Looking for a stylish and beginner-friendly free crochet pattern you can make in an evening? This crochet ear warmer pattern is quick, easy, stash-friendly, and available in 5 sizes using DK, aran, or chunky yarn.

The Isobel Ear Warmer is a free crochet headband pattern designed for comfort, texture, and versatility — perfect for Spring and Fall wardrobes and ideal for confident beginners.

If you love projects that look impressive but don’t make you wrestle with your hook, you’re going to enjoy this one. The Isobel Ear Warmer is the very first design in my new Isobel Collection — and it sets the tone beautifully: textured, wearable, and totally approachable.

This crochet ear warmer pattern is perfect for beginners who are comfortable with single crochets and double crochets (US Terms) and want to try something a little different without stepping into “why did I start this?” territory.

The crossed stitches in this design are worked slightly differently than usual. Instead of moving the single crochet out of the way before working the crossed stitch, you simply crochet over it. Yes — really. No stitch wrestling required. Even better, I’ve included full video tutorials to walk you through it step by step, so you’re never left guessing.

The Inspiration Behind the Isobel Ear Warmer

This free crochet pattern actually started as a texture experiment — the best kind of crochet adventure, if you ask me. I was playing around with stitch combinations and stumbled onto this crossed-stitch variation that immediately caught my attention.

Although it’s technically a crossed stitch, the fabric it creates has a surprisingly relaxed, soft feel. That makes this crochet ear warmer pattern not only perfect for accessories, but also a fantastic candidate for future sweaters and cardigans too (yes — those are coming, and yes — you’ll want them).

I first tried working the stitch combination the traditional way — moving the first stitch out of the way and crossing in front. The result? Too firm, too structured, and honestly a bit fiddly because the first stitch is a single crochet and not exactly cooperative. So I tried crocheting directly over the single crochet instead and it worked like a charm. The single crochet naturally pulls through the double crochet, giving a softer texture and a much smoother workflow.

I named this design the Isobel Ear Warmer after one of my daughter’s good friends. The stitch texture reminded me of her — a little shy at first glance, but full of warmth and guaranteed to make you smile.

Construction of This Crochet Ear Warmer Pattern

This free crochet headband pattern is:

• Worked flat in short rows
• Easy to adjust for a more custom fit
• Great for stash busting
• Ideal for confident beginners

You can add color changes wherever you like, which makes it perfect for using what you already have on hand. The pattern is written for:

• #3 DK yarn
• #4 Aran yarn
• #5 Chunky yarn

And includes 5 sizes from child to adult large — that’s 15 total yarn/size combinations. No excuses not to make at least three.

The twist is added after you finish crocheting the rectangle. I’ve included a tutorial below showing exactly how to do this. The stitch pattern is also reversible, so you can choose which side you prefer as the right side before adding the twist.

Get the Printable PDF Pattern

If you prefer an ad-free, printable version of this crochet ear warmer pattern, you can grab the PDF here:

Purchasing the PDF helps support my designs and allows me to keep creating free patterns for you.

Head Over Heels Event – Free Download Day

This crochet ear warmer pattern is featured in the Head Over Heels Event hosted by MadameStitch.

🗓 Free PDF download for 24 hours on Wednesday 18th February 2026 only

You can join the event in two ways:

Option 1 — Daily Downloads:
Visit each day and collect the featured patterns as they become available.

Option 2 — Bundle Access:
Purchase the full bundle for less than $0.75 per pattern. You get immediate access to all featured designs and won’t miss any if life gets busy. The bundle disappears after 23rd February, so once it’s gone — it’s gone.

Just click your preferred option below!

Full Video Tutorials (Right & Left Handed)

I’ve created complete start-to-finish video tutorials for this free crochet pattern:

• Right-handed tutorial: https://youtu.be/V0wvFNxQAf8 
• Left-handed tutorial: https://youtu.be/gShTr8vDePo 

You can crochet along with me every step of the way.

Pattern Specifics

Gauge

If using 3 weight (DK) yarn and a 4mm hook  – 10 sts and 6 rows in 2”.

If using 4 weight (aran) yarn and 5mm hook – 9 sts and 5 rows in 2”.

If using 5 weight (chunky) yarn and 6mm hook – 8 sts and 5 rows in 2”.

Sizes and yardage

Child, Teen, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large

Materials

• Any 3, 4 or 5 weight yarn of your choosing – See size chart below for yardage requirements. 
• 4mm (G), 5mm (H) or 6mm (J) hook 
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers optional
• Measuring Tape 

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• Ch(s) – chain(s)
• DC – double crochet 
• FO – fasten off 
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Rep – repeat
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Rep – repeat
• SC – single crochet 
• Sk – skip
• YO – yarn over 
• FO – fasten off 

Pattern Notes

• Written in US terms. 
• Ch1 stitches at the beginning do not count as a st.
• The stitch count is in parenthesis at the end of row 1 and will be the same for each subsequent row. 
• Sizes are written as child (teen, adult small, adult medium, adult large) where the instructions differ per size.
• Row 1 has 3 options – be sure to pick the correct option for the size of yarn you are using. All sizes will then continue to row 2.
• This pattern is worked in short rows.
• When working the DC into the skipped stitch, do not worry about moving the sc out of the way first. Simply crochet the dc ‘over’ the sc – your work will relax after a few stitches so you can see the top of the sc.
• On each row you will work a sc into the top of the sc from the previous row and a dc into the top of the dc from the previous row.
• If changing colour 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- 

Free Crochet Ear Warmer Pattern

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet 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!**

If using 3 weight (DK) yarn and 4mm hook:

Row 1 –  Ch 17 (21, 27, 27, 27), Note where the 3^rd and 4^th chain from the hook are. Sc in fourth ch from hook, dc in the 3^rd ch from hook (2 chs at the start of the row count as a hdc). *sk next ch, sc in next chain, dc in sk’d chain* Rep from * to * until you have 1 ch remaining. HDC in last ch.

(16 (20, 26, 26, 26) sts)

If using 4 weight (aran) yarn and 5mm hook:

Row 1 – Ch 13 (17, 21, 21, 21), Note where the 3^rd and 4^th chain from the hook are. Sc in fourth ch from hook, dc in the 3^rd ch from hook (2 chs at the start of the row count as a hdc). *sk next ch, sc in next chain, dc in sk’d chain* Rep from * to * until you have 1 ch remaining. HDC in last ch.

(12 (16, 20, 20, 20) sts)

If using 5 weight (chunky) yarn and 6mm hook:

Row 1 –  Ch 11 (15, 19, 19, 19), Note where the 3^rd and 4^th chain from the hook are. Sc in fourth ch from hook, dc in the 3^rd ch from hook (2 chs at the start of the row count as a hdc). *sk next ch, sc in next chain, dc in sk’d chain* Rep from * to * until you have 1 ch remaining. HDC in last ch.

(10 (14, 18, 18, 18) sts)

All Yarn Weights:

Row 2 – Turn, CH1, hdc in first st, *sk next dc, sc in next sc, dc in sk’d dc* Rep from * to * across until you have 1 st remaining. Hdc in last st.

Rows 3 on – Repeat row 2 until your ear warmer is 17 (18, 19, 20, 21)” long, or as long as desired.

FO and leave a long tail for sewing. 

Assembly:

Note 1: you can also find a video tutorial for how to sew the twist in my videos linked above.

Note 2: The figure photos below are not for this ear warmer but show the process.

To sew the twist:

Step 1: With right side facing you (choose which side you prefer) lay the ear warmer flat.

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.

Final Thoughts

This free crochet headband pattern is one of those projects that sneaks into your regular rotation — quick to make, easy to wear, and just textured enough to feel special. It’s a perfect introduction to the Isobel Collection, and there’s more coming in this stitch family soon.

When you make your Isobel Ear Warmer, come show it off — I absolutely love seeing your work:

• Tag me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SunflowerCottageCrochet
• Tag me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunflower.cottage.crochet.too

Now go raid that yarn stash and make your ears something cozy. Your future self on a breezy morning will be very grateful. 🧶