Strap extenders can be used so that when you wear a mask the straps aren’t sitting on the back of your ears. This can be useful to people who have to wear masks all day long. It can also be helpful to people who wear hearing aids and/or glasses. Then you have one less thing sitting on the back of your ear.

I knit the straps above in a very simple way. A lot of the patterns I found online for straps were needlessly complex. Here’s how you can knit one easily…

Mask Strap Extender Pattern

Note: When you cast on the stitches, leave an 8 – 10 inch tail for sewing on the button on one side.

Cast on 30 stitches

Slip the 1st stitch of each row. Knit the rest of the stitches. Continue for about 15 rows or until you have the desired width.

Note: If you can cast off and end on the opposite side from the cast-on tail, you’ll have yarn attached for the button on the other side.  Leave behind 8 – 10 inches of yarn for that button.

Cast off.

Before sewing on the buttons make sure you have a tapestry needle that can fit through the buttonhole.

First take the yarn from the cast-on tail that’s already attached to the strap. Weave it to the center of the spot that you want the button to go. Then sew on the button and knot it at the back. Make sure it’s securely in place. You don’t want a button falling off when someone’s wearing their mask. Then do the same on the other side. Below is a link to a page with pics about sewing a button onto a knitted garment…

How to Tutorial – How to Sew a Button on a Knit Garment

I read that white yarn is good to use if you’re making a strap for someone in the medical field. Then they should be able to use bleach to disinfect it.

Stay safe everyone!

Mama Lisa