Brr! Do you feel that frigid air seeping through the school walls? A twinge of pain on your nose as you wait for the bus? What about the skin on your hands being dryer than usual? Well, it’s November folks! And here in Wisconsin, that means cold. It’s becoming the season to dig for last year’s mittens and mom’s old hats – but who wants to wear a hat when it would mess up your hair? Well, I present an alternative: the humble earmuff. It’s sweet, functional, and definitely stylish. And if you’re an avid DIY-er or crafter, why not make them yourself?
Hello, my name is Marian, and I would like to introduce you to a new series – Monthly Crochet Patterns! Just as the title says, each month I design and create a new crochet pattern for potential crafters to try themselves. I hope to offer patterns that are interesting for experienced crocheters while remaining beginner friendly. They are often based on things I would either like for myself, or things I think others would enjoy. For this November issue, the pattern is a little bit of both. Since my ears often hurt when they get cold, and winter is fast approaching, earmuffs seemed perfect for my first pattern. However, while regular earmuffs are not that difficult to crochet, they often require other components like a built in headband, and require a decent amount of sewing. This process can be tedious and requires extra time – instead, why not make a version that only requires one piece? That’s how this pattern was created. These earmuffs don’t really have “muffs”, so instead I have dubbed them “ear-warmers”!
Before we begin, I would like to say that while this pattern is meant to be beginner-friendly, it may be challenging if this is your very first time crocheting. I would recommend trying out crochet with at least one other pattern before this, whether it’s following a video or reading a list of steps, just so the terms make sense to you. If this is your first time following a paper pattern, my advice is: go slow! Regardless, this project was very fun to make and I hope everyone enjoys it, even if you just take a peek!
Materials:
- 6mm crochet hook
- Lightweight yarn
- Stitch markers* (optional)
- Darning/tapestry needle (optional)
*Stitch markers are paperclip-like hooks used to keep track of rows and stitches. In this context, they would only serve as a reminder that you have completed a row. If you choose not to use a stitch marker, simply keep track of the rows in your head or on paper.
Abbreviation Key:
- r = row/round
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase stitch
- dcs = decrease stitch
Other Stitches:
- Slipknot
- Slip stitch
Order of Steps:
- Create first tie
- Gradually increase width of first tie to create headband
- Stitch length of headband
- Gradually decrease width of headband
- Create second tie
Step 1: Creating the first tie
-slipknot
-ch 3
-sc into first 2 chains
-ch1
-flip
-sc into last 2 stitches
-repeat last 3 steps until desired length** is reached (around 2 ft).
** I did 81 rows of stitches for each of my ties.
Step 2: Starting the headband
-r1: once you have reached your desired length, chain one and inc in the last stitch you just made (the 1st stitch of the row), then ch 1. Make sure to turn after every row.
-r2: inc in 1st st, sc, inc in 3rd st. ch 1
-r3: sc whole row. ch 1
-r4: inc in 1st st., sc next 2, inc in last st. ch 1
-r5: sc whole row. ch 1
-r6: sc whole row. ch 1
-r7: inc in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then inc in the last st. ch 1
-r8: sc whole row. ch 1
-r9: sc whole row. ch 1
-r10: inc in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then inc in the last st. ch 1
-r11: sc whole row. ch 1
-r12: inc in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then inc in the last st. ch 1
-r13: sc whole row. ch 1
-r14: sc whole row. ch 1
-r15: sc whole row. ch 1
-r16: inc in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then inc in the last st. ch 1
Step 3: Creating the length of the headband
From row 17 to 81 (the next 64 rows), you are simply single crocheting and turning until the length of the headband is reached.
Every row is as follows: sc whole row, ch 1, turn.
Step 4: Decreasing the width of the headband
Once you have finished crocheting the headband, you will now repeat step 2, but in reverse.
-r82: dcs in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then dcs in the last st. ch 1
-r83: sc whole row. ch 1
-r84: sc whole row. ch 1
-r85: sc whole row. ch 1
-r86: dcs in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then dcs in the last st. ch 1
-r87: sc whole row. ch 1
-r88: dcs in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then dcs in the last st. ch 1
-r89: sc whole row. ch 1
-r90: sc whole row. ch 1
-r91: dcs in 1st, sc rest of row until last st., then dcs in the last st. ch 1
-r92: sc whole row. ch 1
-r93: sc whole row. ch 1
-r94: dcs in 1st st., sc next 2, dcs in last st. ch 1
-r95: sc whole row. ch 1
-r96: dcs in 1st st, sc, dcs in 3rd st. ch 1
Step 5: Creating the second tie
This step is the same as Step 1, but instead of the first two steps (slipknot, and ch3), simply crochet an extra row at the end! Make sure to crochet the same amount of rows/length as when you made the first tie.
Every row is as follows: sc whole row, ch 1, turn.
Once finished, slip stitch into the stitch you just did, cut the yarn, and pull through the slip stitch. Pull it tight, and then weave the end through either with your hook or with a darning needle.
Congratulations! You are now ready for the coming winter. Enjoy your brand new earwarmers!
