Ear warmers are usually worked flat and seamed, but the texture, yarn weight, and size range can change the finished feel. These seven original patterns range from a twisted front and offset textured band to braided cables and ribbed styles.
These are seamed flat pieces, so a tapestry needle for closing the band is the one extra tool worth having.
Ear warmer patterns to explore
1. Twisted Crochet Ear Warmer Headband
Sarah Stearns’ twisted ear warmer has a knit-look stitch and a twist front that comes from the seam, and she promises the twist is easier than it looks. It is rated easy, and it is worked in bulky (category 5) yarn, Lion Brand Color Made Easy, on a K/10.5 (6.5 mm) hook. The finished size is 21 inches in diameter, and you can add or subtract starting chains to make it bigger or smaller. Sizes run from toddler through adult large.
2. Winterberry Ear Warmer
Michelle Moore’s Winterberry Ear Warmer is worked flat in long rows and finished with a simple seam, making it approachable for confident beginners. It comes in eight sizes, from 3 to 6 months up to large adult, in worsted weight #4 yarn (Premier Basix Mosaic in the sample) on an I/9 (5.5 mm) hook. The pattern includes a complete video tutorial, a yarn requirement chart and a size chart, and the free pattern is on the blog.
3. Hadlee Headband Earwarmer
Amy Ramnarine’s Hadlee headband can be made in 2 hours or less and uses less than 100 yards of yarn, about 49 to 56 yards of category 3, so you can use stash yarn. It is worked flat in single crochet rows and seamed at the ends, in teen (21 inch), adult small (22), adult medium (23) and adult large (24) head sizes. The teen size starts with a chain of 13. A free PDF download is offered on the page.
4. Morgan Ear Warmer Headband
Rhondda Mol’s Morgan Ear Warmer is made with simple single and double crochet stitches and covers toddler, small child, child, teen and adult sizes. She crocheted three samples in about 2 hours while watching Netflix. She likes ear warmers more than earmuffs because they don’t catch hair, and this one covers your ears, forehead and the back of your head while still leaving room for a ponytail or messy bun.
5. Braided Cable Ear Warmer
Rich Textures Crochet’s Braided Cable Ear Warmer is made using one skein of Selkirk Worsted wool (also used for her Beach Point Beanie), with a 5 mm hook. The video tutorial shows her working with a Birchwood hook by Rowan. It is the fanciest design in this list, with front and back post cables, and an ad-free PDF is sold on Etsy and Ravelry.
6. Hopscotch Winter Ear Warmer
Lisa Fox’s Hopscotch ear warmer comes in four sizes (toddler, child, small adult and large adult) and four finishing styles, simple, möbius, twisted and cinched, each with step-by-step instructions and photos. The cinched version gathers the center for a soft bow-like effect. It is budget friendly and doesn’t use a whole skein, and the stitch tutorials make it suitable for intermediate crocheters. It uses an H (5 mm) hook.
7. Ribbed Ear Warmer
Cookie’s ribbed ear warmer is adjustable for a perfect fit and made in any super bulky yarn, and she recommends a wool or wool blend to make sure it is really warm. She used a Loops & Threads yarn that is 50% acrylic and 50% wool, and she has made tons for markets, gifts and herself. Gauge is not relevant as long as you use super bulky yarn and a hook smaller than the yarn label recommends. The pattern cannot be resold or shared.
