These are my notes for the free pattern by Ashley Moore.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/braided-headband-12

Depending on the yarn and head circumference, I knitted 9-10 pattern repeats instead of 12 as the pattern called for. I stopped knitting when the length was 20” and it fit around my 21” head with only a bit of stretching. I was able to make 2 headbands from one skein of the Red Heart Soft Essentials (Bulky); each headband weighed 2oz when finished. Two skeins will make 5 headbands. I’m also using KnitPicks’ Bulky Brava and Yarn Bee Sweet Delights Chunky. This little project has been a great use of my bulky scraps.

For smooth edges, I slipped the first stitch purl-wise and purled the last stitch of each row.

For the provisional cast on I used this method with a crochet hook:
https://youtu.be/0wkQRG4Tmv4

Video for Kitchener Stitch (slow motion):
https://youtu.be/9dYP_GeHLG0