This is a free crochet pattern and video tutorial showing how to crochet the Haylee Earwarmer, which is an easy, beginner crochet ear warmer worked in simple half double crochet stitches and available in 4 sizes so you can make one for everybody in the family!
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Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.
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It’s time for the first ear warmer from the Mystery Earwarmer Crochet a Long, the Haylee Earwarmer, which is an easy, beginner crochet ear warmer worked in simple half double crochet stitches and available in 4 sizes so you can make one for everybody in the family!
You can work an ear warmer in different ways, but I wanted these to be beginner friendly patterns so I’ve chosen a rectangle design. What I love about this design is that after just 4 – 6 rows, you can measure the width and will know right off the bat if it will be the height you want for your ear warmer. Then, you work up the entire length and can just measure with a soft tape measure to make sure the length is correct to fit your head circumference. It takes the guess work out, and doesn’t require any additional work for checking gauge (I know many of us don’t like to do that anyway).
There are still many ways you can finish your ear warmer worked in a rectangle, and over the next several days, I’ll share some variations for the Haylee Earwarmer including a Mobius Twist (pink), Twisted (tan), and Cinched (blue and gray).
I ordered one new yarn to test out, the Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Yarn (blue Cinched one), and the rest came from my stash. Feel free to use your favorite worsted weight yarn!
I am running a Washcloth Crochet a Long at the same time as this Earwarmer Crochet a Long, and the stitches are the same on both sides. If you are interested, make sure to check out my Haylee Washcloths.
Matching Pieces You’ll Love to Pair with Your Haylee Earwarmer
Haylee is an easy crochet line that features simple half double crochet stitches. This is a beginner friendly series, and this ear warmer is a great project to pair with watching your favorite TV show or movie. Use a soft tape measure to measure as you go, and stop at the length desired.
Find more Haylee accessory and home decor crochet patterns on EyeLoveKnots, and Haylee accessory and wearables crochet patterns here on Cre8tion Crochet.
You May Also Like:
Lightweight Haylee Earwarmer, #3 Weight Yarn Version
Super Chunky Twisted Taryn Earwarmer, Free Tunisian Crochet Pattern in 4 Sizes
Winter Skies Earwarmer, Free Crochet Pattern in 3 Sizes
Twisted Through the Window Earwarmer, Free Crochet Pattern in 4 Sizes
The Gatsy Ear Warmer, Free Crochet Pattern
Is it ear warmer or earwarmer?
In search, you will find many patterns listed as both two words, ear warmer, and one word, earwarmer. I personally like to use earwarmer (one word), but I see more patterns and articles using ear warmer (two words) plus my spell check marks it in one word as an error.
When should you wear an ear warmer?
Because I love having my hair up in a bun, my go-to cold weather accessory is an ear warmer since they are open on the top. I also live in Florida where it’s still warmer than other places in the Winter, and sometimes, an ear warmer over the ears is really all that’s needed, or pairs perfectly with a hoodie.
When I am in colder weather or windy weather, I wear an ear warmer, a messy bun beanie (which is open at the top) and then my hoodie (and usually my Ribbed Granny Stitch Cowl). I find that a beanie alone doesn’t keep my ears cozy enough.
Is an ear warmer and a headband the same thing?
An ear warmer and a headband both describe a tubular accessory that fits over your head and sits at about forehead level, but they are different even though they both could be used to keep your ears warm.
An ear warmer comes down around your forehead, is made of a thicker fabric and used to protect your ears from cold weather and winds.
A headband can be used around your forehead or worn on top of your head in your hair and while it could be used to keep your ears warm, it’s usually worn decoratively or to keep your hair out of your eyes and face. Headbands come in many different thicknesses from a very thin elastic band to a thick fabric or elastic band (and materials too including a crown-like band).
What is the best yarn to use to crochet an ear warmer?
There are many yarns that would be perfect for ear warmers! The first question I would start with is will it be for warm weather or cold weather? A cotton blend yarn like Berroco Modern Cotton would be perfect for late Spring into early Fall, and a wool blend yarn like my chosen Lion Brand Wool Ease would be perfect for chilly morning runs or nights out and Winter time.
I tested out many different yarns for my cozy half double crochet ear warmers all following the same basic pattern – Lion Brand Wool Ease (green one from this simple join and the pink Mobius Twist one), Berroco Vintage (tan Twisted one), Lion Brand Jeans (gray Cinched one) and Araucania Huasco Aran Kettle Dyed Yarn (blue Cinched one).
Acrylic yarns, like Lion Brand Jeans, work well for ear warmers when it’s just cool out and not too windy. To help protect against the wind, I would recommend an animal fiber. The more animal fiber within the yarn, the better it will protect against the wind and the warmer it will be. My favorite yarns for ear warmers are wool blends, which is what Lion Brand Wool Ease, Berroco Vintage and Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Yarn are. If you are allergic to wool, but looking for a different animal fiber, try Alpaca.
Yarn Alternatives:
- Cotton Blend for Warm Weather: Berroco Modern Cotton
- Cozy Wool Blends: WeCrochet Swish
- Cozy Non-Wool Alpaca Blends: Mirasol Misma, Ella Rae Cozy Alpaca
- Acrylic Yarns: Lion Brand Heartland, WeCrochet Brava
Feel free to use your favorite worsted weight yarn out of your stash!
How do you measure your head for an ear warmer?
Take a soft tape measure and measure your head circumference, or the distance around your head, just above your eyebrows.
What size should a crocheted ear warmer be?
You can easily adjust the height of an ear warmer if you prefer a thinner or thicker band, but average heights are:
For Toddler, the height of a crocheted ear warmer should be about 3 3/8″ – 3 1/2″.
For Child, Adult Small and Adult Large, it should be about 3 7/8″ – 4″.
Overall, you want your finished crocheted ear warmer to be about 2″ – 2 1/2″ smaller than your head circumference. This can vary depending on your yarn choice and the fit you like best (ie comfortable but loose fit or for it to fit like a hug).
For Toddler, the finished size of a crocheted ear warmer should be 17″ – 17 3/8″, Child & Adult Small should be 19″ – 19 3/8″, and Adult Large should be 20 1/2″ – 20 3/4″.
How do you adjust the height of an ear warmer worked in rows? How do you make an ear warmer skinnier or wider?
This ear warmer is worked widthwise, which is equal to the height of the finished ear warmer. After about 4 rows, you can measure the width to see how tall the finished ear warmer will be. There isn’t a stitch multiple for this project so if you wanted to make it skinnier, you can remove any number of chains, or to make it wider add chains. Since we’re working in half double crochet stitches, take the total number of chains and subtract one – that will be how many stitches you’ll have for each row.
How do you adjust the length of an ear warmer worked in rows?
To adjust the length, simply add or subtract rows making sure to finish so the rows will continue in pattern when seamed using your preferred method. If you are using the Pull Loop Through join method, you’ll want to finish on an odd row so the last row will be an even row and complete the stitch pattern. If you are using a whipstitch or mattress stitch to join your crocheted ear warmer sides, you’ll want to finish on an even row.
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What Supplies Do I Need to Crochet a Half Double Crochet Ear Warmer?
- 60 (80, 90) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Lion Brand Wool Ease in Forest Green Heather
- H8/5mm Crochet Hook
- Tapestry Needle
- Soft Tape Measure – Gauge is Essential
Material Notes:
I tested out many different yarns for my half double crochet ear warmers all following the same basic pattern – Lion Brand Wool Ease (green one from this simple join is the Forest Green Heather colorway and the pink Mobius Twist one is the Rose Heather colorway), Berroco Vintage (tan Twisted one is the Mushroom colorway), Lion Brand Jeans (gray Cinched one is the Vintage colorway) and Araucania Huasco Aran Kettle Dyed Yarn (blue Cinched one is the Turquoise colorway).
Acrylic yarns, like Lion Brand Jeans, work well for ear warmers when it’s just cool out and not too windy. To help protect against the wind, I would recommend an animal fiber. The more animal fiber within the yarn, the better it will protect against the wind and the warmer it will be. My favorite yarns for ear warmers are wool blends, which is what Lion Brand Wool Ease, Berroco Vintage and Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Yarn are.
Yarn Alternatives:
- Cotton Blend for Warm Weather: Berroco Modern Cotton
- Cozy Wool Blends: WeCrochet Swish
- Cozy Non-Wool Alpaca Blends: Mirasol Misma, Ella Rae Cozy Alpaca
- Acrylic Yarns: Lion Brand Heartland, WeCrochet Brava
I love my ergonomic clay hooks from SiennasBowtique and BronzeShepherdStudio! They both have so many fun designs – I have several from each shop because they’re so darn cute and nice to hold onto! We also have lots of beautiful, handcrafted crochet hooks in our Yarn Crafts and Coffee Yarn Shop as well!
Time Spent:
I had the Adult Small size finished in just about an hour.
Measurements – Width before Seaming:
The width will be equal to the height of the band.
- Toddler: 3 3/8″ – 3 1/2″ Wide
- Child & Adult Small: 3 7/8″ – 4″ Wide
- Adult Large: 3 7/8″ – 4″ Wide
Working with Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Yarn and Berroco Vintage, my width came to 3 3/8″ for the Toddler size and 3 7/8″ for the others. In Lion Brand Wool Ease and Lion Brand Jeans, my width came to about 3 1/2″ and 4″ respectively. Anything in this range will work great, but of course, you could always adjust it to be a thinner or thicker band.
Measurements – Length before Seaming:
The length is equal to about 2″ – 2 1/2″ smaller than the head circumference.
- Toddler: 17″ – 17 3/8″ Long
- Child & Adult Small: 19″ – 19 3/8″ Long
- Adult Large: 20 1/2″ – 20 3/4″ Long
Overall, you want your finished rectangle to be about 2″ – 2 1/2″ smaller than your head circumference. This can vary depending on your yarn choice and the fit you like best (ie comfortable but loose fit or for it to fit like a hug).
If you are working the PLT join, your rectangle should be measuring approximately 3/8″ smaller as this is about how much the last row will add.
Gauge – Measured in Pattern:
- 13 HDC = about 3 3/8″ – 3 1/2″ Wide or
- 15 HDC = about 3 7/8″ – 4″ Wide
- 1 Row = Approximately 3/8″
Working with Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Yarn and Berroco Vintage, my width came to 3 3/8″ for the Toddler size and 3 7/8″ for the others. In Lion Brand Wool Ease and Lion Brand Jeans, my width came to about 3 1/2″ and 4″ respectively.
Gauge itself is not terribly essential, but at least measuring your piece is.
I recommend working up about 4 – 6 rows, then measuring the width to see where you are – this will be the finished height of your ear warmer, and anything in my range is great, but you can always adjust this if you would like a thinner or thicker band.
Heightwise, the most important thing is to measure the finished rectangle to ensure it is the correct size so it will fit well. I found that regardless of my yarn choice, 1 row was about 3/8″ tall.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- HDC – Half Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
- PLT – Pull Loop Through (a join-as-you-go method)
- How to PLT: After HDC in current piece, pull up a loop and remove crochet hook, insert hook from the front/outside through the corresponding stitch of the beginning row [your corresponding piece], place loop back onto your crochet hook and bring it down to normal tension then pull the loop through
Pattern Notes:
Adjust width by any number – there is no stitch multiple.
Beginning chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
To adjust the length, simply add or subtract rows making sure to finish so the rows will continue in pattern when seamed using your preferred method.
I love to use the Pull Loop Through join as I don’t enjoy hand sewing much, but feel free to seam up the ends using your preferred joining method, such as whipstitch or mattress stitch or even slip stitch – so many great methods! You’ll see this split in the instructions as For PLT Join and For Other Join.
Yarn Overview:
Here is what I found following this pattern. Initial measurements are before washing. I seamed up the ear warmer, then washed in cold water and machine dried on extra low setting for 30 minutes.
– Lion Brand Jeans: 19 7/8″. Loose comfortable fit before and after. For more of a hug, subtract 2 rows.
– Lion Brand Wool Ease: 19 3/8″. Cozy like a hug before and after. For more of a looser fit, add 2 rows.
– Berroco Vintage: 20 3/8″. Too stretchy and loose before washing but after a great right in the middle fit! Shrunk about 1/2″. For more of a hug, subtract 2 rows.
– Araucania Huasco Aran Kettle Dyed: 18 5/8″. Cozy like a hug before and after. For more of a looser fit, add 2 rows. Blooms beautifully to fill gaps in fabric.
Half Double Crochet Ear Warmer Video Tutorial | Haylee Earwarmer Video Tutorial:
Half Double Crochet Ear Warmer Written Pattern | Haylee Earwarmer Written Pattern:
Chain 14 (16, 16). HDC into the 3rd chain, and each chain across. [13 (16, 16) HDC]
For Other Join Method:
R2 – 52 (58, 62): Chain 1, turn. HDC into the 1st HDC, and each HDC across. [13 (16, 16) HDC]
Respectively, your ear warmer should measure in length about: 17 3/8″, 19 3/8″ and 20 3/4″.
Any side can be the right side (aka front) or wrong side (aka back).
Fold rectangle in half with the right sides facing each other, and seam the two ends up.
My favorite join method is the pull loop through join so I can crochet the last row and join to the first row at the same time and avoid hand sewing, but some other joining methods include whipstitch, mattress stitch and slip stitch, just to name a few – feel free to use your favorite!
Weave in ends.
For PLT Join:
R2 – 51 (57, 61): Chain 1, turn. HDC into the 1st HDC, and each HDC across. [13 (16, 16) HDC]
Respectively, your ear warmer should measure in length about: 17″, 19″ and 20 3/8″.
R52 (58, 60): Chain 1, turn. Keeping this side facing up, fold the rectangle under onto itself evenly. HDC into the 1st HDC as normal, PLT into the corresponding stitch of the beginning row. Continue to work down the row working a HDC into the next stitch, and then PLT into the corresponding stitch of the beginning row.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Pull Loop Through Join Photo Tutorial:
Step 1: HDC into the 1st stitch as normal.
Step 2: Pull up a loop (so you don’t lose the stitch). I usually hold this stitch in between my left hand thumb and index finger as I go through the process.
Step 3: Remove your crochet hook.
Step 4: Insert your crochet hook into the corresponding stitch from the layer you’re joining to working from the outside in.
Step 5: Put the loop from the HDC back onto your crochet hook.
Step 6: Pull the loop down to normal tension.
Step 7: Pull the loop through the corresponding stitch.
Step 8: 1st stitch is complete.
Continue the process down the row for each stitch, then fasten off and weave in ends.
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