Crochet the Perfect Ear Warmer for Fall: Easy and free beginner crochet pattern
As the weather cools down, there’s no better time to crochet a stylish and cozy accessory for your fall wardrobe.
Introducing The Houndstooth Earwarmer—an easy and free crochet pattern that’s perfect for beginner crocheters!
With just two colors of #4 weight (aran) yarn and a 5mm hook, you can create a timeless and fashionable earwarmer that not only keeps you warm but also adds a touch of elegance to any outfit.
This crochet earwarmer pattern is simple to follow, making it a great project for those familiar with basic single and double crochet stitches.
Get ready to dive into this fun and quick project, and enjoy a practical yet chic addition to your collection of handmade accessories.
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Inspiration behind the design
Creating a collection of crochet patterns using the houndstooth stitch has been on my to-do list for a while, and I’m excited to finally introduce The Houndstooth Earwarmer. This classic stitch has always caught my eye—it’s simple yet so visually striking. When Pam from Made with a Twist invited me to participate in her Fall Favourites Crochet Accessoriesevent, I couldn’t resist! It was the perfect opportunity to kick off this collection with a stylish and practical earwarmer. The houndstooth stitch is easy to master, making it ideal for beginners while offering a beautiful texture that looks incredibly intricate.
This crochet earwarmer pattern highlights everything I love about the houndstooth stitch. It has a timeless appeal and creates a fabulous texture that works well in two contrasting colors. I just know this is going to become a favorite among crocheters looking for a quick, satisfying project. Plus, the versatility of this stitch means there’s so much more to come in this collection, so stay tuned for more houndstooth-inspired designs!
Most people tend to go with black and white for the houndstooth because the striking difference in the colours really make the stitch stand out! However, I have chosen to go with a light and dark shade of grey, but also tried it in yellow and green to see what difference that made. And I love the way it turned out – the green and yellow version will be perfect for Spring!
Construction of the design
The construction of The Houndstooth Earwarmer is simple yet effective, making it a great crochet earwarmer pattern for beginners. The earwarmer is worked flat and in rows, with a color change at the end of each row to achieve the striking houndstooth stitch. You have two options when it comes to the yarn: either carry your ‘resting’ yarn (the color you’re not using) or cut the yarn at the end of each row. I chose to cut the yarn for a few reasons. First, this is a small project, so there aren’t too many ends to weave in. Second, carrying the yarn along the edge can create a thicker fabric and use up more yarn, which is great if you need extra warmth, but I wanted a lighter finish.
Another great feature of the houndstooth stitch is that it’s completely reversible! This means that you can choose which side you prefer to be the right side before adding the twist.
Once you’ve completed the main body of the earwarmer, the twist is added when you sew the ends together for a chic and polished look. If you’re unsure how to create the twist, don’t worry—I’ve included a tutorial below to guide you through the process. This finishing touch transforms your project into a stylish fall accessory that’s both functional and fashionable!
The Yarn
For The Houndstooth Earwarmer, I recommend using #4 weight (aran) yarn with a 5mm hook to achieve the perfect balance of warmth and comfort. However, if you prefer a lighter headband rather than an earwarmer, you can easily adapt the pattern by using #3 weight (DK) yarn with a 4mm hook. The pattern’s stitch multiple makes it versatile and easy to customize for different yarn weights and sizes.
You can choose any #4 weight yarn for this project, and it works beautifully with a range of fiber types. Just keep in mind that if you’re making this as a gift, natural wool yarns may cause allergies. If you still want the softness and warmth of wool, I recommend using alpaca yarn, as it’s hypoallergenic and incredibly soft to the touch. A cotton blend is another excellent option for a breathable, lightweight earwarmer that still holds its shape and stitch definition. This pattern gives you the flexibility to work with whatever yarn suits your needs, making it perfect for customizing your fall accessories.
Get the PDF pattern!
You can find the ad-free PDF Pattern for this one in all of my shops. It includes all sizes from child, teen, adult small, medium and large.
The Free Houndstooth Earwarmer pattern specifics:
Materials:
| Any 4 weight yarn of your choosing – 93 yards – CA – 53 yds, CB – 40 yds 5mm (H) hook Scissors Tapestry Needle Stitch Markers optional Measuring Tape |
Gauge:
| 14 sts and 13 rows in 4” Gauge swatch (changing color after each row): Row 1: Ch31, sc in second ch from hook, *dc in next st, sc in next st, dc in next st* Rep from * to * across (30) Row 2: Ch1, turn, sc in first st, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st* Rep from * across (30) Rows 3 -15: Rep row 2. *If you cannot meet gauge see pattern notes for how to adjust the starting stitch count. |
Sizing:
This version of the pattern was created for the Fall Favourites event and so only has one size included as the free pdf pattern during the event as per the event guidelines.
| Size | Width | Length | Approx yardage |
| Adult medium | 4” | 20” | 93 yards – CA – 53 yds, CB – 40 yds |
Abbreviations used:
| · Ch(s)–chain(s) · St(s)–stitch(es) · rep–repeat · sk–skip · DC — double crochet · SC — single crochet · YO — yarn over · FO — fasten off |
Other notes:
| – Written in US terms. – Stitch multiple is 2 (or 2+1 for the starting chain) – Ch1 stitches at the beginning do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. – The stitch count is in parenthesis at the end of row 1 and will be the same for each subsequent row. – To avoid a bulky ear warmer I would highly recommend cutting your yarn at the end of each row rather than carrying it. – You will have a few ends to sew in but not too many!It is best to change color at the final pull through of the final stitch of the row. For my video on how to do this visit: Right handed – https://youtu.be/K2EOgf3dx8k?si=FE13fIvMEQXWyr-9 Left handed – https://youtu.be/iErS4ijeTyM?si=wDtWtQAxIk3Aq-F- |
The Adult Size Medium Free Earwarmer Crochet Pattern:
** This is a free pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
In colour A:
Row 1 – CH 71, SC in second CH from hook, DC in next ch, *SC in next CH, DC in next CH* Rep from * to * across. (70)
In colour B:
Row 2 – Turn, CH1, SC in the first st, DC in next st, *SC in next st, DC in next st* Rep from * to * across.
Rows 3-13 – Repeat row 2 (remembering to change color at the end of each each row except on your final row).
Note: I recommend ending your ear warmer on an add numbered row so that you finish with the same color that you used in row 1.
FO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Assembly:
Note 1: you can also find a video tutorial for how to sew the twist on my YouTube channel at:
Step 2: Fold the ear warmer in half so that right sides are together
Step 3: Holding the ear warmer with the open edges at the top, separate the ends and fold each end in half creating 2 V shapes
Step 4: interlock the V shapes together
Step 5: Sew the four layers together. FO and weave in ends
Step 6: Turn so that right sides are facing outwards.
This Pattern Featured in:
The Fall Favourites event hosted by Made with a Twist.
