Crochet Earmuffs with Bows and Chin Ties

These earmuffs are soft, puffy and very easy: each ear cup is two flat circles of double crochet, stuffed and joined round the edge. A short strip of double crochet makes the headband, and long chains hang down as chin ties. A ribbed bow on each side finishes them off.

Elise made them in two videos on her lilthings channel. Part 1 is all about the flat circle, so it's a great lesson if you've never got a crochet circle to lie flat. Part 2 assembles the earmuffs.

Written from both videos.

Materials

• 5-ply milk cotton in white, pink and yellow
• 3.0 mm hook
• Stuffing
• Two ribbed bows (optional)
• A stitch marker, scissors and a darning needle

Part 1: the circles

Video tutorial by Elise on her YouTube channel, lilthings: watch "🎧🎀 crochet earmuff pt.1 | beginner friendly crochet tutorial | winter accessory" on YouTube.

Make 4 circles: an outer and an inner one for each ear. Start each round with a chain 2 (not counted) and close it with a tight slip stitch.

Each round adds 12 stitches, the rule for a flat double crochet circle. In round 4 the increase comes first, so it doesn't sit on top of round 3's: stacked increases make the circle come out as a 12-sided shape with corners. Our explainer on flat circles in double crochet goes into the maths.

Part 2: assembly

Video tutorial by Elise on her YouTube channel, lilthings: watch "🎧🎀 crochet earmuff pt. 2 | beginner friendly crochet tutorial | winter accessory" on YouTube.

Bows first

Sew or glue a bow onto the right side of two of the circles: these are the outer cups. Doing it now means all the knots end up hidden inside.

Joining the cups

Hold an outer and an inner circle wrong sides together. Put the hook through both layers and slip stitch into each stitch around. Keep these slip stitches loose: tight ones pull the edge in and the cup puckers.

Stop when 10 to 12 stitches are left. Stuff the cup evenly until it's plush, then slip stitch the rest closed.

Chin ties

Without cutting the yarn, chain 55 to 65 from the bottom of the cup. Fasten off. Do the same on the second cup.

Headband

Chain enough to arch over your head from one ear to the other, about 50 to 60 chains, plus 2. Work 2 rows of double crochet. Try the strap over your head before sewing: the cups should sit right over your ears. Then sew the ends firmly to the top of each cup.

Tips

• Same tension on all four circles. If one is bigger, the outer and inner layers won't line up when you join them.
• Stuff in small tufts. One big lump of stuffing makes a lumpy cup.
• Weave in the ring tails on the inner circles before joining: they'll be inside the cup.

Frequently asked questions