The ear warmers were designed using Jenny Watson pure merino DK wool. This wool felt lovely and soft, perfect for being next to the skin! The pattern is worked up using front post and back post trebles; easy enough for a beginner to do.
The large bow is an optional extra and there are clear instructions for making the ear warmers larger and smaller.
I would like to thank my pattern testers from the Instagram community; Karen (@jumpingthroughloops) and Claire (@flowerhead2). Neither of my testers encountered any problems so I am happy to go ahead and publish.
The pattern is available below or if you would like a pdf copy head over to my Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&craft=crochet&query=mrsdaftspaniel. Please do not copy this pattern in any form. Also please do not sell items made following this pattern, it is for personal use only.
Stretchy ear warmers created using the cable rib technique. A larger or smaller headband could easily be created by adding multiples of 4 chains or decreasing by multiples of 4 chains. The ear warmers could also be made without the large bow.
Materials
2 x 50g balls of Jenny Watson pure merino DK (approx 124m per 50g ball), I used “heather”
4.5 mm crochet hook
stitch marker / contrasting piece of yarn
tapestry needle for sewing in ends
Tension
16 stitches and 14 rows per 10cm²
Abbreviations (UK terms)
ch chain
ss slip stitch
tr treble
fptr front post treble (see advice)
bptr back post treble (see advice)
yrh yarn round hook
beg beginning
prev previous
Advice
The ribbed pattern is created by crocheting into the front and back posts of treble stitches instead of into the top of the stitch. Detailed descriptions of these 2 stitches are given below.
fptr yrh, insert hook from front to back of work around back of indicated stitch and back through to the front, yrh, draw round back of post indicated, (yrh draw through 2 loops) twice
bptr yrh, insert hook from back to front of work around front of indicated stitch and back through to the back, yrh, draw round front of post indicated, (yrh draw through 2 loops) twice
It may help to have a stitch marker or contrasting length of wool to mark the beginning of each round.
Pattern
Main band
Ch 76, ss into first ch to form large ring (making sure it isn’t twisted)
Round 1 ch3 (counts as 1tr), tr into each ch, ss into 3rd ch at beg. of round 1 (76 stitches)
Round 2 ch2 (counts as 1bptr), *fptr into next tr (3 times), bptr into next tr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of round 1 (76 stitches)
Rounds 3 - 10 ch2 (counts as 1bptr), *fptr into next fptr (3 times), bptr into next bptr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of prev. round (76 stitches).
Finish off, sewing in ends on reverse.
Bow
Ch 44, ss into first ch to form ring (making sure it isn’t twisted)
Round 1 ch3 (counts as 1tr), *tr into each ch* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 3rd ch at beg. of round 1 (44 stitches)
Round 2 ch2 (counts as 1bptr), *fptr into next tr (3 times), bptr into next tr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of round 2(44 stitches)
Rounds 3 - 10 ch2 (counts as 1bptr), *fptr into next fptr (3 times), bptr into next bptr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of prev. round (44 stitches).
Finish off, leaving 20 cm to secure to main band.
Knot
Ch 22, place chain through main band, ss into first ch to form large ring circling main band (making sure it isn’t twisted)
Round 1 ch3 (counts as 1tr), tr into each ch, ss into 3rd ch at beg. of round 1 (22 stitches)
Round 2 ch2 (counts as 1fptr), *fptr into next tr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of round 1 (22 stitches)
Rounds 3 - 10 ch2 (counts as 1fptr), *fptr into next fptr* repeat to end of round, ending with ss into 2nd ch at beg. of prev. round (22 stitches).
Finish off, leaving 20 cm to secure to main band and bow.
Finishing off
Line up the beginning rounds of both main band and bow. Sew bow securely onto main band in the centre, making sure the stitches will be concealed by the knot later. Cover all ends and joins with the knot. Sew securely to the bow and the main band with 6 strong stitches on reverse only. Sew in ends on reverse.
If you do make the ear warmers, please share a photo with me, I would love to see them!
Happy hooking!
Marta xx
