How to Crochet a Bow Headband (Beginner Ear Warmer)

Set out one skein of worsted-weight yarn (around 218 yards is plenty), a 5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, scissors, and a measuring tape. Veronika uses a soft worsted-weight wool, but any worsted yarn works - cotton-acrylic blends are nice for spring and pure wool wears warmer for winter.

Measure the head you are making this for. A standard adult is about 20.5 inches around. For kids, drop to 18-19 inches. You will crochet the band about 1.5 inches shorter than your measurement so it sits snug without slipping. Skim our essential crochet supplies guide if you are still building out your kit.

Make a slip knot and slide it onto your hook. Snug it down so it sits firm against the hook but still slides. Then chain 21. Pull each loop with even tension - if your chains are too tight, the first row will fight you when you try to work into the back bumps.

This count of 21 gives the headband its width once the textured pattern is set. If you want a wider band, add 9 chains at a time so the stitch pattern still lines up. Our foundation chain tutorial walks through the back-bump technique that gives this band its clean lower edge.

Work into the back bumps of the chain. Skip the first three chains (those three count as your first double crochet) and double crochet into the fourth chain from the hook. Work eight more double crochets so you have nine total along the first half. In the next chain, work a double crochet, chain 2, then a double crochet in the same chain. That double-crochet, chain-2, double-crochet group is the center V of the chevron.

Now double crochet into each remaining chain across to the end. You should finish with the chevron taking shape and the same number of stitches on each side of the center V. New to double crochet? Watch our how to double crochet tutorial first.

Turn your work. Start with a standing double crochet into the first stitch, then work two regular double crochets into the next two stitches. Yarn over and work a half double crochet around the posts of those last two double crochets - this is the wrap that gives the fabric its quilted texture. Pull through all three loops on your hook to close.

Skip the next stitch, work two more double crochets, and wrap them with another post half double crochet. Repeat that rhythm up to the center, work dc-ch2-dc in the chain-2 space, then mirror the pattern back down the other side. Finish with a double crochet into the top of the beginning chain from the previous row. If half double crochet still feels unfamiliar, our half double crochet guide is a quick refresher.

Row 3 keeps your stitch count steady by tucking a double crochet 3 together at each end. Turn your work. Chain 2 - this counts as the first leg of the dc3tog. Yarn over, insert into the next stitch, pull through, yarn over, pull through two, and leave that loop on your hook. Repeat into the next stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three.

Double crochet across to the center, work dc-ch2-dc in the chain space, then double crochet across until you have three stitches left. Finish with another dc3tog over those last three stitches. Want a deeper dive? See our how to decrease in crochet tutorial.

Alternate Row 2 and Row 3 over and over until the band wraps around the head with the short ends just touching. Stretch the fabric a little as you measure - crochet relaxes a bit once it is worn, so you want it taut at rest. For a 20.5-inch adult head, expect roughly 22 to 26 rows depending on how snug you like your headbands.

Finish on a Row 3 so both short ends have the clean dc3tog edge. Cut your yarn, leaving a 30-inch tail - you will need it for the seam and the bow. Fasten off cleanly with our fasten off tutorial.

Turn the strip into a loop. Fold it so the right sides face each other - Row 1 (the chevron side) is the right side - and line up the two short ends. Thread your long tail onto a yarn needle.

Join with the mattress stitch by going from inside to outside on one edge, then crossing to the other edge and going inside to outside again. Keep alternating, like lacing a shoelace. For a flat seam (option 1), keep even tension as you go. For a ruffled headband (option 2), pull the yarn tail tighter as you stitch so the fabric gathers in the middle. The center will scrunch into a soft cinch that you wear toward the front.

For the full bow finish (option 3), take the long yarn tail that is still attached at the seam and wrap it tightly around the gathered middle five or six times. Pull each wrap snug so the bow shape stays defined. Tie the two yarn tails together on the back side with a firm double knot.

Thread each remaining tail onto your needle and weave the ends into the wrong side of the fabric, going through several stitches in different directions so they lock in place. Trim what is left. Done. Try it on. For a polished finish on every project you make from here, bookmark our how to weave in ends guide. If you are hungry for the next quick wearable, our crochet fingerless gloves use the same skein, same hook, and the same evening.

Want more 1-skein crochet ideas? Browse our easy crochet projects for beginners roundup.