Snowman Headband with Ears: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Snowman Headband with Ears is the perfect quick winter project for anyone who wants something cute and cozy without a big time commitment. It's designed with beginners in mind: if you can make a single crochet and a magic ring, you can make this headband. The band is a simple flat rectangle joined into a ring, and the two little snowman heads perched on top are just stuffed circles with tiny carrot noses and round black eyes. It looks playful and sweet, feels soft and warm against the ears, and works up in an evening or two.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn — white (about 150 yds), orange (about 5 yds), black (about 5 yds)
- Hook: 4 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing the heads, stitch marker (optional)
- Finished size: Band is 20 inches circumference x 2.5 inches wide; each snowman head is about 3 inches in diameter
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sc — single crochet
- inc — increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec — decrease (work 2 stitches together into 1)
- sl st — slip stitch
- MR — magic ring (an adjustable starting loop)
- st(s) — stitch(es)
Gauge
16 stitches x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if your stitches are much larger or smaller so the band fits comfortably.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet tension even and slightly firm so the band holds its shape and doesn't stretch out of size.
- Count your stitches at the end of every round on the snowman heads — the increases and decreases must line up to keep the sphere round.
- Stuff the heads only lightly; overstuffing makes them bulge and distorts the face.
- Leave long tails on every small piece (noses and eyes) so you have plenty of yarn to sew them securely.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Band (white)
Row 1: Ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (10 sts).
Rows 2-80: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Snowman Head (make 2, white)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] around (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] around (24 sts).
Rnds 5-8: Sc in each st around (24 sts).
Rnd 9: [2 sc, dec] around (18 sts).
Rnd 10: [Sc, dec] around (12 sts). Stuff lightly.
Rnd 11: Dec around (6 sts). Fasten off and close the opening.
Nose (make 2, orange)
Row 1: Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Eyes (make 4, black)
Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into ring, sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Assembly
Sew the short ends of the band together to form a ring. Flatten the band. Sew the snowman heads onto the band, positioning them about 3 inches apart on top. Sew a nose to the center of each snowman face, then sew two eyes above each nose.
Edging (optional)
With white, sc evenly around the entire band edge. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Assembly and Finishing
Use the long band tail and a tapestry needle to whipstitch the short ends together firmly, then flatten the seam to the inside. Sew each head to the band with several passes of yarn through the base of the head and the band so it sits securely. Attach the noses and eyes with small, tight stitches, hiding the knots inside the head. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side. Lightly steam or wet-block the band flat and let it dry fully in shape; do not soak the stuffed heads.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the white yarn for a soft cream or pale blue for a frosty look.
- Add a tiny red crocheted scarf around each snowman's neck for extra holiday charm.
- Make a wider band (ch 15 instead of 11) for a chunkier ear warmer, adjusting the row count to keep the 20-inch fit.
