The Cordelia Ear Warmer is the best alternative to a hat. It keeps you warm and cozy without ruining your hair. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make.

The Cordelia Ear Warmer

Picture this: the temps aren’t all that cold, but there’s a stiff wind whipping around you. You don’t really need a full-on winter hat…but your ears are freezing. What’s a girl to do?

That’s where the Cordelia Ear Warmer swoops in to save the day. It gives you just the right amount of coverage, keeping your ears cozy when you need it most.

I’ll be honest: I’ve never been a fan of wearing hats. When I was younger, it was all about avoiding the dreaded hat hair. Now, it just feels strange to have something covering my whole head. 

So, if you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish alternative to a winter hat, a crocheted ear warmer is the perfect choice. And the Cordelia Ear Warmer? It’s just the solution you need when a hat simply won’t do.

Why You’ll Love This Ear Warmer

If you’re not convinced yet, here are 3 reasons you should love the Cordelia Ear Warmer:

• It’s perfect for those in-between weather days: keep your ears warm without overheating your head.
• It’s lightweight and easy to stash: pop one in your pocket and you’re always prepared.
• It’s quick to crochet and budget-friendly: crochet an ear warmer in an evening with yarn from your stash!

Whether you’re stepping out on a blustery morning, heading to a fall festival, or just need a little extra warmth without committing to a full hat, this ear warmer fits seamlessly into everyday life. It’s comfortable, practical, and stylish—offering exactly what you need when the weather can’t quite make up its mind.

The Cordelia Ear Warmer proves that staying warm doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or style. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t need a hat, but my ears are freezing,” this is the accessory you’ll reach for again and again.

Other Ear Warmers in the MadameStitch Collection

Design + Construction

I love making an ear warmer because it’s so quick and easy. The Cordelia Ear Warmer is no exception.

Worked entirely in the round, no seaming is required. And, when you’re all done, you’ll have only 2 ends to weave in. Don’t you just love a project that isn’t fussy? Me, too!

I’ve added my favorite kind of texture to the Cordelia Ear Warmer – subtle and cozy.

Granny stitches combined with half double crochets worked in the 3rd loop (aka the camel stitch) blend beautifully for the perfect balance of style and warmth. You’ll love the mindful rhythm of the stitches as you work up your very own Cordelia Ear Warmer.

The Cordelia Ear Warmer comes in 3 Adult Sizes (scroll down to the Pattern Instructions to find the details)

The Yarn

I chose worsted weight yarn for the Cordelia Ear Warmer because it provides warmth without being too bulky.

Lion Brand’s Heartland is easy care (it’s acrylic), warm and soft. It’s easy to work with and creates a snuggle-worthy look. You’re sure to find the ideal look with its wide array of gorgeous colors inspired by nature. Plus, it has a fair amount of stretch, making it easy to find the right fit.

The Cordelia Ear Warmer is a budget-friendly project, ideal for shopping your very own yarn collection. Even if you want to purchase yarn, you’ll need less than a skein (see specific amounts in the pattern below).

You can choose any worsted weight yarn you like. Remember, the amount of stretch your chosen yarn has will need to be factored in if you choose to substitute.

Yarn Substitute

Maybe you have something in your stash you’d like to use but you’re not quite sure if it will work.

Use my handy free download – Yarn Substitution Worksheet – and you’ll have your answer!

You can also click here for a great resource.

The Cordelia Ear Warmer Free Pattern

General Information

Yarn

Lion Brand “Heartland” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (5oz/251yd; 142g/230m)

You’ll need the following amounts in any color you choose:

• Small – 60 yds
• Medium – 80 yds
• Large – 90 yds

Hook

US size H-8 (5mm) or size needed to meet Gauge

Tools

• Removable stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

5 GS x Rnds 2-10 in pattern = approx. 4″

Sizes/Finished Measurements

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• beg – beginning
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side
• YO – yarn over

Repeats

• ( … ) – Work everything in the parentheses in the same st or sp
• [ … ] – Repeat everything in the brackets the number of times indicated

Special Stitches

Foundation half double crochet (Fhdc) – To start the rnd, ch 2, YO, insert hook in the 2nd ch from the hook, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 1 loop (this forms the chain along the bottom), YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook (hdc made).

All other Fhdc in the rnd: YO, insert hook under both loops of the chain at the bottom of the previous st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 1 loop (this forms the chain along the bottom), YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook (hdc made).

Granny stitch (GS) – 3 dc in the same st or sp

Half double crochet in the 3rd loop (hdc 3lp) – when working on the front side of the stitches from the rnd before – YO, insert hook through the 3rd loop that sits just under and behind the top loop of the stitch, YO, pull through the 3rd loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook to complete the hdc.

Invisible join: At the end of the rnd, remove working loop from hook, insert hook from back to front through the top of the 1st st of the rnd, add working loop back onto hook and pull through to the WS, continue as instructed.

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in the same st as the loop, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook through the left vertical bar of the bottom sc, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).

Video Tutorial

Pattern Notes

1. The Cordelia Ear Warmer is written in 3 Adult Sizes. When multiple numbers are listed, they are written Small (Medium, Large).
2. Do not turn after any rnd. The RS is always facing you.
3. A “ch 1” at the beg of a rnd does not count as a st.
4. A “ch 2” or “ch 3” may be substituted for the STsc at any time if you prefer.
5. St counts are listed only when they change.
6. Heartland has a fair amount of stretch. If you use a yarn with less, you may need to choose a larger size hook to meet gauge.

Pattern Instructions

Note for Rnd 1: Keep the Fhdc loose, esp the ch at the bottom of each st. Use a larger hook if necessary.

Rnd 1 (RS): Fhdc 63 (69, 72), invisible join.

Alternate instructions for Rnd 1: Ch 63 (69, 72), join with a slip st to form ring (being careful not to twist), ch 1, hdc in the same ch and in each ch around, invisible join. < 63 (69, 72) hdc >

Rnd 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc 3lp in the same st and in each st around, join with slip st to beg st. < 63 (69, 72) hdc 3lp >

Rnd 3: Slip st in the next st, (STsc, 2 dc) in the same st (counts as the 1st GS), sk 2 sts, [GS in the next st, sk 2 sts] around, join with slip st to beg st. < 21 (23, 24) GS >

Note for Rnd 4: Each GS is worked in the sp between GS from Rnd 3, where a ch-1 sp would normally be.

Rnd 4: STsc in the sp to the right of the hook, GS in the next sp and in each sp around, ending with 2 dc in the same sp as the beg STsc to complete the 1st GS, join with slip st to beg st.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in the same st and in each st around, invisible join. < 63 (69, 72) hdc >

Rnds 6-9: Rep Rnds 2-5.

Rnd 10: Rep Rnd 2.

How to close the gap in Rnd 1

• Rotate the ear warmer so that the bottom edge is on top.
• Thread the yarn tail on a tapestry needle.
• Insert the needle under the top loop of the st on the left-hand side of the gap and pull through to the wrong side.
• Insert the needle through the center of the top loop on the right-hand side of the gap and pull through to the wrong side.
• On the wrong side of the ear warmer, weave the yarn tail in to continue to close the gap.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

---

Click here or on the image below for the printable pattern.