Cream Flower Ear Saver Free Crochet Pattern
Cream Flower Ear Saver Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This little ear saver is a gentle solution for anyone whose mask loops rub behind their ears all day. It's a simple sage green band that buttons behind the head, topped with a soft cream five-petal flower with a sage center for a cozy, hygge touch. Worked in single crochet with a small flower motif, it's quick enough to finish in an evening and pretty enough to wear on its own. It feels smooth and lightweight against the skin, and the button makes it easy to put on and take off without tugging at your hair.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted (4) weight acrylic-cotton blend. Sage Green (A): approx 25 yd (23 m). Cream (B): approx 12 yd (11 m).
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H/8).
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, one 0.5 in (13 mm) round button, sewing needle and thread (or use yarn to attach the button).
- Finished size: Band 7 in (18 cm) long x 1.25 in (3 cm) wide; flower 2.5 in (6.5 cm) diameter; fits head circumference 20–24 in (51–61 cm).
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- sk – skip: miss the stated number of stitches without working into them.
- sp – space: the gap made by a chain or skipped stitches.
- MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
Gauge
16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in sc and measure a 4 in (10 cm) square; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 16 across.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet tension even and fairly firm so the band stays flat and doesn't stretch out of shape when buttoned.
- Try the buttonhole row against your button before fastening off — if the button is snug, work the ch-3 space a little looser.
- Leave the 8 in tail on the flower and the 6 in tail on the center; these are your sewing threads, so don't trim them.
- Pin the flower in place before sewing so it sits centered between Rows 4 and 5, 1.5 in from the buttonhole end.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Band (Sage Green, A)
Row 1: Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across (29 sts).
Rows 2–5: Sc in each st across (29 sts).
Row 6 (buttonhole row): Sc 12, ch 3, sk 3, sc 14 (29 sts, including the ch-3 sp).
Row 7: Sc 12, 3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc 14 (29 sts).
Rows 8–9: Sc in each st across (29 sts).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Buttonhole Edge (Sage Green, A)
With A, join yarn to one short end of the band and work sc evenly along that end (5 sc). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Flower (Cream, B)
Rnd 1: MR, 5 sc into the ring, sl st to first sc (5 sts).
Rnd 2: [Ch 2, 3 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st] x5 (5 petals).
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in tail for sewing.
Flower Center (Sage Green, A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring, sl st to first sc (6 sts).
Fasten off, leaving a 6 in tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Using the 6 in sage tail, sew the A center circle to the middle of the cream B flower. Using the 8 in cream tail, sew the finished flower onto the band, centered between Rows 4 and 5 and 1.5 in (4 cm) from the buttonhole end. Sew the 0.5 in (13 mm) button to the opposite end, centered on Rows 4–5 and aligned with the buttonhole. Weave in all remaining ends. Lightly steam or block the band flat, taking care not to flatten the flower petals, and let it dry completely before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the cream flower for a color that matches your favorite mask, or make several flowers and change them out with a small safety pin.
- For a wider band, add two extra plain sc rows before the buttonhole row and adjust the button placement to match.
- Use a cotton-blend yarn for easy washing, and sew the button on with matching thread for extra durability.
