Off the Grid Ear Warmer: Free Crochet Pattern
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This new messy bun style ear warmer is the perfect accessory for chilly spring or fall days. Just enough to keep your ears warm and your hair from the wind, or when the ponytail is a mess and you just need to pop into the store for a quick ingredient for dinner. Let’s work up a gorgeous Off the Grid Ear Warmer today!
Off the Grid Ear Warmer
Originally this pattern was only intended to be a unisex slouchy hat – The Grid Slouch. During the testing phase my lovely tester Clarissa brought up the option of making this a version for messy buns or an ear warmer. While that slouchy hat pattern is fabulous, I absolutely LOVE this version too! So glad she made me think outside the box. ♥
Find the free Grid Slouch pattern here.
On our daily walks lately I have needed a bit of warmth to cover my ears. It’s also nice to have a bit of style, too! 😉
This pattern uses Snuggle Puff, a SUPER soft worsted weight yarn that feels like a cloud against your skin. Even better – this crochet ear warmer pattern uses less than ONE BALL of Snuggle Puff yarn! Note that the tweed version above is Wool of the Andes Tweed in “Flagstone Heather”. I do love this version, but with the wool it was a bit scratchy next to my face. This also uses less than one skein if you choose to use it.
Materials:
Snuggle Puff Yarn (“Hatchling” colorway)
-approx. 104 yards (less than one ball!)
Crochet hook in size H/5mm
Gauge:
17 Grid Stitches = 4” wide
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written using US terms.
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
BLO = Back Loop Only
Third Loop = The loop behind the top two loops when crocheting the Half Double Crochet Stitch
Band:
Start leaving a ~6” long tail…
Row 1: Ch-11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end. (10)
Rows 2 – 80: Ch-1, turn, sc in BLO of each st to end. (10)
Join band to form a circle without twisting.
Body:
Round 1: Ch-1, do not turn, hdc in each row end around. Join to first hdc. (80)
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Round 2: Ch-1, turn, sc in the third loop of each hdc around. Join. (80)
Round 3: Ch-3 (counts as dc here and for remainder), turn, dc in next st, ch-2, sk-2 chs, * dc in next 2 sts, ch-2, sk-2 sts * repeat between * * around. Join to top of ch-3. (80)
Round 4: Ch-1, turn, sc in same as turning, ch-2, * sk-2 chs, sc in next 2 sts, ch-2 * repeat between * * around, sc in last st. Join to first sc. (80)
Round 5: Ch-3, turn, dc in next st, ch-2, sk-2 chs, * dc in next 2 sts, ch-2, sk-2 chs * repeat between * * around. Join top of ch-3. (80)
Rounds 6 – 11: alternate rows 4 & 5 (80)
Round 12: Ch-1, do not turn, hdc in first st. * hdc around ch-sp, hdc in next 2 sts * repeat between * * around. Do not join. (60)
Round 13: Do not turn, sc in third loop of each hdc around. (60) Do not join, fasten off and weave in ends.
Now that the ear warmer is as tall as it needs to be it’s time to cinch up the front. Using a length of yarn, insert a tapestry needle from the inside as pictured below.
Bring the yarn up over the top and back through the inside (my “cinch” is ~1.5″ tall), over and over again until you are happy with the width of the “cinch”. Then weave in the ends and you’re almost done!
Finally, using your yarn needle, sew the ribbing band together using the 6″ tail from the beginning. Weave in that yarn tail and you’re ready to rock and roll!
I hope you love this Off the Grid Ear Warmer. I love how quick it is, and how stylish it is, and how little yarn it uses. Please share a photo of yours with me in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook or by tagging @HeartHookHome across all social media. 😁
More free patterns:
Easiest Twisted Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern
Fur Crochet Cowl & Ear Warmer Patterns
Lattice Love Beanie Crochet Pattern (Infant – Large Adult)
Thank you for this fantastic pattern! It was quick and easy and fits my big head perfectly! Going to make another color too!
I don’t understand how to “cinch” the ear warmer. Can you give a more detailed explanation? I’m starting to make one for my daughter
Thank!
Hi Ashlea,.
I used your Off the Grid Ear Warmer pattern with some changes. I did a foundation single crochet of eighty stitches then worked in the round instead of turning. I used white yarn for the band and turquoise yarn for the body. I did four rounds of the repeat (Rounds 4 & 5). How can I send you a picture of the one I made?
OK, I am looking at the ear warmers–how to you wear them? The ribbing ends up where? Sorry, I am usually OK with visualizing but this one got me!
How come there is no reply to the requests for a printer friendly version? I tried downloading it and it still doesn’t allow me to print it.
When you join the band do you join with a slip stitch and any other joining do you join with a slip stitch?
Hi Tina! I just use a single slip stitch to join the top of the band into a circle and go straight into working the body of the ear warmer. At the end, I will use my starting tail to sew up the remainder of the band…I like the mattress stitch.
For the life of me I cannot figure this pattern out, you wouldn’t happen to have a video tutorial?
Sad, right?! Not the usual.
I just finished making this, and it was so fun to make. This is my first time making something like this. I will say though, unless I missed it somewhere, I don’t see what size yarn I need to use. I used #4 Lion Brand Heartland yarn, and the 80 rows was like 20 rows too many. And the finished result was way too tall on my head that it just isn’t going to work. I’m thinking I should have lessened the rows up to the top too. But I’m guessing my yarn just wasn’t the right size. I did use an H hook like the pattern called for. Either way, I’ll be trying this one again and see if taking a few rows off the top helps at all. Thank you for the free pattern!
Note: This isn’t meant to be a critique. I’m more or so putting this here in case others have similar issues and need a bit of reassurance to alter it if they need to.
Hi Heidi,
I’m about to try this pattern. I clicked on the hyperlink for the Materials (Snuggle Puff Yarn). I was able to get information for the yarn used there. I hope this helps.
It’s not 80 rows, it’s 80 stitches. Only 16 rows.
The pattern says “rows 2-80” for the band
Cute pattern but I also shortened it to 60 rows as well….came out perfect!
Hi Ashlea,
I am making this beautiful pattern of yours “off the grid ear warmer”. I am confused about what I am actually supposed to do on Round 2? sc in the third loop of each hdc around?? Please help:)
Thx!
michelle
Hi Michelle! I have a tutorial for the hdc 3rd loop here: https://hearthookhome.com/third-loop-half-double-crochet-video-tutorial/
I always have trouble with the ch 1. Does it count as a sitc stitch? On some tires it seems I need it to have 10 stitches, but in other ties, not. Help!
No, the ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Beautiful pattern, I am almost done just not sure about the hdc around ch-sp, I have never seen this before.
I love the patterns. However trying to get a. Free pattern is not easy. I had to
Write it out.
It’s really easy way I love. Thank you dear
Is there a way to get a printer friendly pattern, even if there is a charge?
I would like to know if I can use the same pattern
And make the band smaller. 80 lows is too big for me head. Can I make 65 or 70 and still follow the pattern. Thank you for your assistance
Hi Pat! Yes, you can remove rows in multiples of 4.
Do you have a pattern for child’s size?
I would like to see a photo of this lovely item on a person’s head so I can see how it looks that way.
Is there a way to download the pattern without all the pictures?
Hi, I am in total agreement with the ladies, love your heart, and passion for this wonderful, beautiful craft. I don’t always want to spend the extra money on a specialty yarn so am curious if most of your projects can be worked up in any different yarns? Thank you!
Hi Paulette! You can absolutely substitute the yarn, as long as it is the same weight as the pattern calls for.
Cute pattern but what size is it for? Will it fit a 22 inch head?
Hi Wendy! Yes, this will fit most adult heads.
Same!
Sorry! that was supposed to be a reply to the commenter, Michelle Murphy. I would be nice to see what it looks like on. It looks like a great pattern but often, I need to see what it looks like on a person to determine if I am making it correctly. Thanks for your hard work and all the effort it took to make and photograph your work!
Could I see a close up picture of the step where we stitch in the 3rd loop of the hdc? I am having a difficult time understanding what that is.
Hi Lesa! I have a tutorial for crocheting in the 3rd loop which can be found here: https://hearthookhome.com/third-loop-half-double-crochet-video-tutorial/
I believe there is a word or two missing. I think she meant to skip 2 stitches and single crochet around in the rest of the double crochet stitches.
Hi Sandra! Where do you think I missed that wording? I looked through the pattern and don’t see anything, but I could be wrong.
I think in the beginning of the 3rd row “skip 2 ch” should be “skip 2 sts”
I can’t believe there are 80 rows to start. That seems so huge! I also noticed you didn’t see the ends together. Was that just by choice?
Sorry I saw you sewing it together but it doesn’t say that in the pattern after doing the brim.
Hi Melissa! Yes, 80 rows sounds like a lot…but the brim should end up at approximately 20″ around. The instructions to sew those ends together are at the end of the pattern…I just prefer to wait until the end to do it, but if you want to sew it sooner, you can. Hope this helps!
I would love to see a photo with someone wearing the ear warmer. Can’t picture in my head what it should look like on!
Muy bien explicado y lindo.