Arcadia is a word that refers to a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature. The term is derived from the Greek province of the same name. It has developed into a poetic byword for an idyllic vision of unspoiled wilderness, associated with bountiful natural splendour and harmony.

The Arcadia Collection is a mini series of accessories that feature knitting and crochet as the best of friends. These may be a great time to learn a new skill or to swap your knitting for a friend’s crochet. It’s all about enjoying and celebrating the differences.

The Arcadian Coordinate Headband combines two fibre arts: knitting and crochet and so, “arcadian” seemed the perfect name for this pattern. It’s a quick knit in worsted weight yarn, one skein and as little as one day to complete – harmony and serendipity all in one!

The size is intended to fit the average adult female head, 51cm / 21 inches but there is a point mentioned in the instructions where this can be customized. I’ve given the Gender as “unisex”, there are some dudes who could probably rock and arcade wheel motif just as well as a girl. This motif is a variation on a very old crochet square of the “Granny” variety.

Tension / gauge for the motif is not critical. The worsted weight is worked on a slightly undersized hook as a design feature and to make it more substantial. As long as it blocks to the written dimensions, you’re good to go. I have given links to two (2) photo tutorials that demonstrate the motif and some of the the construction techniques in the written pattern.

Any smooth worsted weight will be fine for this project. Superwash, 100% merino, silk, bamboo, or rayon blended with wool have all tested well. An added bonus? This is a one-skein wonder, using approximately 100m of a 200m skein. Great for stashbusting and using up any leftover odds and ends lurking in the knitting basket