Learn how to crochet a chunky crochet ear warmer with this free pattern and video tutorial. This chunky half double crochet ear warmer pattern is available in 4 sizes so you can make a cozy ear warmer 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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A couple of weeks ago, I shared the 1st design from the 2024 Mystery Earwarmer Crochet a Long, the Haylee Earwarmer in worsted weight yarn and the Lightweight Haylee Earwarmer in a #3 weight yarn, but as I was planning out the crochet a long, I really wanted to offer 4 weights of yarn including Chunky #5 weight and Super Bulky #6 weight.
I ended up talking myself out of it knowing that I wouldn’t have enough time to get 4 different versions published each week so I didn’t order any to try when I did my big order last month for my Yarn Crafts and Coffee yarn shop, but just before the crochet a long went live, I did some overnight pet sitting and knew I’d have some spare time on my hands while there as I didn’t really want to be on my computer, so I decided to pull some chunky weight Hue + Me yarn and super bulky weight Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn out of my stash and take them with me to work on alongside the other yarns for the Haylee Earwarmer, and not only did I get these two worked up, but I also got the chunky weight and super bulky weight versions of the 2nd design, the Little Pebbles Earwarmer, finished too!
What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants. I won’t say working them up put me behind schedule since they were really quick makes, but extra hours and late nights at my day job for our busy season together with working up separate videos for each of the 4 weights plus cinched, mobius twist and twisted versions of the worsted weight ear warmer definitely has contributed to that. Oops!
This chunky crochet ear warmer is an easy, beginner friendly crochet ear warmer worked in simple half double crochet stitches, available in 4 sizes so you can make one for everybody in the family and worked in your favorite chunky weight yarn, which means it’ll work up nice and quick!
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).
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 These Chunky Crochet Ear Warmers:
Super Chunky Twisted Taryn Earwarmer, Free Tunisian Crochet Pattern in 4 Sizes
Winter Skies Earwarmer, Free Crochet Pattern in 3 Sizes
How do you crochet a textured crochet ear warmer in rows with super bulky yarn?
To begin a chunky crochet ear warmer in rows working in a half double crochet pattern, you’ll start with a chain that is of any number, since there is no set chain/stitch multiple for half double crochet. Just keep in mind that whatever number you chain to, you will finish with 1 less half double crochet stitch when you begin working so if you start with 10 chains, you’ll have 9 half double crochet stitches.
Next, half double crochet into the 3rd chain from the hook. The skipped chains will count as a half double crochet in the final stitch count. Continue to half double crochet into each chain all the way across the row.
For Row 2, chain 1, and turn, then half double crochet into the first stitch and each stitch across the row. When you make it to the end, after working into the last half double crochet, it will look like you’re finished with the row, but we want to make sure we don’t forget to work a stitch into the top chain of the beginning chain (from those skipped stitches). There will be one chain directly next to you and be the most natural stitch to work into, while another chain sits underneath it that we’ll leave unworked.
From here on out, it’s a very simple repeat working into half double crochet stitches for the rest of the project. Begin each row with a chain 1 and turn, then half double crochet into the first stitch and each stitch across the row.
Once you reach a length that is about 2″ to 2 1/2″ smaller than your head circumference, you’ll join the two ends together to create a tube. My preferred method for joining when working in half double crochet in with a technique called Pull Loop Through, or PLT, which is a join-as-you-go method, but there are lots of other great seaming methods, like whipstitch and mattress stitch to name a couple – use whichever is your favorite and feels best with this ear warmer.
Weave in your ends when you’re finished and it’s ready to wear out!
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. When working in half double crochet, there is no chain/stitch multiple, so if you wanted to make it thinner or thicker, you can remove or add any number of chains. 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. I really love to finish with a twisted join, and in that case, the join is not seen so it doesn’t matter if you finish on an even or odd numbered row. Completely up to you!
What is the best way to weave in chunky, wool crochet ends?
I find Hue + Me yarn to be easy enough to thread into my tapestry needle and smooth enough to glide through the fabric easily when weaving in ends, but another way you can join yarn and weave in ends when working with wool yarns is felting, and All About Ami has a great video showing how to do it and photo tutorial.
If you have other questions like: is it ear warmer or earwarmer — when should you wear an ear warmer — is an ear warmer and a headband the same thing — is it necessary to work up a gauge swatch before beginning a crocheted ear warmer — what is the best yarn to use to crochet an ear warmer — what size should a crocheted ear warmer be — then you’ll want to check out my post, Everything You Need to Know About How to Crochet an Ear Warmer.
Behind the Scenes:
I was getting irritated with the light shining through my blinds as I tried to grab some photos, but Scooter came over to me and made everything better <3 I really needed a break anyway – he is such a good supervisor!
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What Supplies Do I Need to Crochet a Chunky Ear Warmer?
- 40 (50, 55) Total Yards of Chunky #5 Weight Yarn – I used Lion Brand Hue + Me in the Juniper colorway
- L11/8mm Crochet Hook
- Tapestry Needle
- Soft Tape Measure – Gauge is Essential
Material Notes:
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 Hue + Me is. If you are allergic to wool, but looking for a different animal fiber, try alpaca. Acrylic yarns also work well for ear warmers, though sometimes the wind does go right through.
If you don’t have a chunky yarn in your stash, you can hold 2 – 3 strands together of a Lightweight #3 or Worsted Weight #4 Yarn, like Lion Brand Wool Ease or Lion Brand Jeans.
Yarn Alternatives:
- Cozy Wool Blends: Berroco Vintage Chunky (similar), Cascade Pacific Chunky (similar), Araucania Huasco Kettle Dyed Chunky Yarn (splurge)
- Cozy Non-Wool Alpaca Blends: Ella Rae Cozy Chunky Alpaca
- Acrylic Yarns: Lion Brand Impressions Yarn (Beware of knots though!)
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!
How Long Does it Take to Crochet a Chunky Ear Warmer?
I had the adult small size worked up in just about 45 minutes.
Measurements – Width by Length Before Seaming — to fit a head circumference of:
The width will be equal to the height of the band and the length is equal to about 2″ – 2 1/2″ smaller than the 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).
Take a soft tape measure and measure your head circumference, or the distance around your head, just above your eyebrows.
You can easily adjust the height of an ear warmer if you prefer a thinner or thicker band, but I’ll provide average heights. For Toddler, the height of a crocheted ear warmer should be about 3 3/8″ – 3 1/2″, and for Child and Adult sizes, it should be about 3 7/8″ – 4″.
- Toddler: 3 3/8″ Wide by 17 5/8″ Long — 19″
- Child & Adult Small: 3 7/8″ Wide by 19 5/8″ Long — 21 1/2″
- Adult Large: 3 7/8″ Wide by 21″ Long — 22 1/2″
Gauge – Measured in Pattern:
- 7 HDC = about 3 3/8″ Wide or
- 8 HDC = about 3 7/8″ Wide
- 8 Rows = 4 1/8″ Tall
What I recommend is to use the Measurements section to measure gauge. 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, 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.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- HDC – Half Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
- PLT – Pull Loop Through (a join-as-you-go method)
- How to PLT: After DC in current piece, pull up a loop and pull out crochet hook, re-insert hook from the front through the corresponding stitch on Motif B [your corresponding piece] and pull 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.
I did use a tapestry needle to weave in my ends, but another way you can join yarn and weave in ends when working with wool yarns is felting, and All About Ami has a great video showing how to do it and photo tutorial.
Chunky Half Double Crochet Ear Warmer Video Tutorial | Chunky Haylee Earwarmer Video Tutorial:
Chunky Half Double Crochet Ear Warmer Written Pattern | Chunky Haylee Earwarmer Written Pattern:
Chain 8 (9, 9). HDC into the 3rd chain, and each chain across. [7 (8, 8) HDC]
For Other Join Method:
R2 – 34 (38, 40): Chain 1, turn. HDC into the 1st HDC, and each HDC across. [7 (8, 8) HDC]
Respectively, your ear warmer should measure in length about: 17 5/8″, 19 5/8″ and 20 5/8″.
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 – 33 (37, 39): Chain 1, turn. HDC into the 1st HDC, and each HDC across. [7 (8, 8) HDC]
Respectively, your ear warmer should measure in length about: 17 1/8″, 19 1/8″ and 20 1/8″.
R34 (38, 40): 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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