Hello There!
Quite a few years ago while selling at my favorite Indie Craft Fair, Mod Shop, I was asked by so many customers if I made ear warmers, there was even one customer that came back by to show me one she found from another vendor so that I knew what they were, she said I should start making them because they are becoming so popular. And she sure was right, ear warmers are still super popular these days and it turns out they are a breeze to make.
I started making just a single design using my favorite stitch, the seed stitch, (I can’t help it, I love this stitch!) It is such a simple and easy stitch that results in a beautiful texture with the yarn.
I started making these using Loops & Threads Urban yarn, which was one of my favorite yarns, and as things tend to go, it is now discontinued…it seems like most of my favorite yarns that I find at Michaels ends up being discontinued yarn…not sure what it is about my taste in yarn but apparently I like yarns that will soon be discontinued 🙁
Well, enough about why I made up this pattern…lets get knitting!
Materials For Completion: There is a link at the end of the post for a PDF download of the pattern.
US 10, 6.0 mm knitting needles.
Medium weight yarn less than 1 skein. (Size 4)
Yarn used in tutorial images is Loops & Threads Rings Spun (which I think is also a discontinued yarn, and I promise I don’t only buy from the discount rack)
Gauge:
Terms: bo = bind off, co = cast on, k = knit, p = purl, sl1 = slip one stitch, st = stitch
Directions:
Cast On 19 sts.
Pattern:
Row 1: sl1, *k1, p1, repeat from * until last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat Row 1 until your work measures approximately 17 inches before you bind it off.
Bind Off. I like to continue the pattern while I bind off, so I follow the pattern from Row 1 while I bind off. Cut yarn leaving a long tail (at least 7 or more inches, this will be used to sew the two ends together.)
Set the work aside and start the middle section of the ear warmer.
Cast On 9 sts.
Repeat Row 1 until work measures 3 – 3.5 inches before binding off. I like to have a wider middle section, but if you want a tighter more bunched up look, knit your middle piece to 3 inches.
Bind Off leaving at least 6 inches of yarn for weaving in.
Once you have both pieces knit take the larger piece and fold it in half, so that both ends meet. Sew the two ends together using a darning or tapestry needle. For this pattern it doesn’t matter too much what the seam looks like, as you will be covering it up with the smaller piece that was knit.
Lay the piece out flat, as shown in the 3rd image above, keeping the seem in the middle. Fold the bottom up to the top, then fold the top down to the bottom of the fold. Pinch all layers with your fingers, see images below.
Using a darning needle, pull one piece of the thread down to the bottom, and pull slightly to keep it closed. Do not tie off yet, These yarn ends will be used to tie on the middle piece.
If you do not want to do the middle piece you can make a pinched ear warmer by weaving in the ends here and tying off as an alternative look to the ear warmer. You will just need to sew up a bit to really cinch the middle section closed.
Add the middle piece by laying it over the top of the pinched portion of the ear warmer and turn work inside out, sew the two ends of the middle piece together. I like to end with a yarn tail on each end of the seam.
Taking one yarn tail from the large piece and one yarn tail from the band, tie in a double knot. Do this for both sides, cut extra yarn off and the ear warmer is finished!
One of the nice things about this ear warmer is you can wear it 2 different ways, you can wear it like a bow, or rotate the bow portion to the back of your neck for a different look.
If you remember a bit ago I mentioned that you could leave off the middle piece and finish it as a pinched ear warmer.
Now that you have a finished ear warmer, snap a few photos of it and share it with the world, and if you are feeling like sharing with me be sure to tag photos on Instagram with @savlabot 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this pattern!
Download on Ravelry using the link below.
Ravelry Free Knit Ear Warmer Pattern
Free PDF Knit Ear Warmer Pattern
17″ long is usually good lenght? I don’t want it to be slipping down or to tight.
I do most of my earl warmers/headbands at this length, though depending on the yarn used it may be a little different. With this yarn or one similar 17″ will be just fine.