How to Knit Earwarmers/Headband Pattern #105 │ by The Pattern Family
There is something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands, especially when the finished object is both beautiful and useful. Knitted earwarmers and headbands fall into that perfect sweet spot — they are small enough to finish in a single sitting or a cozy weekend afternoon, yet the result is a polished, wearable accessory that looks like it came straight from a boutique. Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for a quick gift project or a beginner who has just mastered the basic knit stitch, Pattern #105 by The Pattern Family is designed to guide you every step of the way.
In this post, we are walking through everything you need to know about this earwarmer and headband pattern: the materials you will need, how to read the pattern, step-by-step knitting instructions, tips for customizing the fit, and finishing techniques that will make your project look truly professional. By the time you reach the end, you will have all the knowledge you need to cast on with confidence.
Why Knitted Earwarmers Are the Perfect Project
Before we dive into the how-to, let us take a moment to appreciate why knitted earwarmers have become one of the most beloved beginner and intermediate knitting projects out there.
First, they are fast. Unlike a sweater that might take months, or even socks that require a bit of patience with double-pointed needles, an earwarmer can be completed in just a few hours. That means you get the satisfaction of a finished object quickly, which is incredibly motivating if you are new to the craft or just need a confidence boost.
Second, they are practical. A headband that covers the ears is genuinely useful during fall and winter months. It keeps your ears warm without flattening your hair the way a beanie sometimes does, and it is easy to tuck into a coat pocket or a bag. People of all ages love receiving them as gifts.
Third, they are incredibly versatile. You can knit them in chunky yarn for a cozy, rustic look, or choose a finer weight for something more elegant. You can work in a single color, add stripes, incorporate a cable panel, or play with texture through ribbing. The basic structure of Pattern #105 gives you a strong foundation to experiment with all of these variations.
Finally, earwarmers are an excellent project for practicing important knitting skills — casting on, working in the round (or flat and then seaming), reading a pattern, and finishing cleanly. Each of these skills transfers directly to larger, more complex projects down the road.
Materials You Will Need
Before you sit down to knit, gather everything you need. There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through a project and discovering you are missing a key tool. Here is what Pattern #105 calls for.
Yarn: The pattern works beautifully in a medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight (Category 4). You will need approximately 50 to 75 yards, depending on the head size you are making. This means a single skein of most worsted weight yarns is more than enough, and you will likely have leftover yarn for another project. For a classic look, try a smooth wool or wool-blend yarn. For something softer against sensitive skin, an alpaca blend or a merino wool is wonderful. Acrylic yarns also work well and make the finished earwarmer machine washable, which is a practical consideration for gifts.
Needles: The pattern recommends US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles. You can work this pattern flat on straight needles and seam at the end, or use a short circular needle (16 inches) or a set of double-pointed needles if you prefer to work in the round and avoid seaming. Your gauge and personal preference will guide which method suits you best.
Additional Tools: You will need a yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle) for weaving in ends and, if you are seaming, for joining the edges together. A tape measure is helpful for checking gauge and measuring the finished width and circumference of your work. Stitch markers can be useful if you are working in the round. A pair of scissors completes the toolkit.
Gauge: For Pattern #105, the gauge is approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch before starting. Gauge affects the finished size significantly, and a headband that is too tight will not go on comfortably, while one that is too loose will slip around or fall over the eyes. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly — go up a needle size if your stitches are too small and tight, or down a size if they are too large and loose.
Understanding the Pattern Structure
Pattern #105 by The Pattern Family is written in a clear, accessible format, but if you are new to reading knitting patterns, a little orientation goes a long way.
The pattern provides instructions for multiple sizes: Child, Adult Small/Medium, and Adult Large. Head circumference varies more than people expect, so it is worth measuring the intended wearer’s head before you begin. To measure, wrap a soft measuring tape around the head just above the ears, where the headband will sit. A typical adult head circumference falls between 21 and 23 inches, but this can vary. Children’s heads generally measure between 19 and 21 inches.
The finished earwarmer is designed to have about one to two inches of negative ease, meaning it will be slightly smaller than the actual head circumference. Stretchy ribbing makes up the difference, and that light snugness is what keeps the band securely in place without feeling constricting.
The pattern is worked flat, which means you knit back and forth in rows rather than in a continuous round. This makes it accessible even if you have not yet tried circular or double-pointed needles. Once the knitting is done, the two short ends are seamed together to form the loop that goes around the head.
Step-by-Step Knitting Instructions
Now we get to the heart of it. Let us walk through the process from cast-on to bind-off.
Step 1: Cast On
Using your preferred cast-on method, cast on the number of stitches specified for your chosen size. Pattern #105 uses a long-tail cast on for most sizes, which creates a tidy, elastic edge that works beautifully with ribbing. If you are not familiar with the long-tail cast on, a simple backward loop cast on or a knitted cast on will also work — just know that the long-tail version gives you a more professional finish.
For a Child size, cast on 60 stitches. For Adult Small/Medium, cast on 72 stitches. For Adult Large, cast on 84 stitches.
Step 2: Work the Ribbing
The main stitch pattern in this earwarmer is 2×2 ribbing, which means you alternate between knitting 2 stitches and purling 2 stitches across every row. This creates the characteristic stretchy columns of knit and purl stitches that are both visually attractive and functionally excellent for something that needs to stretch over the head and grip the ear area securely.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit 2, Purl 2; repeat from to end of row.
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl 2, Knit 2; repeat from to end of row.
Repeat these two rows until your piece measures 3.5 inches for the Child size, 4 inches for Adult Small/Medium, and 4.5 inches for Adult Large. These measurements give the earwarmer enough height to cover the ears completely without folding excessively at the top or bottom.
If you want a wider headband — more of a boho style that sits higher on the forehead — simply knit more rows until you reach the desired height, checking as you go by holding the knitted piece up to the head of your intended wearer or measuring against a headband you already own and love.
Step 3: Bind Off
When your piece has reached the correct height, it is time to bind off. Use a stretchy bind off method to match the elastic quality of the cast-on edge and the ribbing. The most reliable option is to bind off in pattern, meaning you knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as you work the bind-off row. This keeps the edge flexible.
To bind off: work the first two stitches in pattern, then pass the first stitch over the second and off the needle. Continue working one stitch in pattern and passing the previous stitch over until one stitch remains. Cut your yarn, leaving a tail of about six inches, and draw the tail through the last stitch to secure it.
Step 4: Seam the Ends Together
Lay your finished piece flat. The two short ends — the cast-on edge and the bind-off edge — will be joined together to create the loop of the headband. Thread your yarn needle with the tail end from the bind-off.
Use a mattress stitch for the seam. This is worked by picking up the bars between the edge stitch and the second-to-last stitch, alternating between both edges. Done correctly, mattress stitch creates a nearly invisible seam that lies flat and does not add bulk. Work the seam from the right side so you can see exactly how it looks as you go.
Once the seam is complete, weave in all yarn tails securely. Pass each tail through several stitches in different directions so it cannot work its way loose with wear and washing.
Finishing and Blocking
Finishing is the step that separates a homemade-looking object from a truly polished one. Even a simple earwarmer benefits from a light blocking.
To block your finished headband, wet it thoroughly in cool or lukewarm water (follow your yarn’s care instructions). Gently squeeze out excess water — do not wring, which can distort the fibers — and roll it in a clean towel to remove more moisture. Then shape the headband into a circle, stretching it gently to even out the stitches and open up the ribbing slightly. Lay it on a blocking mat or a folded towel and allow it to dry completely before wearing or gifting.
For wool and wool-blend yarns, blocking can make a dramatic difference. The fibers bloom slightly, the stitches even out, and the entire piece looks more intentional and cohesive. For acrylic yarns, a steam block (holding a steam iron a few inches above the surface without touching the yarn) can have a similar effect, though you should check whether your specific yarn can handle steam before trying this.
Customizing Pattern #105
One of the things that makes this pattern so appealing is how easily it adapts to different styles, skill levels, and yarn choices.
Add a Cable Panel: If you are comfortable with cables, consider replacing the center section of the ribbing with a simple cable panel. A 6-stitch cable crossed every 4 rows adds beautiful texture and visual interest without dramatically increasing the complexity of the project. Position it at the center front of the headband where it will show when worn.
Try Seed Stitch: For a different texture, swap the 2×2 ribbing for seed stitch, which alternates knit and purl within each row and between rows. Seed stitch does not have the same elasticity as ribbing, so you may want to add a few extra stitches to ensure a comfortable fit. The bumpy, woven texture of seed stitch gives the headband a slightly more rustic, artisanal feel.
Use Variegated or Self-Striping Yarn: Because the headband is a small project, even a single skein of hand-dyed or variegated yarn creates a stunning effect. The color changes work their way through the ribbing in an organic, unpredictable way that looks complex but requires no extra effort on your part.
Make a Twisted Headband: Before seaming the two short ends, give one end a single twist. This creates a figure-eight shape when the seam is closed, producing a gathered twist at the center of the headband. This style has a graceful, slightly formal look and is especially popular for wedding or special occasion accessories.
Knit a Set: An earwarmer works beautifully as part of a coordinated set with matching mittens or a cowl. If you fall in love with a particular yarn and stitch pattern, extending the project into a small coordinated collection is a wonderful way to keep the momentum going.
Tips for Knitting Success
A few practical tips will help ensure your earwarmer comes out exactly as you envisioned.
Always check your gauge before starting the main project. Yes, swatching can feel like an interruption when you are eager to begin, but an inch difference in gauge can mean a headband that does not fit. Knit a small square, measure it, and adjust your needle size if necessary.
Keep consistent tension throughout the project. Ribbing in particular can develop a loose, uneven look if your tension varies between the knit and purl stitches. If your purls tend to be looser than your knits (a very common issue), try purling through the back loop, which naturally tightens the stitch.
Count your stitches at the end of the first few rows to make sure you have the correct number. It is much easier to catch and fix a mistake early than to discover it when you are almost done.
Use stitch markers even on a flat project. Placing a marker after every 12 or 18 stitches makes it easy to see at a glance if your stitch count is correct.
If you are knitting this as a gift and are unsure of the recipient’s head size, knit the Adult Small/Medium version and use a stretchy cast-on and bind-off. The elasticity of well-worked ribbing accommodates a range of head sizes gracefully.
Caring for Your Finished Earwarmer
Once your headband is complete, you will want it to stay beautiful for as long as possible. Care depends heavily on the fiber content of your yarn, so always check the label.
Wool and wool blends should generally be hand-washed in cool water with a gentle detergent or wool wash. Lay flat to dry. Machine washing can cause wool to felt and shrink dramatically, which is difficult or impossible to reverse.
Acrylic yarns are usually machine washable on a gentle cycle and can be tumble dried on low heat, making them practical for everyday wear and gifts to people who prefer low-maintenance items.
Alpaca and alpaca blends should be treated gently, similar to wool. Store your finished pieces folded rather than hanging, as stretching under their own weight can distort the shape over time.
A Few Words About The Pattern Family
The Pattern Family creates patterns with accessibility and clarity at the forefront. Pattern #105 in particular reflects this philosophy — the instructions are written in plain language, the sizing is thoughtfully inclusive, and the stitch choices are intentional, ensuring that both beginners and experienced knitters find the process enjoyable rather than frustrating. If you enjoy this pattern, exploring the broader collection is well worth your time. From simple dishcloths to cozy blankets, hats, and beyond, there is something for every skill level and every season.
Final Thoughts
Knitting an earwarmer or headband is one of those projects that reminds you why you fell in love with the craft in the first place. It is immediate, satisfying, and useful. Pattern #105 by The Pattern Family gives you a reliable, well-designed framework, and everything beyond that is up to you — the yarn you choose, the color you fall in love with, the person you decide to knit it for.
Cast on, settle into your rhythm, and enjoy every stitch. The finished headband will keep someone warm this season, and long after it is done, you will still feel the quiet pride of having made it with your own hands.
Happy knitting.
