Granny Square Meets Glow: Easy Crochet Headband Pattern You’ll Love

Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial

Ready to crochet something fun, unique, and absolutely eye-catching? This glow-in-the-dark granny square headband is the perfect project to show off your creativity! Combining the timeless charm of granny squares with the sleek texture of the moss stitch, this headband is as stylish as it is cozy.

This pattern makes a great gift and is ideal for beginners. Plus, the glow-in-the-dark yarn adds a playful twist that will light up your look—literally! It’s a great way to add a pop of fun to your wardrobe or wow your friends with something truly one-of-a-kind.

The Glow Yarn is optional-of course. If you don't have it on hand, simply use any plain, contrasting yarn, preferably in a bright color!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Materials Needed

• Lion Brand DIY Glow Yarn in any color (Color A)
• Aran / Worsted weight yarn. I used Big Twist Rave 100% Premium Acrylic (Color B)
• Crochet hook: 5 mm
• A tapestry needle
• A pair of scissors
• Measuring tape (if person you're making this headband for is not available)
• Headband Sizing Chart (available for Free Download below)

Abbreviations Used in Pattern

• Ch = Chain
• Mc = Magic Circle
• Sc = single crochet
• Dc = double crochet
• Sk a st = Skip a stitch
• Sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• fo = fasten off

Skill Level

Intermediate

Measurements/Size

Please refer to the headband sizing chart below for desired sizing. This headband I made measures 48 cm (18.9").

Yardage

I used about 82 m for this project (90 yards)

Gauge

15 sts and 12 rows in hdc = 10 cm (4") with a 5 mm hook.

Special Stitches (Moss/Granite Stitch)

This is how the Moss/Granite stitch is worked up:

Foundation Chain:

1. Start by making a foundation chain that is a multiple of 2, plus 1 additional chain. For example, if you want your piece to be 10 stitches wide, chain 21 (10 x 2 + 1).

Row 1:

1. Skip the first chain and work a single crochet (sc) into the second chain from your hook.
2. Chain 1, then skip the next chain and work a single crochet into the next chain.
3. Repeat (chain 1, skip 1, single crochet) all the way across the row.
4. End with a single crochet into the last chain.
   Now, your first row should look like a series of single crochet stitches with spaces between them.

Row 2:

1. Turn your work.
2. To start the new row, chain 1.
3. Single crochet into the first chain-1 space (the space between two single crochets from the previous row).
4. Chain 1, then single crochet into the next chain-1 space.
5. Repeat this pattern across the row, working into each chain-1 space from the previous row.
6. Finish the row with a single crochet into the final stitch (the top of the last single crochet from the previous row).

Repeat Row 2:

• Continue repeating Row 2 until your piece reaches the desired length.
• You’ll notice that the pattern creates a nice textured fabric with little bumps, which are the result of the chain-1 spaces.

Notes

• You can make the pattern larger or smaller by either: changing the yarn weight and/or hook size, adding or reducing the number of rows in the moss stitch section of the headband. Below is a FREE headband sizing chart for you.
• Ch 2 (or ch 3) at the beginning of a round counts as a double crochet stitch (dc).
•  Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.

• Head Circumference: Measure around the widest part of the head and subtract the desired amount of negative ease (1–2 inches).

Example Calculation:

• Head circumference: 22 inches
• Desired ease: 2 inches negative
• Headband length: 20 inches

- Numbers at the end of each row (in brackets) indicate the number of final stitches in that row. 

- Please note that I use US crochet terms.

Glow-in-the-Dark Granny Square Headband Crochet Pattern (PDF Printable)

Would you rather have a PDF version of this pattern to print out? Click below to access this downloadable document for a small fee. You'll have the text-only version of the pattern in a couple of pages + all progress photo instructions separately.

Glow-in-the-Dark Granny Square Headband Crochet Pattern Instructions

PART I: Headband Front Section (Granny Squares x 3)

• With Glow Yarn, tie a slip knot on your hook, Ch 4. 
• Join to the first stitch with a slip stitch to form a circle.

Note: You could also try the Magic Circle for a tight & closed center if you wish. Here's a video on how to start with a Magic Circle the easy way.

Note: If you'd like to watch a video on how to crochet Granny Squares step-by-step, click on the button below.

Round 1: 

• Ch 2 (counts as first double crochet).
• 2 dc into the center of your circle, ch 2, [3 dc into center of circle, ch 2], repeat brackets [ ] 2 more times. If you started with a MC, pull it closed now.
• Join with a sl st to the top of your first st at the beginning of this round. Leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off. Pull through the loop tightly to secure.

You should have 4 clusters of 3 dc at this point and 4 corner gaps (the ch 2 after each cluster creates a corner).

Round 2: (Color B)

• Attach your Big Twist yarn (Color B) to a corner space with a ch st. 

Optional: Try to hold your 2 yarn tails as you crochet over them with your Color B so you don't have to weave in these ends later.

• Ch 2 (counts as the first dc), 2 dc into the same corner space, ch 2, 3 dc into the same corner space again, ch 1. (You just completed a corner cluster).
•  [Skip to the next corner space (big hole) and work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1] all into that same corner space.
• Repeat the brackets above [ ] 2 more times (one in each remaining corner space).
• In the final corner, join with sl st to the top of your beginning ch 2.
• Leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off. Pull through the loop tightly to secure.

Round 3: (Color A)

• Attach your Glow yarn (Color A) to a corner space with a ch. 
• Ch 2, 2 dc into the same corner space, ch 2, 3 dc into the same corner space again, ch 1.
• Skip to next ch 1 space and work 3 dc, ch 1.
• [Skip to the next corner space and work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1.
• Skip to next ch 1 space and work 3 dc, ch 1.]
• Repeat [ ] brackets 2 more times .
• Join with a sl st to the top of your beginning ch 2. 
• Leave a long tail, cut your yarn and fasten off. Pull through the loop tightly to secure. (You need about double the length of one granny square side. You'll be using this tail later to join your granny squares.)

Work up 2 more Granny Squares. 2 squares should be the same and you can alternate your colors with the 3rd square (starting with Color B for Round 1).

Sew your granny squares together using the invisible seam/mattress stitch (instructions below). 

How to Stitch Granny Squares Together with the Invisible Seam

1. Align Your Squares: Lay your 3 granny squares side by side, with the right sides (the side you want to be visible) facing up. Position them how you want them on your headband (the one with alternate colors in the middle).
2. Stitch With Your Needle: Thread a yarn needle with the yarn tail you left after fastening off your granny square. Insert the needle under the back loop of the corner stitch of the first square and then under the front loop of the corresponding corner stitch of the second square.
   • Note: These stitches would be the ones closest to each other. 

PART II: Headband Back Section (Moss/Granite Stitch)

Row 1: Stitch a row of sc into one of the short sides of your granny strip with Color B, ch 1, turn (13).

Row 2: [sk a st, sc, ch 1] x 7 (We are starting the moss stitch from this row. For detailed instructions, follow the pattern written in the Special Stitches section above.

At the end of Row 2, turn your work.

Repeat Row 2 till you get to the length you need for your headband. Please refer to the headband sizing chart below.

Measure one side of your 3 granny squares together and deduct that length from the total circumference you need. This number will give you the length of the back section (worked in the moss stitch).

Once you reach the length required (remembering to leave 2" for negative ease), leave a long tail and cut your yarn.

So if the headband length you need is 48 cm (19"), measure the side length of your 3 granny squares. Mine measured: 30 cm (12") in total. So what's remaining to crochet in the moss stitch is (48 - 30 =18 cm) or (19" -12") = 7"

Joining & Adding the Border

Once you're done with the moss stitch section of your headband, fold it in half and lay it with the wrong side facing up. Join the ends of your headband with slip sts through both the front and back loops (13 sts). Do not cut your yarn.

Flip your headband inside out so that the right side is facing up.

Lay your headband flat so that the right side is facing up. 

Sc a border along the top of your headband.
Note: You will either start with the moss stitch section and continue along the tops of the granny squares, or start with the granny squares and continue along the moss stitch section. The direction will depend on whether you ended your moss stitches in an odd or even row. Skip the ch gaps of the granny squares. Only crochet into the tops of the dc (cluster) sts.

Leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Once you're done with the sc border on the top of your headband, turn your headband around.

Re-attach your yarn to the corner of the granny square connected to the moss st section of your headband. Sc the border in the same way around your headband.

Leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Weave in any loose ends.

And voila! You've got yourself a pretty glow-in-the-dark Granny Square Headband! Who are you going to give it to? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Happy hooking!

May

Related Posts

Want to see even more crochet headband patterns? Have a look at these:

1. The Easiest Crochet Headband Pattern (Perfect for Beginners!)
2. The Easiest Crochet Earmer Pattern (No Fuss, Just Fun!)