CROCHET UNICORN ALICE BAND – FREE PATTERN

I got a request to make one of these, but after some googling was convinced that I should just buy one. I mean they are everywhere at the moment and I’m currently struggling with some Christmas socks (yep, already). But as I was shopping I found a nice thick glittery Alice band and wanted to give it a go after all.

It turned out to be surprisingly easy. I crochet a small strip as a base, to which I sewed the different pieces to. Then all I had to do was to mark the top center of the headband and use my handy glue gun to attach the strip onto the Alice band.

It is very rare for a project to go so flawlessly. In my case there are usually a few do-overs, some cursing and temporary quitting involved, but this time things just fell into place so I thought I better save the instructions here.

Tools and Materials

– 3mm and 4.5mm crochet hook

– Darning needle + Scissors for sewing

– Glue gun. I would imagine other glues work too.

– King Cole Chunky Riot yarn, or similar. I did this as a scrap yarn project

– King Cole Rio yarn (dk) was also used for couple of the smaller flowers and the spiral effect on the horn.

– Toy filling (just for the horn)

– Alice band

Instructions

The instructions have been written with UK terms. Please refer to the conversion chart below for US terms.

The Horn

– 3mm crochet hook

Note: close every round with a ss in the beg ch1.

Start by making a magic loop

Rnd 1. ch1, 6 htr in the loop,

Rnd 2. ch1, (1 htr in next two sts, 2 htr in next st) x 2 (8 sts)

Rnd 3. ch1, 1 htr in each st (8 sts)

**This is a good time to secure the magic loop by weaving in the tail of yarn from the beginning**

Rnd 4. ch1, (1 htr in next three sts, 2 htr in next st) x 2 (10 sts)

Rnd 5. ch1, 1 htr in each st (10 sts)

Rnd 6. ch1, (1 htr in next four sts, 2 htr in next st) x 2 (12 sts)

Rnd 7. ch1, 1 htr in each st (12 sts)

Rnd 8. ch1, (1 htr in next 5 sts, 2 htr in next st) x 2 (14 sts)

Rnd 9. ch1, 1 htr in each st (14 sts)

Rnd 10. ch1, 1 htr in each st (14 sts)

Rnd 11. ch1, 1 htr in each st (14 sts)

Rnd 13. Work in the back loops only: ch1, (1dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog) x 2 (12 sts)

**This is a good time to stuff the horn**

Rnd 14. dc2tog x 6 (6 sts)

Cut the yarn, sew through the rest of the stitches and weave the last end.

For the spiral effect: use a length (approx 60 cm) of dk yarn in contrasting or brighter colour to the horn for sewing. Anchor the thread to the base of the horn with a few stitches. Wrap it around the horn quite tightly in a spiral motion and anchor the thread to the tip of the horn. Now sew over the spiral (from the tip of the horn to the bottom) securing the spiral in place and making the effect more visible.

Ears (make two)

– 3mm crochet hook

Note: close every round with a ss in the beg chain.

Start by leaving a tail for sewing.

Rnd 1. ch7, close the loop

Rnd 2. ch1, dc in each st (7 sts)

Rnd 3. ch1, dc in each st, whilst increasing 1 st (8 sts)

Rnd 4. ch1, (dc in next st, dc 2 in next st) x 4 (12 sts)

Rnd 5. ch1, 1 dc in each st (12 sts)

Rnd 6. ch1, (dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog) x 3 (9 sts)

Rnd 7. ch1, (1dc in next st, dc2tog) x 3 (6 sts)

Rnd 8. ch1, dc2tog x 3 (3 sts)

Cut the yarn and sew the tip of the ear shut.

Unicorn Curls

– 4.5mm crochet hook

ch50, 1 dc in 2nd st from the hook, 2 dc in next stitch. (1dc in next st, 2dc in next st) till the end of the row, cut yarn, but leave (leave a tail for sewing).

Tip: for twistier curls, dc 2 in each st.

Flowers

For my Unicorn Alice band I used 2 x small Flower 1 with dk yarn and 2 x Flower 2 with Aran weight yarn. But feel free to mix and match as you like

– 4.5mm hook if using Aran/chunky weight yarn, 3mm hook if using dk weight yarn.

Remember to leave a tail for sewing.

Flower 1

Start by making a magic loop and work the following into the loop:

(ch8, ss in the loop) x 7, cut the yarn and weave in one end.

For a bigger version ch12 in stead of 8 for each petal.

Flower 2

Start by making a magic loop and work the following into the loop:

(ch6, tr, ch6, ss in the loop) x 5, cut the yarn and weave in one end.

Base Strip

– 4.5mm crochet hook

Rnd 1. ch 15, dc in 2nd chain from the hook, and in every stitch till the end of the row (turn work)

Rnd 2. ch 1, dc in each stitch, cut yarn and weave in ends.

Assembly

I steamed the flowers, ears and the base strip before sewing. Iron on full steam hovering 1 cm away from the pieces.

I started by sewing the ears onto the opposite edges of the base strip. Then I sewed the horn tightly in the middle and filled the gaps with flowers. Lastly I sewed the unicorn curls to the back edge of the base strip right behind the horn.

Gluing is pretty straight forward. Mark the center of the band (where the horn should go), heat up your glue gun and clue the base strip on the band. And done!

Pattern copyright Ida @ Lemon Bee Designs 2018. All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce or sell my patterns. You may sell products made from this pattern, but remember to  credit back to Ida @ Lemon Bee Designs as the designer.