How to Crochet a Textured Ear Warmer

After finishing up the XOXO Slouch Hat and the XOXO Cowl, I got my first follower request for a pattern! That’s when the XOXO Mitts came onto the scene. It got me thinking that there needed to be a few more pieces of this collection. And since I basically live with a messy bun, an ear warmer was definitely on my radar. So here we have the XOXO Ear Warmer!

**This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for items purchases from these links. This is a great way to support my small business AND get the items you need for your project!**

About the Pattern

This pattern is a spinoff of the ever-so popular XOXO Slouch Hat. This pattern uses crossed stitches and bobbles to mimic X’s and O’s. It’s worked completely in the round and cinched at the end to give it a cute, turban style. And like so many of my other patterns, it’s made in sizes Baby to Adult. I know that extra wide ear warmers are popular right now, so I included instructions on how to make the wide version as well.

To make this crochet ear warmer, I used I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby. This used to be my go-to yarn for quick makes because I live nearby. But lately I’ve been opting for Brava Worsted from WeCrochet. It’s nice, soft and a great value, plus it comes in lots of fun colors. Another favorite of worsted weight yarn of mine is Lion Brand Heartland. This pattern doesn’t use much, so it’s a great way to bust some scraps from your yarn stash.

And if you’re feeling the need to adjust this pattern beyond what I’ve written, just know its written in increments of 4 stitches. So if you adjust the row count, be sure to add or subtract by 4.

About the Collection

This will be the fourth installment of the XOXO Collection. My first make was the XOXO Slouch Hat. I really just wanted a textured crochet beanie, then had the idea to make the bobbles interchangeable with beads. I carried this concept across the whole collection. So if a crochet ear warmer doesn’t quite do it for you, be sure to check out the hat instead!

The slouch hat was followed shortly by the XOXO Cowl. This is one of my most popular patterns ever, as it should be, because it’s a pretty fabulous cowl. And if you have been following along this month, you know that I released the XOXO Mitts a few weeks ago. This crochet ear warmer pattern should round out the collection for now. But I love this stitch combo enough to keep brainstorming modification items for you all.

About the Stitches

As I mentioned before, this pattern collection uses stitches that mimic X’s and O’s. I’ll do a brief overview of some of the special stitches before we dive in.

Crossed Double Crochet

This stitch looks fancy, but is really just as simple as doing a basic double crochet. Here’s what you’ll do. First, Ch 3 (or 2, base on your personal preference) to start your row. The chains do not count as a stitch. Next you will skip a stitch and work a double crochet into the following stitch. Finally you’ll will work a double crochet into the stitch you skipped. Doing this will twist your double crochets, giving them a crossed effect. You’ll continue working like this as you go: skip a stitch, DC, Dc in skipped stitch.

Bobble Stitch

The bobble stitch can be worked in multiple sizes. Oftentimes you’ll see large bobbles worked into pieces. They’re really large and eye-catching design elements. For this pattern, I used a small bobble as I felt it was more proportional in size to the crossed dc. So to work a small bobble stitch, heres what you’ll do.

Yarn over, and insert hook into the next stitch. Pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (two loops left on hook).
Yarn over again, and insert hook into the same stitch. Pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (three loops left on hook).
Yarn over again, and insert hook into the same stitch. Pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (four loops left on hook).
Yarn over and pull through all four loops.
Ch 1 to close bobble stitch.

Camel Stitch

The last special stitch is the Camel stitch, also known as crochet in third loop. Basically you will be working your stitches along the back side of a hdc row. Instead of inserting your hook below the front and back loops of a stitch, you will be ignoring those and working your stitches in the bar right behind the back loop. My friend Sarah, over at The Plush Pineapple has a more detailed tutorial on this stitch if you’d like to check it out here.

Adding Beads

Like all the pieces of the XOXO Collection, this piece can be made with beads instead of bobble stitches. For a quick tutorial and video on adding beads, check out this post!

Love it?! Pin it for Later!

Materials Needed

60 – 120 yds Worsted weight (4) yarn
5.50mm (I) Crochet hook
1.5mm (size 8) Crochet hook (optional)
Beads (6mm, 8mm, 10mm) (optional)
Scissors
Tapestry needle

Stitches Used

Single Crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Bobble Stitch (bs)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Skip stitch (sk st)

Gauge:

14 stitches = 4”, 6 rows = 2”

Pattern for Gauge:

Ch 17, turn. SC 16 stitches across. Follow work Rounds 2-8 for Bobbles in rows.

Notes:

Chain spaces do not count as stitches in stitch count.
Rows 6 and 7 will be worked differently based whether you are adding bobble stitches or beads
Beads are a choking hazard for young children and not recommended for items made for children under the age of 4
Sizes in parentheses are (Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small, Adult)

Pattern

(Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small, Adult)

Using Size I (5.5mm) hook, loosely Ch (48,56,60,64,68). Join with sl st to first ch.

Round 1: Ch 1. Sc in same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as stitch). *Sk next stitch. Work 1 dc in following stitch. Work 1 dc in previous skipped stitch working over previous dc. (Crossed DC).* Repeat from * around. Sl st in top of Ch 3 to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 3: Ch 1. Hdc in first stitch and each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in third loop of first hdc in previous row (Camel Stitch). Working in third loops, sc in each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in first stitch and each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).

Depending whether you work Bobble Stitches or Beads, the instructions will vary slightly for Rounds 6 and 7. The instructions will be the same once you move on to Round 8.

For Bobbles

Round 6: Ch 1 and TURN. Working on wrong side (WS), 1 sc in the last stitch of previous row. Bobble stitch (BS) in next stitch. *Sc in next 3 stitches. BS in next stitch.* Repeat from * until 3 stitches remain. BS in next stitch. Sc in next 2 stitches. Sl st first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 7: Ch 1 and TURN. Resume working on right side (RS), Sc in first stitch and each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).

For Beads

Round 6: Ch 1. Sc in each of the first six stitches. *Add a bead. Sc in in each of the next 4 stitches.* Repeat from * until six stitches remain. Add a bead. Sc in each of the last six stitches. Sl st in first sc to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 7: Ch 1 and TURN. Working on wrong side (WS), sc in first stitch and in each stitch around. (48,56,60,64,68) (Note: Turn to right side (RS) before working Row 8)

Round 8: Ch 1. Hdc in first st and in each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 9: Ch 1. Sc in third loop of first hdc in previous row (Camel Stitch). Working in third loops, sc in each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 10: Ch 3. *Sk next stitch. Work 1 dc in following stitch. Work 1 dc in previous skipped stitch working over previous dc. (Crossed DC).* Repeat from * around. Sl st in top of Ch 3 to join. (48,56,60,64,68).
Round 11: Ch 1. Hdc in first stitch and each stitch around. Sl st in first stitch to join. (48,56,60,64,68). Move on to FINISHING.

For Extra Wide Version, repeat Rounds 4-11, then move on to FINISHING.

Finishing

To leave headband uncinched, skip Finishing and tie off and weave in ends.

Tie off leaving long tail, approx. 24-36”.
Using a tapestry needle, weave the tail in and out every 2-3 rows along the seam of your headband until you reach the bottom. Then repeat the weaving process from the bottom back to the top of your headband.
Gently pull the tail of your tight, cinching the center together along the seam.
Secure in place by running your tapestry needle back through the cinched section.
Using the long tail, wrap around the cinched portion, until you have completely covered the cinched section, being sure to leave an end long enough to weave in.
Tie off and weave in ends.

Final Thoughts

Well I hope you love this pattern. I know I’m always a fan of a good crochet ear warmer, so I’m really excited to add this to the XOXO Collection. As always, I would love to see your finished makes! Be sure to use the hashtag #xoxoearwarmer and tag me @craftingforweeks on Facebook or Instagram. Hopefully I’ll have one more pattern for you all before the end of the month.

Until then, happy crafting!

How to Crochet a Textured Ear Warmer

About the Pattern

About the Collection