The (Somewhat) Definitive Guide to Tying Headscarves

As with almost everything else, there is a wide spectrum of opinions on headcoverings in the Church–where and when they should be worn, when girls should start wearing them, and why (or why not) they should be worn. Regardless of your opinions on headcoverings, if you have ever tried to wear one while wrangling children (or watched someone wear one while wrangling children!), you know that they can be difficult to keep in place. Between children tugging on the ends or trying to play peekaboo (just my toddler?) and the combined heat of a scarf and a little one, scarves can become a downright nuisance!

Here, I’ve collected six alternatives to the standard single loop or knot-under-the-chin styles. If you struggle with keeping your headscarf in place, or you’re interested in starting to cover your head, hopefully these methods will keep you cool as a cucumber (both literally and figuratively) during services.

Three years ago I moved to Goldendale from Wenatchee. Many things changed for me then, and one of them was that I was now minutes away from a large women’s monastery. Many of the Orthodox families in the area attend monastery services to be with family, soak up the grace, or simply because they live closer to it than to a regular parish. Although I attend the mission in town, I still visit the monastery often to assist the sisters with their work, and it has been highly beneficial. My and my parents’ plan was to make visiting the monastery part of my education. And I have been learning a lot–it almost feels like a type of home economics course. I’ve discovered how to chop the perfect size of lettuce and how to fold fitted sheets (yes, it’s possible). However, my education and learning is not the only thing that’s flourishing–let’s not forget that this is a monastery!