Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer, free pattern

Build on your Tunisian crochet skills when you make the Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer, a FREE Tunisian crochet pattern from TL Yarn Crafts x JOANN!

I love a crochet hat just as much as the next person. Some of my favorite TLYC patterns are beanies (see the Mega Pom Beanie and the Bubble Wrap Slouch). But, for a gal with big, curly hair like myself, beanies just won’t do when the weather gets cold. Instead, I opt for headbands and earmuffs. This year, I made the ultimate cold-weather accessory – the Braided Tunisian Earwarmer, designed in collaboration with JOANN using Red Heart Heat Wave, a sunlight activated heat-generating yarn. Now you can be super cute and super warm at the same time!

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Find a printer friendly, ad-free PDF version of the Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer in my Ravelry shop and on TLYarnCrafts.com. The PDF version includes a full-color, 6-page instructions with helpful photo tutorial and video links.

Keep scrolling for the FREE version of this pattern & the tutorial video!

My inspiration for the Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer came from my personal desire to keep my ears warm in the winter without flattening my curly hair. The Mega Pom Beanie is my first published design and, by far, my favorite hat pattern. But, I’ll be honest, I’ve never actually worn one. My massive curly hair is just too unruly to get tucked under a hat. The Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer solves the issue of keeping me warm while maintaining my hairdo. 

To really elevate the cozy factor, I designed this project with Heat Wave, a new yarn from Red Heart available at local JOANN stores. According to the label, Heat Wave can generate up to 12 extra degrees of warmth. Acrylic yarn is plied with a patented fiber that absorbs energy from the sun to turn it into heat. When the real midwest winter starts to set in, I’m sure I’ll be thankful for those extra 12 degrees. 

I can think of plenty of reasons a heat-generating ear warmer might be useful. Say you’re at an all-day football game in the dead of December, or walking the dog in the wee hours of the morning, or even ice skating with friends. The fall-ready color palette of Heat Wave will ensure you’re cozy and chic all winter long.

I have to give a lot of credit to my pattern testers for helping to perfect this pattern. They did a great job of ensuring this pattern is helpful for crocheters of every skill level. See their samples below and check them out on Instagram! Want to pattern test for TL Yarn Crafts? Apply here!

TOP ROW: Capital Crochet | TheSkeiniac | Cosmic_Crochet_Creations | Sarahstwists | By.Stephanie.Erin

BOTTOM ROW: SunnyTheChampp | AlitaDanette | Montana.Crochet | CarriePerlf | KnotBadBritt

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Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer Details

MATERIALS:

• 1 ball Red Heart Heat Wave Yarn (sample made in the color Sandy Shores
• 6.5mm crochet hook (you DO NOT need a Tunisian crochet hook for this project)
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Tapestry needle
• 7 locking stitch markers
• Clipboard (optional)
• Blocking supplies (optional)

FINISHED SIZE:

Sized for average adult head, about 20″-22″ around

ABBREVIATIONS:

• Ch(s) = chain(s)
• Rep = repeat
• RetP = return pass
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Tss = Tunisian simple stitch
• Yo = yarn over

NOTES:

• Yarn is held double throughout pattern.
• Pattern rows are Forward Pass instructions.
• Return Pass (abbreviated RetP): Follow the foundation row and each subsequent row with the Return Pass.
  • Return Pass Instructions: Ch 1, *yo, pull through two loops; rep from * until 1 loop remains on hook.
• Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Tunisian Crochet [tutorial video]

Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer Pattern

More of a Visual learner? Watch the step-by-step tutorial video here:

Setup

FOUNDATION: Holding yarn double throughout, ch 16, pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2^nd ch from hook and each ch across. (16 foundation sts)

ROWS 1-2: Tss across row.

Strip 1

ROW 1: Tss 4 (including st already on hook), leave remaining sts unworked – Figure 1. (4 Tss)

ROW 2: Tss across row. (4 tss)

Rep Row 2 until Strip 1 measures 25.5” from beginning of Foundation to Working Row when slightly stretch flat. Make a note of how many rows it takes to achieve 25.5”. Drop hook. Secure live loop with a stitch marker. Cut yarn.

Strip 2

ROW 1: Pull up a loop in the next 4 unworked sts from Row 3 of Setup. – Figure 2.

ROW 2: Tss across row.

Rep Row 2 until Strip 2 has the same number of rows as Strip 1. Drop hook. Secure live loop with a stitch marker. Cut yarn.

Strips 3 & 4

Repeat instructions from Strip 2 – Figures 3 and 4.

This is a great time to weave in your ends.

Braiding

OPTIONAL STEP: Strips will braid better if they are relaxed. If your strips are curly, pin them and lightly steam with a steamer or steam iron. Do not braid until they are fully dry.

STEP 1: Secure the Setup rows to a clipboard or otherwise hold them down.

STEP 2: Using Figures 5-7, braid your ear warmer in the following sequence:

-1 over 2

-3 over 4

-4 over 1

After the sequence, numbers reset to 1, 2, 3, and 4 from left to right.

STEP 3: Repeat the sequence in Step 2 as many times as you can. Massage the braid to keep the strips flat and prevent gaps within the braid.

STEP 4: When braiding is complete, use stitch markers to hold strips together in the correct order – Figure 8.

STEP 5: Remove the ear warmer from the clipboard. Position to begin crocheting along the ends of your strips.

Remaining Rows

ROW 1: Remove marker from live loop on the furthest right strip. Place loop on hook. Holding yarn double from the ball (not from the tails), pull up a loop in three remaining sts on strip. (Remove marker from next strip, place live loop on hook, pull up a loop in remaining 3 sts on strip) 3 times. (16 sts)

ROW 2: Tss across row.

This is an excellent place to stop and try on your ear warmer. If it is too short, complete additional rows of Tss. If it is too long, take out a row of Tss.

Finishing

STEP 1: Complete slip stitch bind off loosely.

STEP 2: With right side facing, bring ends of ear warmer together and join with a mattress seam or a whip stitch seam.

STEP 3: Weave in all remaining ends.

STEP 4: Steam block lightly if desired.

PURCHASE THE PRINTABLE BRAIDED TUNISIAN EAR WARMER HERE!

And that’s it! Your Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer is complete. If you enjoyed this project, don’t forget to share with friends! Use #TLYCMakers on Instagram and brag a little in the TLYC Makers Facebook Group!

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