Breezy Beach Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern

A quick and easy crochet ear warmer. This pattern is worked in the round using a merino double knit, which creates a soft light fabric. Perfect for keeping those ears warm by the sea.

AKA the 'gawd it's frikin' cold on my ears' headband!

No time for hat hair, #cba with a weird Ariana Grande pony tail hole in a hat! [What is with them]

Then this is for you.

I like to think of these as 'emergency late night #crochet' presents for friends, family and colleagues.

The Deets

Level: Intermediate

Size: Up to you, how perfect is that! Don't worry it's easy to work out.

Materials

Hook: 5mm

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Mustard (99) - 50g

Weight: Double Knit

Fibre: 100% wool

Yarn Length: 120m

Abbreviations used

YO (Yarn over)

CH (chain)

SL ST (slip stitch)

SC (single crochet)

HDC (half double crochet)

Note: This pattern is designed in US crochet terminology

Special stitches

Star stitch: This is worked over two rounds, the first round of the star stitches is worked along the front of the work, whilst the 2nd round of HDC to complete each star is worked in the back of the work. This is why it requires turned rounds.

Pattern

Chain enough to comfortably fit around your head with a little stretch. For an average adult female head chain 71 or 73. Don't underestimate how stretchy these are. If I want a snug fit I go for 69. 

This pattern is worked in turned rounds using the star stitch, which requires a foundation chain in multiples of 2 + 1. 

Start of first star row 

Round 3: Insert hook into 2nd chain from hook YO and pull up a loop, insert hook into 3rd chain from hook YO and pull up a loop, repeat until you have 6 loops on your hook. YO, draw through all loops on hook, CH1 (CH1 creates the eye of the star). *Insert hook into eye of the star, YO and pull up a loop in the eye of the last star. Insert your hook in between the last two stitches from the last star YO and pull up a loop, insert your hook into the HDC on your foundation row, where the last stitch of the previous star (You should now have 4 loops on your hook) Insert your hook into the next HDC along the row YO and pull up a loop, repeat on the next stitch (6 loops on hook), YO, draw through all loops on hook, CH1 (CH1 forms the eye of the star). Repeat from *until you have made 33 stars if you started with 71 or 34 if you started with 73. You get the gist! 

At this point it may look like you've space to make another star, however beware of this crochet trickery. This is where we join the round and turn. If you accidentally put another star in here you'll find your headband getting wider and bumpier at the join as you fill with extra stitches. 

Note: From now on we'll assume I started with 71 stitches. 

Joining the first star row

HDC in the last stitch worked and then slip stitch to first stitch on the other side. CH2 turn, HDC back into the stitch at the base of your last CH2. 

Creating the second row of the star stitch 

*Round 4: 2HDC in each eye of each star around. Again be careful not to go too far. 

Technically we now have 2 extra stitches on this row (made by the CH2 and HDC) however these will be reserved for our joins and we should never have more than the original number of stars, in this case 34.

Joining the HDC 'second half of the star' row 

After you have placed 2HDC in each 34 stars, HDC in the base of where the chains came out of and then SL ST to the top of the first HDC you made missing the two chain stitches. 

Technically we now only have 1 extra stitches on this row (as we jumped over the chain 2 and slip stitched into the first HDC) again this be reserved for our join and we should never have more than the original number of stars, in this case 34. 

Second star row

Round 5: CH 2, turn, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook YO and pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, which was the SL ST we created, YO and pull up a loop, then repeat again in the next 3 stitches (6 loops on hook). YO, draw through all loops on hook, CH1 (CH1 creates the eye of the star). *Insert hook into eye of the star, YO and pull up a loop in the eye of the last star. Insert your hook in between the last two stitches from the last star YO and pull up a loop, insert your hook into the HDC on your foundation row, where the last stitch of the previous star (You should now have 4 loops on your hook) Insert your hook into the next HDC along the row YO and pull up a loop, repeat on the next stitch (6 loops on hook), YO, draw through all loops on hook, CH1 (CH1 forms the eye of the star). 

Note: You should know after your first 3-4 stars if you have completed your join properly, as the stars made in this round should be positioned nicely above the ones from the subsequent round. 

Repeat from *until you have made 34 stars. 

Joining the second star row

HDC in the last stitch worked and then slip stitch to first stitch on the other side. CH2 turn, HDC back into the stitch at the base of your last CH2. 

Round 6: Repeat round 4

Repeat rounds 5 and 6 until your desired depth. I usually like around five rows of stars

Once you have completed and joined your final round of HDC. CH1 and turn. Place a SC in each stitch around, join to the top of the first SC with a SL ST. Leaving 6 inch tail to fasten off. 

Using the 6 inch tail you used to fasten off you can now cinch the join together and hold with a couple of stitches. Then add your button embellishment to the top. 

Happy Hooking! 

Chrissy

Note: If you think I might have made a mistake in the pattern I'd love to hear from you. Crochet is all about growth and sometimes we make mistakes. If you have any hints, tips or a suggested amend to the pattern please head to my contact page and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.