The Ear Cozy

Hi friends/fans/fellow stitchers!

This is my first attempt at writing a pattern. I'm posting it here for free on the condition that all those who try it out give me some tips for improvement and point out any unclear or poorly written parts! So here we go... The Ear Cozy!!!

Supplies:

-About half of a 170 yard net worsted weight yarn (I'm using Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Sapphire)

-Crochet hook size I (for medium-large), size H (for X small-small)

-1 cotton ball

- one tapestry needle

Foundation Row: Chain 55.

Front half

Row 1: Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain till end (54 single crochet). Chain 1, and turn.

Row 2: Single crochet in second stitch from hook (the first single crochet) and in each single crochet till end (54 single crochet). Chain 1, and turn.

Row 3-4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: Slip stitch into each of the first 4 single crochet, chain 1, single crochet into next single crochet and into next 45 single crochet, slip stitch into next single crochet, turn, leaving last 3 stitches unworked. (4 slip stitches, 46 single crochet, slip stitch.)

Row 6: Slip stitch into each of the first 4 single crochet, chain 1. Single crochet into each of next 38 single crochet. Slip stitch into next single crochet, turn, leaving last 3 stitches unworked. (4 slip stitches, 38 single crochet, slip stitch.)

Row 7: Slip stitch into each of the first 4 single crochet, chain 1. Single crochet into each of next 30 single crochet. Slip stitch into next single crochet, turn, leaving last 3 stitches unworked. (4 slip stitches, 30 single crochet, slip stitch.)

Row 8: Slip stitch into each of the first 4 single crochet, chain 1. Single crochet into each of next 22 single crochet. Slip stitch into next single crochet, turn, leaving last 3 stitches unworked. (4 slip stitches, 22 single crochet, slip stitch.)

Row 9: Slip stitch into each of the first 4 single crochet, chain 1. Single crochet into each of next 14 single crochet. Slip stitch into next single crochet, turn, leaving last 3 stitches unworked. (4 slip stitches, 14 single crochet, slip stitch.)

Congratulations! You are finished with the first side! Cut your yarn and tie off!

Back half

The back half of the headband begins with Row 1 of the front half (54 single crochet across) worked into the back loops of your original foundation row (the chain 55 row).

Row 1: Single crochet into opposite end of the first chain of your foundation row, and single crochet into each chain until end. Chain 1 and turn. (54 single crochet.)

Row 2-9: Rows 2 -9 for the back half are the same as rows 2-9 of the front half!

OK! Almost done!!! Just need to clean it up a little!

Finishing and attachment

You will notice that the front side of your ear cozy may look different than your back side. The back side (or wrong side) will have a clear indent line where front half and back half have joined. Turn that side down on the table so the smoother side (right side) is facing up at you.

Make a single crochet border starting at the upper right corner when the ear cozy is laying with wrong side down. Single crochet into first single crochet and into each single crochet up and around the edge to the upper left corner. (Approximately 54 single crochet.) Chain 1 and turn ear cozy 90 degrees so that it is vertical.

A helpful stitch for this next section is being able to decrease (single crochet 2 together). This is done by inserting needle through single crochet space going front to back, wrap yarn around, pull through (2 loops on hook), insert hook through next single crochet space going front to back, wrap yarn around, pull through (3 loops on hook). Wrap yarn around and pull through the 3 loops on hook. You have just single crocheted 2 together!

Bobble End:

Row 1: Single crochet across vertical end of ear cozy. (8 single crochet.) Chain 1, turn.

Row 2: Repeat row 1. (8 single crochet.)

Row 3: *Single crochet 2 together (decrease made). Repeat from * 3 more times. (4 single crochet 2 together's.) Chain 1, turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 1. (4 single crochet.)

Row 5: *Single crochet 2 together (decrease made). Repeat once more from *. (2 single crochet together's.) Chain 1, turn.

Row 6: Repeat row 1. (2 single crochet.)

Row 7: Single crochet 2 together (decrease made). Do NOT tie off.

Making the bobble:

Row 1 : After just finishing Row 7 of the Bobble End, chain 3. Slip stitch into the Single crochet 2 together from row 7 (loop made). Chain 1.

Row 2: 6 single crochet into the loop space from the chain 3. 1 single crochet into single crochet 2 together from row 7. Join to the first single crochet of this row with slip stitch. Chain 1.

Row 3: 2 single crochet into first single crochet (increase made) and into each single crochet around. (14 single crochet.) Join with slip stitch. Chain 1.

Row 4: Single crochet into each single crochet around. (14 single crochet.) Join with slip stitch. Chain 1. Place cotton ball into the little cup you have made for it.

Row 5: *Single crochet 2 together. Repeat from * 6 more times. (7 Single crochet 2 together's.) Join with slip stitch. Chain 1.

Row 6: *Single crochet 2 together. Repeat from * 2 more times. (3 single crochet 2 together's). Close the hole around the cotton ball with a slip stitch, cut yarn and tie off.

Now, single crochet a border up and around the end that does not yet have a border, starting at the bobble end. (Approximately 54 single crochet.) Chain 1 and turn ear cozy 90 degrees so that it is vertical (getting ready to work the opposite end from the bobble end).

Bobble Hole End:

Rows 1-4 are the same as Rows 1-4 on Bobble End.

Chain 8. Slip stitch end of chain 8 into opposite end of row making a very large loop - the hole for the bobble on the opposite end. Cut yarn and tie off.

Weave in any and all loose ends with hook or tapestry needle!

The Flower - that extra awesomeness!

Chain 4. Join with slip stitch.

Foundation Row 1: Chain 2. 10 double crochet into the center of the chain 4 loop.

Row 1: *Chain 2. 5 double crochet into first double crochet space. Slip stitch into next double crochet space (first petal made). Repeat from * 4 more times for a total of 5 petals.

Foundation Row 2: * Chain 3. Slip stitch to 3rd double crochet of next petal. Repeat from * 4 more times.

Row 2: *Chain 2. 6 double crochet into the space made by the chain 3 of foundation row. Slip stitch into slip stitch of foundation row (petal made). Repeat from *4 more times.

And Ta DA! You have a flower. You can either cut/tie-off/weave in ends/and sew onto head band now... or you could add another row or two of petals by increasing the number of chains in the foundation rows and then increasing the number of double crochet for the petals.

As a side note- other fun flower patterns can be found in the book Crochet Bouquet by Suzann Thompson.

Ok! Try it out! And give me suggestions! Stitch away!