Easy knit pattern to make these ear warmers – perfect for winter. Add a crochet rose for a simple decoration.
Last winter I saw these everywhere. But I just can’t bring myself to pay for one! Not when I know how to knit myself! But finding a pattern was tough.
I knew I could make one up if I wanted to, but it’s easier to start with one. Eventually, after mixing a few different patterns I found what worked for me.
Now remember everyone has a different gauge so if you need to adjust it to fit your gauge then do that! This is more of a guide than a pattern. I’m a more intuitive knitter, changing and “fixing” patterns as I go.
So if something doesn’t make sense to email me and I’ll try to clarify! Hopefully this “guide” will make sense to you and it will click as you work on it! This fit my daughters and me just fine. The knit stretches a bit so it’s kind of one size fits all!
Buy the Ad-Free pattern pdf here!
Headband Earwarmer
Materials:
Size 6 or 8 knitting needles (I went with size 8 needles)
Favorite medium weight yarn (about a skein)
Size J Crochet Hook (optional)*
Button
Gauge:
7 stitches per 2 inches
Finished Size:
22″-24″ long (your preference) and 4″ wide at widest part
We’ll be working a Knit/Purl rib pattern across ever row.
Cast on 7 stitches.
row 1: Knit/purl/knit/purl cont…
row 2: next row purl/knit/purl/ cont…
repeat until you have 4 rows.
Now we’re going to start our increase. Well increase every odd row, and repeat the rib pattern on every even row. Now after every other increase you’ll have two knit’s or two purls in a row. Don’t worry about it. It will be fixed on your next increase. row
Row 5: Repeat your rib pattern until the center stitch. Use your favorite increase here. then repeat the rib pattern
Row 6: rib pattern
Row 7: rib pattern until you get to the center. when you hit the double knit (or purl) in the center pick up the loop between stitches and purl (or knit) to continue the pattern.
Row 8: rib pattern
Repeat 5-8 until the patterns is about 4 inches across. Make sure your repeating a nice knit/purl pattern all the way across (no double stitch in the center- It will be an odd number of stitches on your needle).
Now the decrease will be the same length as the increase so figure out how long you want your headband. When it’s half as long as you want it to be notice how long you’ve been stitching the 4 inch wide center. (in my case about 3 inches) and finish the center by adding the same length again (another 3 inches).
Time to start the decrease.
Row 1 (of decrease): repeat the pattern until you get to the center stitch. Decrease by knitting (or purling) together the center and the next stitch (creating whatever the second stitch is eg. if your center stitch is a knit your middle will be a purl and purl together). Repeat the rib pattern.
Row 2: Rib pattern across (there will be a double knit/purl in the center- even number of stitches)
Row 3: Rib pattern to the center, knit (or purl) the double stitches together.
Row 4: Rib pattern across (back to an odd number of stitches)
When you get back to 7 stitches bind off leaving one stitch on the needle. At this point I transfered that stitch to a crochet hook and Worked a chain of 6. I’m sure there is a way to do a chain on knitting needle, but the crochet hook is the quickest.
At this point you can attach it with a single crochet to the other side of the bottom edge. OR if you want a more decorative edge you can crocheting around the edge. I used a single crochet around the edge all the way back around the button hole back to where I started the crocheting. Secure the end and weave in the tail!
Add a button to the first side and try it on! Decorate however you’d like. I like this crochet flower!
Crochet Flower
J Hook (or whatever your preference to get the size you’d like)
Yarn (same color or other)
This flower can be as tight or as loose as you’d like it, so the size depends on that.
Chain 53
Row 1: DC in 5th Chain from hook *CH 1, skip 1 (DC-CH-DC) in next ch (V stitch made). repeat from * across to end, turn.
Row 2: CH 3 (counts as DC) 5 DC in CH space, *SC in next CH-1 space, 6 DC in next CH-1 space (shell stitch made). Repeat from *, ending in 6 DC in last CH-1 space. Fasten off, but leave a good LONG tail for anchoring the flower. 10 inches or so.
Finishing
Threading the tail onto the needle and weave it into the base of the last stitch. Starting at that end, roll the first shell tighly to form the center bud. Stitch this one tightly. Keep rolling and stitching as you see fit. You can roll loosely or tightly depending on your preference.
Erin Stoloff
What yarn do you use? I’d like to get an idea of the weight to choose an appropriate yarn and gauge. Thanks!
Ashlee
medium weight… worsted… Anything you find that knits well with the needle size would work though. light yarn with give you a more lacy airy look, narrower too, but I would stay away from bulky!
michelle523
Love it. I have been meaning to make one of these. I see them on girls everywhere.
Ashlee
I do to, my little girls wear them more than me (they flatten my faux hawk!)
Kathy Marsh
hi, did you post your crochet pattern for this headband?
Ashlee
I never bothered making one, I remember seeing a bunch of free crochet patterns already out there so I didn’t!
Rachel
I have tried this pattern and given up after the 6th row each time. I would really appreciate a video tutorial. Thank you! My knitting skills are minimal and would really love to learn to make these.
Ashlee
Like I say in the pattern itself: “Now after every other increase you’ll have two knit’s or two purls in a row. Don’t worry about it. It will be fixed on your next increase. row” so it’s a rib pattern, but not a rib pattern, purl, knit, purl, knit, knit, purl, knit, purl…
Rachel
I really need a tutorial on the increase for this pattern
Ashlee
The reason I left it vague is because most knitters have a favorite increase they like to use. it’s just an increase in the center every other row until it’s as wide as you want it. Pick your favorite knitting increase and go for it! There are so many different styles and the one that worked for me might not work for you!
Kelli
Hi Ashlee. Thanks for the great pattern! I’ve made a couple of these as gifts and I love them! I was wondering what your thoughts are on copyrights for your designs. I am thinking of starting an etsy shop and would love to offer these ear warmers. Let me know your thoughts! Feel free to email me if you like.
Ashlee
your so welcome! I don’t mind if you make and sell them since I don’t want to. But please don’t sell the pattern and give me credit. That way people who want to make their own can and those who want to buy can as well.
teeshann
been looking for a good pattern for these. so glad to have found your blog. definatly making a few for christmas gifts. thank you so much.
Ashlee
your so welcome! My girls love them! they knit up really fast and they do make great gifts! Have fun!
Almira
This is lovely! I have been looking for a pattern and I was led to your website. Thanks for sharing. Im a beginner for this. My query is would it be ok to use a circular needle for this? Pls let me know. Thanks.
Ashlee
I guess you could.. but it’s not a circular pattern, you’d be using them like regular needles, back and forth, row by row
nancy
I dont know how to knit :{ But i want to crochet this head band.. HELP !!!!!!
Ashlee
do a google, ravelry or pinterest search on crochet ear warmers, there are plenty of patterns out there, good luck!
Patricia
Thank you soooo much for this pattern. I am planning to make this head wrap for my daughter’s Christmas present. Very grateful for your site and your willingness to share. Have a wonderful day! you made mine a happy one!
Ashlee
your so welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! It totally made my day!
Mary Lou Grear
I really like this pattern. But like some others, being a beginner knitter I am confused on rows 6 thru 10.
Can you help me find what I am doing wrong? This is what I have…
row 4 k, p, k, p, k, p, k, ..that makes 7 stitches on the needle.
row 5 p , k, p, k, pfb k, p 8 stitches on the needle
ros 6 k, p, k, p, K, K , p, k 8 stitches on the needle.
row 7 p, k, p, k, Pfb, p k, p 9 stitches on the needle
row 8 k, p, k, p, K, K, K, K p, k 10 stitches
row 9 p, k, p, k, Pfb, P, P, P, k, p 11 stitches
row 10 k, p, k, p, k, k, k, k, k, , p, k 11 stitches
I completely loose the pattern and end up with nice rib rows on the edges
but not in the center. I really look forward to doing this and hope you can get
me straightened out. Thanks,
Mary Lou Grear
Ashlee
row 4 k, p, k, p, k, p, k, ..that makes 7 stitches on the needle.
row 5 p, k, p, kfb, p k, p 8 stitches
ros 6 k, p, k, p, p, k, p, k 8 stitches
row 7 p, k, p, k, kfb, p, k, p 9 stitches
row 8 k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k 9 stitches
row 9 p, k, p, k, Pfb, k, p, k, p 10 stitches
row 10 k, p, k, p, k, k, p, k, p, k 10 stitches
row 11 p, k, p, k, P, Pfb, k, p, k, p 11 stitches
row 12 k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k 11 stitches
does that help?
Kelly
Thanks for posting this!!! I have been working on my own, but am running out of time for Christmas! This was a big help!
Ashlee
your welcome
Angela
I have been looking for a pattern like this for a while! I pinned it and will start on it tonight! Thanks so much for posting!!
Ashlee
your so welcome! I made a ton of these a few years ago, I should try another version this year!
Karen
Thanks so much for the pattern. I just finished my first one and love , love it.!! Wish I had seen this sooner they would make great Christmas gifts. thanks for sharing.
Ashlee
once you get the hang of it they whip up really fast! I’m glad you like it!
Tammie
Hello, did anyone ever find the crochet version for this? I’ve searched and still can’t find the correct one. Thanks
Ashlee
try a ravelry search of ear warmers in crochet https://www.ravelry.com/account/login#craft=crochet&query=ear%20warmer&view=captioned_thumbs&sort=best
Tammie
Thank you!
Ashlee
your welcome!
Jill
Hi Ashlee, I found this headwarmer at http://sweetsweezers.blogspot.com.br/2010/02/diy-crochet-head-wrap.html?m=1. The problem is that the person provides a crochet version that looks nothing like the knitted version (her examples on the page are even knitted and not crocheted.) I read your reviews and noticed you said several times you were working on the crocheted version of the headband. Were you able to make one? I have googled the band and have not come up with any similar in stitch (the v-shape you have in the middle) of this pattern. Well, let me know, a fellow crocheter and I have been looking at this trying to figure out how to convert and as you probably guessed… I KNOW NOTHIN’ ABOUT KNITTING! Tried it once, hid the knitting needles from myself.. no patience. Thanks~ Jill
Ashlee
sorry, I checked on ravelry and there were SOOOO many crochet headbands already I never bothered. Sorry. Try to find something you like there. but there is only one good way to get a knit look… knit!
Leslie
Thank you so much for sharing. Did a photo shoot yesterday and felt like I was freezing to death [okay, it was 45, but I live in Vegas and it felt like zero]. I’m back out tomorrow and needed to find something quick, cute and functional. I’m sure this will do the trick!
Ashlee
I’m so glad! It’s been in the NEGATIVE numbers up here in UT for the past 3 weeks. Mine have totally come in handy in this uber cold winter!
Joanne
Thanks so much for posting this pattern. Was looking all over for something like this. Can’t wait to make this.
Ashlee
you are so welcome! I’m glad you found it, and i hope you like it.
J. Averett-Hulsey
I love the looks of your kniited ear warmer, Topsy Turvy, and have looked and looked for a pattern. This is just what I have been looking for but the ads on the page block out some of the knit instructions on the right side of instructions. I dont seem to be able to eliminate the ads on the page so can you please give the full instructions for Row 5, Row 7; and on Row 1 (when you start to decrease) all of the instructions are not shown. Thanks so much!
Ashlee
I’m not sure whats going on, it looks just right to me on chrome, firefox and IE. Can you try it again and see if it’s still not working? I also have the print option. Are you on a PC or on a tablet? let me know your browser and what your viewing it on and I’ll try to get to the bottom of it.