This pattern is part of the Fall 2017 Malia CAL (Crochet-Along). To view the other patterns in this collection (including a beanie, slouch, cowl and infinity scarf), please visit the Malia CAL Homepage.
When you want to wear your hair up, but you still want to keep your ears warm, it’s time to grab an earwarmer! This quick pattern is one of the simplest of the Malia collection and you’ll be able to crochet it up in no time.
If you need a little help with the stitches, check out the tutorial video I made for the cowl and scarf; just use the numbers in this pattern instead of the ones called for on the video! Or, scroll down to find the written pattern.
Free Printable Tags
I made some cute printable tags for this pattern that you are welcome to use! If you’re selling or gifting this earwarmer, a tag or wrap just ups the professionalism, in my opinion. I included a wraparound label (shown in the photo) as well as a smaller tag that can be attached to a piece of decorative string wrapped around your finished product, by punching a hole through the corner and threading the string through before tying a bow to secure. Print on cardstock for best results!
Prefer a PDF?
This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
MALIA EARWARMER
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Size: 20″ long (before seaming) x 3″ tall
Hook: I (5.50 mm) or whichever hook is needed to obtain correct gauge
Yarn: 80 yards of #4 aran weight. Yarn used in sample photos is Yarn Bee’s Rustic Romantic in “Red Roads.”
Gauge: To ensure the best results, the gauge check is a swatch taken straight from the pattern. Upon completion, you should have a 4” square. If yours is larger, consider using a smaller hook or a thinner #4 yarn. If yours is smaller, consider using a larger hook.
Pattern for Gauge:
CH17.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (16)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8. (16)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, 3 buttons (1″ – 1-1/8″)
Terms and Abbreviations:
FHDC (foundation half double crochet – see “Special Stitches”)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
LBS (large bean stitch – see “Special Stitches”)
BLO (back loop only)
3rd LOOP (work stitch into 3rd loop only – see “Special Stitches”)
Special Stitches:
Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC)
This is the recommended way of beginning the pattern and is better shown than explained, so please watch the included tutorial video as a guide. There is also an optional classic chain start noted in the pattern, if you would like to do that instead.
Large Bean Stitch (LBS)
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops – one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch – each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round’s final stitch count.)
3rd Loop Only
Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1s at the beginning of rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.
(3) A video tutorial for the stitch pattern is available up in the post, or by clicking here.
(4) To make earwarmer larger or smaller, add or subtract an even number of stitches from the starting row or chain. For reference, if you met gauge, 4 stitches = 1″.
INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: FHDC* 78. (*Alternate start: CH79, HDC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH) (78)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 76 STS. SC in final ST. (78)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (78)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 38 times. SC in final ST. (78)
Row 5: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (78)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 76 STS. SC in final ST. (78)
Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (78)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 38 times. SC in final ST. (78)
Row 9: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (78)
Row 10: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 76 STS. SC in final ST. (78)
Edging: CH1, SC in same ST to round corner. Working down the short edge of the earwarmer, SC in each row (10). Ch1 to round corner. SC in each ST across long edge of earwarmer. CH1 to round corner. SC in each row of next short edge. CH1 to round corner. SC in each ST across remaining long edge. Ch1. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the edging. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Buttons: Overlap one short edge over the other by about 1″. Pin in place if needed. Attach buttons at top, bottom, and center, sewing through both layers to hold earwarmer together.
Done! If you’re sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliacaland #maliaearwarmer and tag me @littlemonkeyscrochet. Hope you enjoyed it!
Hi there. I was wondering how you feel about items being sold made from your patterns, credit being linked back to you for the pattern of course. Could not find a policy on this on the website. Thanks in advance :).
You’re very welcome to. A link back to my blog is appreciated for online listings, but not required. 🙂
I am having such a problem meeting gauge. It seems that no matter which aran yarn I use I’m getting at least a 5-5.5″ square. Yarn Bee yarn is not sold in any of the yarn stores near me, but I’ve tried Vanna’s Choice solids, Caron, Caron simply soft, Red Heart, and Red Heart with love. The only time I came close to meeting gauge was going down 3 hook sizes, but the fabric was too dense. I’m an experienced crocheter, although I am new to the bean stitch, but cannot figure out why my gauge is off. Any ideas?
This has been the great mystery of this crochet-along, as quite a handful of people are running into the same problem. (I actually thought I’d lost my own mind for a while there, but even 2 months later, I still sit down to make this pattern and come up with my original gauge.) All that said — if you were working on one of the hats, I would recommend choosing a thinner yarn. But since you’re doing the ear warmer, you can simply work the first row or chain until it is as long as you want it to be – just make sure that if you start with an FHDC, you do an even number, and if you start with a chain, you chain an odd number. The pattern will work fine 🙂
I feel a little better knowing I’m not alone! I was making myself crazy trying to meet the gauge. Thanks for the input for making the ear warmer. I adore the stitch pattern for these projects and absolutely want to make the set both for myself and as gifts. I’ll work on everything but the hats for now. Thanks again!
Making your printable wrap tags available is an unbelievably wonderful and savvy idea!!
Hi – just wondering if the buttons are purely decorative or if they are supposed to button. Love this pattern so far! Thank you!
Decorative 🙂
Thank you so very much! Love the pattern. Happy thanksgiving!
This pattern is terrific! I’ve made 5 so far and this pattern is really pretty and works up well! It’s a great gift for granddaughters, friends, etc. I’m so glad I purchased the all access pass too as it makes it super easy to print out the patterns I want to make.
Thank you so much for sharing these patterns – they are really wonderful! Thanks too for suggesting the gauge square as mine was too big and I went down one needle size and it is perfect!
Love the buttons on this one and the width of the band
I would love to make the free ear warmer pattern for my grand daughter for Christmas. How do I get the pattern to print it.
Hi Linda, the pattern is written out in full in this blog post. If you would like an ad-free pdf version, you can purchase it from my PDF store at http://members.littlemonkeyscrochet.com/product/malia-beanie/.
Wrong pattern, sorry. http://members.littlemonkeyscrochet.com/product/malia-earwarmer/
I would love to make the free ear warmer pattern for my grand daughter for Christmas.
I am making infinity scarves for Christmas presents and thought it’d be nice to give them a matching ear warmer or messy bun hat, or something. For the scarves, I’m using a bulky yarn. If I want to make your ear warmer, what changes do I need to make in the pattern? I’m not a total newbie, but I’m a pattern follower =) so I’m not comfortable figuring out how to adapt your pattern to my yarn.
If you have other ear warmer patterns using a bulky yarn, you can just refer me to those. =)
Thanks!
Carla
Hi Carla! For this pattern, it’s pretty simple. Just choose a hook size that you think works best for your yarn. Then in the instructions, where it says “FHDC 78″, you just FHDC until it measures about 18” long (it will stretch). Be sure you FHDC an even number (or if you’re using the alternate start and chaining, make sure it’s an odd number of chains), and you’ll be good. Then simply follow the pattern, knowing that the new row total will be however many FHDCs you did. With bulky yarn, you can decide how many rows you do before it gets wide enough for your taste. Hope that helps 🙂
Awesome! Thank you so much! I look forward to trying this!
I love your patterns that you design, do you have a headband or ear warmer pattern that is braided. My grand daughter would like me to make her one.
Thank you
I do not 🙂
The tutorial of the earwarmer, please! I am from SOuth Africa
It is above 🙂
I didn’t get the new Malia Earwarmer and Messy Bun directions in my Email today
Please email me directly at littlemonkeyscrochet@gmail.com 🙂