I tried about three or four different patterns for a headband like this and I just couldn’t get it. I finally just worked it out in a way that made sense to me. I made two headbands with one skein of Lion Brand Thick and Quick with one ounce to spare.

I used provisional cast on with a crochet chain, super bulky yarn, and 6.5mm needles. Use double pointed needles so will be able to slip stitches off working the cable.

Cast on 16 stitches, work k1,p1 ribbing to 9.5” (or half of desired length), then worked the cable: Work 8 stitches (half of the total stitches) in k1,p1 ribbing, then cross the needle with the stitches you just worked in front of the other needle (the working yarn will be on the left) and slip the unworked stitches off the back needle (starting with stitch farthest to left) on to the right side of the front needle. At this point, just flip around (so working yarn is on the right side of the needle) and continue working rows of k1, p1 ribbing until length measures 19” or desired length.
Seam the live edges together.

Photos 2 -5 Show how to work the cable.

NOTE: (Shown in last 2 photos)As you continue to work after the able is complete, as the piece gets longer it may twist over and look like you did something wrong. It’e fine just flip the end back over. I can’t tell you how many times I started over because I thought I did something wrong.