The Ultimate Hooded Scarf Crochet Pattern: Your Complete Guide to Cozy Bear Ear Bonnet Magic
There is something undeniably satisfying about wrapping yourself in a piece you made with your own two hands. A hooded scarf combines the best of two beloved winter accessories into one cozy creation, and when you add adorable bear ears to the mix, you have a finished project that people will stop you on the street to ask about. This pattern guide will walk you through everything you need to know to crochet a hooded bonnet scarf that is warm, stylish, and genuinely fun to make — whether you are a beginner ready to tackle your first wearable project or an experienced crocheter looking for a new seasonal favorite.
The hooded scarf, sometimes called a hood scarf or crochet bonnet scarf, has become one of the most popular winter crochet projects in recent years, and it is easy to understand why. It stays on your head without the fuss of a traditional hat, wraps warmly around your neck without the bulk of a separate scarf, and can be customized endlessly with different yarns, stitch textures, and embellishments. Add bear ears and you have the kind of whimsical, cozy accessory that works for children and adults alike.
What You Will Need Before You Start
Before diving into the pattern itself, it helps to gather all of your materials so you can work without interruption. Nothing breaks creative flow quite like realizing you are short on yarn when you are halfway through your hood.
Yarn: You will want a bulky or super bulky weight yarn for the best results. Look for something with a soft hand feel since this piece will sit against your face and neck. Wool blends, chenille, velvet yarn, and thick acrylic options all work beautifully. For an adult-sized hooded scarf, plan on roughly 200 to 250 yards depending on the length of your scarf tails. For a child’s version, 150 yards should be sufficient. Popular color choices include camel, cream, gray, rust, and deep forest green, though truly any color you love will work.
Hook: A 6mm or 6.5mm crochet hook pairs well with bulky yarn for this project. If you are using super bulky yarn, move up to a 9mm or 10mm hook. Always check your gauge before starting to ensure your finished size will match the dimensions you need.
Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers if you tend to lose your place. If you are making the bear ear version, having a small amount of contrasting yarn or felt on hand for the inner ear detail adds a lovely finishing touch.
Gauge: For the standard bulky version, aim for approximately 10 stitches and 8 rows in a 4-inch square using half double crochet. Gauge matters more for wearables than for home décor projects, so do take a few minutes to swatch if you want consistent sizing.
Understanding the Construction
One of the reasons this hooded scarf pattern is so accessible is that the construction is straightforward and logical. Rather than working in the round like a traditional hat or attempting complicated seaming, this project is worked flat in simple rows and then folded and seamed along one edge to create the hood shape.
Think of the hood portion as a rectangle. When you fold that rectangle in half and seam the top edge, you create a naturally shaped hood. The scarf tails extend from either side of the hood opening, draping down in front to keep your neck and chest warm. The bear ears are crocheted separately as small circles or ovals and attached at the corners of the folded hood.
This means the project is essentially composed of three elements: the main hood and scarf body worked as one long piece, the two bear ears, and the finishing seam plus any decorative details. Once you understand this structure, the pattern becomes intuitive and easy to memorize after the first few rows.
The Pattern: Adult Size Hooded Bear Ear Scarf
Finished Measurements: Hood opening approximately 10 inches wide, scarf tails approximately 20 to 22 inches long each side, total length approximately 52 to 54 inches.
Abbreviations used:
ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch, rep = repeat, sl st = slip stitch, sp = space, RS = right side, WS = wrong side
Foundation and Scarf Body
Begin by chaining 17. This will form the width of your scarf tails. The number of chains determines how wide your scarf is, so if you prefer a narrower scarf, chain 13 or 14, and for a wider, more dramatic drape, chain 20 to 22.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in the third chain from the hook (skipped chains count as first hdc), work 1 hdc in each chain across. You will have 15 hdc. Chain 2, turn.
Row 2: Work 1 hdc in each stitch across, being careful to work into the top of the turning chain at the end. Chain 2, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until your scarf tail measures approximately 20 inches from the beginning. Place a stitch marker at both edges of your work at this point to mark the start of the hood section. Do not fasten off.
Hood Section
The hood section is wider than the scarf tails to accommodate the depth of the hood and allow comfortable room around your face. You will increase at the beginning of the next row to add stitches for this extra width.
Increase Row: Chain 2, work 2 hdc in the first stitch, 1 hdc in each stitch across to the last stitch, work 2 hdc in the last stitch. You now have 17 hdc. Chain 2, turn.
Repeat this increase row two more times until you have 21 hdc. Chain 2, turn.
Continue working even in hdc (no increases or decreases) across all 21 stitches until the hood section measures approximately 12 to 13 inches from the first increase row. This gives you plenty of depth so the hood sits comfortably over your head and provides real coverage, not just a decorative hood suggestion.
Place a stitch marker at both edges again to mark the end of the hood section.
Second Scarf Tail
Now you will decrease back down to the original scarf width to create the second tail.
Decrease Row: Chain 2, hdc2tog over the first two stitches, work 1 hdc in each stitch across to the last two stitches, hdc2tog. You now have 19 hdc. Chain 2, turn.
Repeat this decrease row two more times until you return to 15 hdc. Chain 2, turn.
Work even in hdc for approximately 20 inches to match your first scarf tail. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Seaming the Hood
Fold the entire piece in half so that the two stitch markers on one side meet the two stitch markers on the other side. The folded piece should form a shape where the hood section sits at the top and the two scarf tails hang down from either side.
Using your yarn needle and a length of the same yarn, seam along the top edge of the hood section using whipstitch or mattress stitch. Work through both layers for the entire length of the hood section only — do not seam the scarf tails, which should remain open and free to wrap around your neck.
When your seam is complete, you will have a fully formed hood with two long scarf tails. The seam will sit at the crown of the head when worn, which is both functional and gives the finished piece a neat, intentional look.
Crocheting the Bear Ears
The bear ears are where this pattern really comes to life. They are small, satisfying to make, and the whole reason people fall in love with this particular hooded scarf design. You will make two outer ears and, if you choose, two inner ear details.
Outer Ear (make 2):
With your main yarn color, make a magic ring or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 2 (counts as first hdc), work 9 hdc into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 2. You will have 10 hdc. (6 sc, join)
Round 2: Chain 2, work 1 hdc in the same stitch as the join, work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain. You will have 20 hdc.
Round 3: Chain 2, work 1 hdc in the same stitch, work 1 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the next stitch, 1 hdc in the next stitch, rep from around. Join. You will have 30 hdc.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the hood.
Inner Ear Detail (optional, make 2):
Using a contrasting color such as blush pink, dusty rose, or a lighter version of your main color, work Rounds 1 and 2 only from the outer ear instructions. Fasten off. Using your yarn needle, stitch the inner ear piece centered onto the front of the outer ear piece before attaching everything to the hood.
Attaching the Ears
Position each ear at the top corners of the folded hood, just on either side of your center seam. Pin them in place and try the hood on if possible to check placement before you sew. The ears should sit toward the top of your head, not too far back or too far to the sides.
Once you are happy with placement, use your yarn needle and the long tail to stitch securely all the way around the base of each ear. A bit of stuffing tucked inside the ear before you finish sewing gives them a slightly three-dimensional shape, which photographs beautifully and adds a fun structural quality to the finished piece.
Finishing Touches and Customization
Once your ears are attached and all ends are woven in, take a moment to gently block your finished hooded scarf if your yarn is a natural fiber or blend that responds well to blocking. A light steam block or a soak and lay flat to dry can transform a slightly stiff or uneven finished piece into something that looks truly polished and professional.
This pattern is wonderfully adaptable once you know the basic structure. Here are some ways to make it your own.
Stitch texture variations: The basic half double crochet gives a smooth, dense fabric that is wonderfully warm. You can substitute a moss stitch, a linen stitch, or even a simple granny stripe pattern for a different visual texture. Just be sure to adjust your starting chain if your chosen stitch requires a different foundation count.
Fringe and tassels: Adding fringe to the ends of your scarf tails is a fast way to give the finished piece a boho, playful look. Cut lengths of yarn approximately twice the length you want the finished fringe, fold each length in half, and use your crochet hook to pull the fold through the edge stitch and then thread the ends through the loop. Trim to even after all fringe is attached.
Button or toggle closure: Some people prefer their hooded scarf to be able to close at the front. You can add a large wooden button or a vintage toggle to one scarf tail and work a button loop on the opposite tail to create a closure that keeps everything snug and in place.
Pom pom accent: Attaching a large fluffy pom pom to the crown of the hood where the seam sits adds a traditional winter hat feel and a touch of playfulness. You can make a pom pom from the same yarn or from a contrasting color for a fun pop of contrast.
Sizing Adjustments for Children
This pattern scales down beautifully for babies, toddlers, and older children. The key adjustments are to the width of the scarf, the length of the scarf tails, and the depth of the hood.
For a toddler version, reduce your starting chain to 11 or 12 stitches and keep your scarf tail length to around 14 inches on each side. The hood section should be approximately 9 to 10 inches deep rather than 12 to 13. Everything else in the pattern remains the same — the bear ears can actually stay the same size for small children, as slightly oversized ears add to the adorable appeal of the finished piece.
For a baby size, reduce your starting chain to 9 or 10 and shorten the scarf tails to 10 to 12 inches. The hood section should be 8 inches deep. Use a smaller hook, such as 5mm, and drop down to a worsted weight yarn for a more delicate finished fabric that suits a small baby’s proportions.
Yarn Substitution Notes
If you are not sure which yarn to choose, a few favorites from the crochet community stand out for this type of project. Lion Brand Thick and Quick, Bernat Blanket yarn, and Paintbox Simply Super Chunky are all widely available, affordable, and come in a beautiful range of colors. For a more luxurious feel, consider a wool or alpaca blend — the natural fibers add warmth that truly cannot be replicated by acrylic alone, and they tend to block beautifully.
Avoid very stiff or scratchy yarns for anything that will sit against your face and neck. If in doubt, hold a strand of yarn against your inner wrist before purchasing. If it feels scratchy there, it will feel scratchy on your face when worn.
How to Wear Your Hooded Bear Ear Scarf
The beauty of this accessory is its versatility. Pull the hood up for full coverage on blustery days and let the scarf tails wrap around your neck and drape loosely in front. For milder weather, push the hood back and let it rest behind your head like a cowl while the tails still keep your chest warm. You can also loop one scarf tail over the opposite shoulder and secure it under the other tail for a cross-body look that keeps everything tucked in.
Children especially love the bear ear version because it can be worn as a simple hood while reading, playing indoors, or just lounging — no separate hat needed, and nothing to lose track of.
Sharing Your Finished Project
Once your hooded scarf is complete, you will want to photograph it well to capture all the cozy detail work. Natural light always produces the most accurate colors, and a simple neutral background lets the texture and shape of the piece speak for itself. If you share your finished work on social media or on Ravelry, tagging it with terms like hooded scarf crochet, bear ear bonnet, and crochet hood scarf makes it easy for other crafters to find and be inspired by your work.
Crochet patterns like this one are also wonderful gifts. A handmade hooded bonnet scarf tells the recipient that you spent real time and care creating something just for them, and the bear ear detail gives it a personal, playful quality that a store-bought accessory simply cannot replicate. Make one in a person’s favorite color, or try a neutral like cream or oatmeal that will pair with anything in their wardrobe.
Whether you are picking up your hook for the very first time or adding another wearable to a well-loved collection, this hooded scarf crochet pattern offers the perfect combination of approachable technique and genuinely impressive results. The finished piece is warm, well-constructed, cozy enough for the coldest winter days, and charming enough to become a signature accessory. Cast on your first chain, work your first row of half double crochet, and enjoy the deeply satisfying process of making something beautiful, functional, and completely your own.
