Where we live, right before winter hits, there’s a strange in-between phase at the end of fall where it’s too cold to go outside wearing nothing of your ears but not quite cold enough to warrant a full on winter hat because you might get too hot. That’s why we’ve always loved wearing winter headbands and ear warmers! Of course, there are plenty of different styles in these that you can buy in stores, but we find them quite simple and fun to make and we always feel more accomplished when we wear something we created ourselves.
Just in case you’re feeling just as interested as we were in the idea of making your very own fall time headbands and ear warmers, here are 15 of the very best ides, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search!
1. Fleece ear warmer headband
Are you quite new to the world of sewing, so you’re looking for a design that’s very simple indeed, and preferably in a fabric that’s easy to work with, but you’d still like it to be quite soft and cozy? In that case, we’d argue that a fleece headband to wrap around your ears is the best bet! See how easily you can make one on Mary Martha Mama.
2. Bow style fleece headband ear warmer
Are you actually a huge fan of this fleece headband idea but you’re also feeling up for a slight challenge and you can’t help wishing it had just a touch more detail than that basic design does? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Fleece Fun made a similar piece but cinched it at the centre this time with a matching fleece band, making the front look like it’s gathered into a very simple faux bow.
3. Crochet cable ear warmer
Rather than working with fabrics, are you usually a total yarn crafting enthusiast? Well, if the crochet hook is your preferred tool, then we think you might get along very well indeed with this straightforward cabled ear warmer outlined in awesome detail on My Love for Creativity! Cables are a small challenge for beginners, but this particular design is quite easy in the grand scheme of things, so it makes a great first-time cabling project for learners.
4. Floral fleece ear warmers
Just in case you’re still thinking about how much you love the idea of making ear warmers from fleece but you’re slightly more experienced in sewing and you’d prefer to get them some kind of shape and detail, check out this tutorial that has several different patterns in one! We’re particularly fond of the way Zaaberry outlined these layered floral designs.
5. Old t-shirt headband with pretty rose accent
Are you basically in love with this whole floral headband design but you actually live somewhere that’s a little warmer than what we’ve described, so you’re pretty sure fleece will be too hot and make you sweat? Then we’d be willing to bet that these spiralled flower headbands that are made from upcycled t-shirts might be a little more up your alley! Get the full details for making them happen on We Know How to Do It.
6. Unicorn headband with ear flaps
If you’re a much more experienced sewing enthusiast than we’ve described so far, then we’d be willing to bet that making something a little more character based for your kids will be essentially no challenge to you at all! If we’re right, then we think you just might be the perfect person to give these adorable fleece unicorn ear warmers a try. This tutorial from Me Sew Crazy even shows you how to give them little plush horns!
7. Cable knit ear warmer
Were you totally enamoured with the idea of crocheting your own ear warmer and you even liked the idea of doing cables, but you’re just not sure that the first pattern we showed you was actually quite advanced enough for what you had in mind? In that case, maybe you’d get along a little better with this slightly more challenging double cable design outlined in a full pattern thanks to Purls and Pixels!
8. DIY fleece monogrammed headband
Are you actually experienced enough in sewing that you’ve been looking for simple projects to practice the embroidery feature on your machine on? Well, if you happen to love monogrammed projects even half as much as we do then we’re pretty sure this next idea from Pinkwhen might be right up your alley! They show you how to create an entire name across the front of a simple fleece ear warmer in a way that’s easier than it might look.
9. Crochet knotted headband
Are you actually feeling torn between the idea of crocheting yourself a nice new headband and making something like the gathered ones from fleece that you saw earlier on our list? Well, who ever said that you have to choose between the two? Instead, check out how Rescued Paw Designs crocheted this simple design and then cinched and wrapped it in the middle to make it look knotted, similarly to the other idea you liked but this time made using your favourite yarn crafting techniques!
10. Crocheted big bow head wrap
If you’re going to put in the time and effort it takes to crochet yourself an ear warmer with a feature that even remotely looks like a bow, would you rather just put your skills to the test and actually make yourself an ear warmer with a big, cheerful yarn bow? In that case, we think this pattern from Ramsileigh Designs, which teaches you how to do precisely that, might be the perfect idea for you!
11. Bordered crocheted ear warmers
Are you still thinking about how much you love the idea of using your crochet skills to make yourself an ear warmer with cables, but your skill level actually lies somewhere between the first simple idea we showed you and the concept with two cables instead of one? In that case, we think you might have better luck with something like this bordered idea, the steps for which are outlined nice and clearly thanks to By Jenni Designs!
12. DIY puffed crochet headband
Just in case you’re not over the crochet concept yet but you’d rather skip all of the cables and bows in favour of something that has a simpler texture, here’s another pattern we really appreciate, this time provided by Rescued Paw Designs! They show you how to make a puffed stitch using yarn that’s a little chunkier than most of what you’ve seen so far.
13. Forget-me-nots fleece ear warmer
Are you still thinking about how much you’d like to make yourself a toasty fleece headband but you’re also so taken with the idea of embellishing it that you might prefer to get even slightly more artistic with it than you’ve seen so far? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Delia Creates
14. Minky rose ear warmer
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to find something even softer than either yarn or fleece? Then we’re pleased to tell you that your patience has finally paid off! We’d encourage you to check out the steps that Pinkwhen has outlined for making this simple, beginner-friendly ear warmer that they chose to make from super soft “minky” fabric.
15. Basic knitted crossover headband
Have you been reading all of these descriptions of yarn work headbands and ear warmers and just waiting for a knitting pattern to come along, since you’ve always preferred that to crochet? Well, your time has finally come! We’ve actually knit this wonderfully simple crossover knitted ear warmer before and we couldn’t recommend it enough. Get the full pattern on Sewing From Home.
Have you made other kinds of adorable winter headbands and ear warmers before that you really liked and still wear but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
