretched, equals your head circumference plus (2 x test knot length) plus (2 x depth of bead).
4. To bind off, k2tog twice, then pass first k2tog over second.  Pull tail through and tighten.
5. Using darning needle, thread a double-thickness of elastic thread through the center of the i-cord. "Massage" the i-cord until the elastic is as relaxed as possible inside.
6. Secure the elastic at each end (I knotted mine onto the yarn tails).
7. On one end only, draw tails inside the cord. Tie one overhand knot at that end. Make it very firm and as close to the end as is possible without it coming undone.
8. Thread the unknotted end left-to-right through the bead, and pull through partway. Then thread the same end through again, still left-to-right through the bead. You may need to use the needle and pull the tails through first. Be careful not to catch the already threaded cord with the needle.
9. Repeat step 5 with the unknotted end. Snug the knots up against the bead.