Fitted Ear Warmer Headband with Optional Tie-On Flower

I designed this headband to be a little narrower towards the top so that the headband has a nicer fit. I had come up with this type of uneven ribbing when I was designing my Dotted Blocks Open Top Hat because I wanted to make the hat curve inward towards the top for a snug fit. I adjusted the spacing of the wider part of those ribbing rows to work with this ear warmer headband.

The flower shown in the photo is optional. The instructions for that tie-on flower are given at the end of this pattern.

This headband could be worn by itself or combined with a winter hat, worn over a snug fitting hat for extra warmth in very cold temperatures.

Abbreviations: ch = chain, ea = each, hdc = half double crochet, sc = single crochet, st = stitch, sts = stitches

Materials: about 1 oz. any worsted weight yarn, US size H hook. I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in the example. Gauge is not important for this project as the finished size is determined by the number of rows crocheted.

Special Stitches: half double crochet - hdc how-to
hdc Text Instructions: Yarn over hook, insert hook in the next stitch to be worked, yarn over hook, pull yarn through stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook (one half double crochet made).
Back Loop Only - Instructions link, with photos: back loop how-to

Pattern Note: You will turn at the end of each row. The rows are wider at the bottom on every fourth row in order to have a snugger fit at the top of the headband. Please keep my copyright and terms of use statement with the pattern directions when you print out or save the pattern in any form.
Starting Chain: ch 20.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (19 sc)
Rows 2 and 3: ch 1, sc in back loop of ea sc across. (19 sc)
Row 4: ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in back loop of second sc, hdc in back loop of ea of next 7 sc, sc in back loop of ea of next 10 sc.
Rows 5 - 7: ch 1, sc in back loop of ea st across. (19 sc)
Additional Rows: Repeat Rows 4 - 7, as many times as needed. For a child size headband, do a total of about 60 rows. For a headband in an adult size do a total of about 65 rows. When you are close to the finished size, try the headband piece around the head of the person who will be wearing it and adjust for the proper size by adding more rows (or pulling some rows out, if needed).
Joining: Holding the short ends together (with the wrong side facing outward), slip stitch across the ends, to join, working each slip stitch through one loop of the last row made and, at the same time, working through a loop of the corresponding stitch on the other short end.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure. Turn right side out.

Copyright, Terms of Use: Pattern and pattern photo copyright 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not distribute reproduced copies, in any form, even for free, and do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. Instead, you may give out the URL of this pattern page, for others to come here for themselves. It makes a world of difference to me, in helping to enable me to continue designing new patterns. Thank you. Pattern is free for your own personal use only (not-for-profit, noncommercial use of the pattern directions and of finished items made from this pattern). Personal use only means that you can make items from this pattern as many times as you wish for yourself or for gifts (such as giving the finished items to friends, family or charities) ... but you may not sell items made from this pattern (selling would be a commercial use of the pattern).

Optional Tie-On Flower
This flower is based on an antique flower pattern. I adjusted the pattern and changed it to have ties so that it can be added to the headband easily and is removable.
Starting Chain: ch 5, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: ch 5 (counts as first dc and a ch-2), (dc in ring, ch 2) 5 times, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-5.
Rnd 2: sl st in next ch-2 sp, (sc, 2 dc, sc) in same ch-2 sp, * sl st in next ch-2 sp, (sc, 2 dc, sc) in same ch-2 sp **, repeat the directions between * and ** once then sl st in next dc, ch 10 for tie, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in ea of next 8 chs, then repeat the directions between * and ** 3 times, then sl st in next dc, ch 10 for tie, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in ea of next 8 chs, sl st in next st. End off, weave in ends.
Attaching Flower to Headband: Position flower on headband in the spot where you want it. Push one tie through the headband row nearest to the flower (threading through from the front to the back) then push the same tie back through to the front by bringing the tie up through the center of the flower in the opening nearest to where that tie was made on the flower. Thread the other tie through the headband in the same manner then tie the two ties together in a double knot to secure.