Looking for a free knitting pattern for ear warmers that is warm, practical, and still pretty enough to enjoy wearing? This Cedar Headband is a free headband knitting pattern with a sweet evergreen texture, simple construction, and three useful sizes for kids, teens, and adults.
A good ear warmer is one of those knitting projects that solves a very real problem: you want your ears covered, but you do not always want the bulk of a full hat. This free knitting pattern for ear warmers gives you a cozy little layer that works for chilly walks, messy hair days, quick errands, and handmade gifts. It is knit in the round, uses worsted weight yarn, and has just enough texture to keep the knitting interesting without making the project feel complicated.
The Cedar Headband is a great pattern when you want something quick, useful, and giftable. It has that sweet winter accessory feel without taking over your whole week.
I love projects like this because they are easy to grab when you want a satisfying cast on but do not want a huge commitment. You still get pretty stitch detail, a finished piece you can actually use, and a pattern that works well for several sizes.
What yarn and needles do you need for this free knitting pattern for ear warmers?
For this free knitting pattern for ear warmers, you will need 50-80 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Berroco Vintage, which is one of my favorite everyday yarns because it is soft, washable, durable, and easy to care for.
You will also need size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles or a circular needle, a yarn needle, and a stitch marker. The gauge is 20 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette, which works well for creating a warm but comfortable fabric.
Berroco Vintage is a great choice for this pattern because it gives nice stitch definition for the evergreen texture. It also has enough stretch to make the headband comfortable while still helping it hold its shape.
If you are using yarn from your stash, look for a worsted weight yarn that feels soft against the skin. Since this headband sits around your ears and forehead, comfort matters just as much as stitch definition.
The finished headband comes in three sizes: child, small adult, and large adult. That makes it a useful pattern for gift knitting, especially when you want something quick but still thoughtful.
How do you knit this ear warmer headband?
This ear warmer headband is knit in the round, which means there is no seaming at the end. You will cast on the correct number of stitches for your chosen size, join in the round, work a little ribbing, knit the evergreen stitch pattern, and then finish with more ribbing.
The texture is created with knits, purls, increases, and a vertical double decrease. It gives the headband a pretty evergreen design while still keeping the project rhythmic once you get going.
Because this free knitted ear warmer pattern is worked in the round, the stitch pattern wraps all the way around the headband. That makes the finished piece look polished from every angle, which I always love in a handmade accessory.
A slightly stretchy cast on is helpful for this project so the edge feels comfortable when worn. You will also want to bind off loosely in pattern so the finished headband has enough stretch to go on easily.
If you want a wider ear warmer, you can add a little extra ribbing before and after the textured section. Just keep in mind that adding width may require a bit more yarn.
What other free headband knitting patterns should you try next?
If you love quick accessories, you may also enjoy these free headband and ear warmer knitting patterns:
These patterns are great if you like small knitting projects that are easy to finish and simple to gift. Headbands are also a fun way to try new textures without committing to a full sweater, scarf, or blanket.
The Cedar Headband is especially nice if you want a free knitting pattern for ear warmers with a little bit of nature-inspired texture. It is practical enough for everyday wear but still has enough stitch detail to make it feel special.
Whether you are knitting one for yourself, making a quick gift, or using up a partial skein of worsted weight yarn, this is a lovely little project to keep on your list.
Cedar Headband Free Pattern
Materials Needed: Approximately 50–80 yards of worsted-weight yarn; US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles or a circular needle suitable for working small circumferences in the round; a stitch marker; and a yarn needle. Sample knit in Berroco Vintage (218 yards/100 g).
Gauge: 20 sts/28 rows = 4 in (10 cm).
Sizes (appx head circumference) [appx finished measurements laid flat]:
Sizes: Child, Small Adult, Large Adult
Intended wearer head circumference:
Child: 18 in (46 cm).
Small Adult: 20 in (51 cm).
Large Adult: 22 in (56 cm).
Choose the size using the wearer’s head circumference.
STITCH CHART
Round 1 – [k1, m1r, k4, vdd, k4, m1l] around
Round 2 – [k1, p5, k1, p5] around
Round 3 – [k1, p5, k1, p5] around
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2, m1r, k3, vdd, k3, m1l, k1] around
Round 6 – [k2, p4, k1, p4, k1] around
Round 7 – [k2, p4, k1, p4, k1] around
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k3, m1r, k2, vdd, k2, m1l, k2] around
Round 10 – [k3, p3, k1, p3, k2] around
Round 11 – [k3, p3, k1, p3, k2] around
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k4, m1r, k1, vdd, k1, m1l, k3] around
Round 14 – [k4, p2, k1, p2, k3] around
Round 15 – [k4, p2, k1, p2, k3] around
Round 16 – knit around
Round 17 – [k5, m1r, vdd, m1l, k4] around
Round 18 – [k5, p1, k1, p1, k4] around
Round 19 – [k5, p1, k1, p1, k4] around
Round 20 – knit around
Cedar Stitch is worked over a multiple of 12 sts. Read every chart round from right to left and work rounds from bottom to top. Repeat the complete chart across each round.
Work Rounds 1–20 once for this headband.
Each increase round contains two make-one increases and one vertical double decrease. These balance each other, so the stitch count remains unchanged.
CEDAR HEADBAND
Cast on 84, 96, 108 sts. Join in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Place a beginning-of-round marker.
Work in 1×1 ribbing (*k1, p1; repeat from * around) for ¾, 1, 1 in / 2, 2.5, 2.5 cm.
Knit 1 round.
Work Cedar Stitch Rounds 1–20 once, repeating the 12-stitch sequence 7, 8, 9 times around each round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for ¾, 1, 1 in / 2, 2.5, 2.5 cm.
Bind off loosely in pattern, keeping the edge stretchy. Weave in the ends and block as appropriate for the yarn.
Stitch Key:
k – knit
m1l – Lift the strand between stitches from front to back and knit through its back loop. 1 stitch increased.
m1r – Lift the strand between stitches from back to front and knit through its front loop. 1 stitch increased.
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
vdd – Vertical double decrease: Slip the next 2 stitches together knitwise, knit the next stitch, then pass both slipped stitches together over the knitted stitch. 2 stitches decreased.
Have you made a knitted ear warmer before, or are you casting on your first one with the Cedar Headband? Leave a comment below and let me know what color you would choose for yours.
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