Knitted Headbands & Ear Warmers

Folk Garden Tie-Back Ear Warmer: Free Knit Pattern

ModelSpecsHub: Gauge Guides, Pattern Specs & Sizing Essentials • November 04, 2026

Introduction

This folk-art ear warmer is a gentle first step into shaping, color changes, and appliqué for newer knitters, and a quick, satisfying weekend knit for anyone with a little experience. It is worked in soft, airy garter stitch with lace-weight mohair-silk held double, so it feels light as a cloud while still keeping your ears cozy. A moss green band tapers into two narrow tie sections and widens again at the front, where a single lichen green stripe crosses the center. A knitted flower with a dark olive center and two little leaves are sewn onto the wide front for a handcrafted, desert-boho touch. Tied at the back, it adjusts to fit almost any head comfortably.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Lace weight mohair-silk blend (70% mohair, 30% silk; approx 420 yds/50g per skein), held double throughout.
- Color A (moss green): 1 skein (approx 50 yds used)
- Color B (lichen green): 1 skein (approx 20 yds used)
- Color C (dark olive): small amount (approx 2 yds) for the flower center
Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) straight or circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and appliqué, stitch markers (optional), scissors
Finished size: Band is 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide at the widest point, tapering to 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the ties. Length end to end is 36 inches (91.5 cm) including ties, fitting a head circumference of 21–23 inches (53–58.5 cm) with an adjustable tie. Flower is approx 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) across; each leaf is approx 2 inches (5 cm) long.

Abbreviations

CO: cast on — create the starting stitches on your needle
BO: bind off — finish the stitches so they don't unravel
st(s): stitch(es)
K: knit stitch
k2tog: knit two stitches together — a right-leaning decrease (one stitch fewer)
ssk: slip, slip, knit — slip two stitches one at a time knitwise, then knit them together through the back loops; a left-leaning decrease
M1L: make one left — lift the bar between stitches from front to back and knit it through the back loop (one stitch added)
M1R: make one right — lift the bar between stitches from back to front and knit it through the front loop (one stitch added)
garter st: garter stitch — knit every row, giving a ridged texture
Rep: repeat

Gauge

16 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch with yarn held double, after blocking. Knit a small swatch, block it, and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a needle size, and if fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

Hold two strands of the same color together from one skein (pull from both the center and the outside) so the fabric stays light and fuzzy without splitting your yarn into separate balls.
Garter stitch curls less than stockinette, but the mohair-silk will bloom after blocking — block before seaming the ties so your measurements are accurate.
Keep your edge stitches tidy: always work the first and last stitch of every row as a plain knit, and give the yarn a gentle tug on the first stitch to avoid loose edges.
When changing colors, leave a 6-inch tail and weave it in later; mohair grips itself, so no special joining technique is needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Band (worked flat, Color A held double)

CO 14 sts.

Rows 1–4: Knit (14 sts).

Row 5: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (12 sts).

Row 6: Knit (12 sts).

Rows 7–12: Repeat Rows 5–6 three more times (6 sts).

Rows 13–36: Knit every row (6 sts).

Row 37: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (8 sts).

Row 38: Knit (8 sts).

Rows 39–42: Repeat Rows 37–38 two more times (12 sts).

Rows 43–62: Knit every row in Color A (12 sts).

Rows 63–70: Change to Color B and knit every row (12 sts).

Rows 71–90: Change back to Color A and knit every row (12 sts).

Row 91: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (10 sts).

Row 92: Knit (10 sts).

Rows 93–96: Repeat Rows 91–92 two more times (6 sts).

Rows 97–120: Knit every row (6 sts).

Row 121: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (8 sts).

Row 122: Knit (8 sts).

Rows 123–126: Repeat Rows 121–122 two more times (12 sts).

Rows 127–130: Knit every row (12 sts).

BO all sts loosely.

Ties (make 2, Color A held double)

CO 6 sts.

Rows 1–40: Knit every row (6 sts).

BO all sts loosely.

Flower (Color B held double)

CO 6 sts.

Row 1: Knit (6 sts).

Row 2: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (8 sts).

Row 3: Knit (8 sts).

Rows 4–7: Repeat Rows 2–3 two more times (12 sts).

Rows 8–11: Knit every row (12 sts).

Row 12: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (10 sts).

Row 13: Knit (10 sts).

Rows 14–17: Repeat Rows 12–13 two more times (6 sts).

BO all sts.

Finishing the flower: Sew the cast-on and bind-off edges together to form a ring. Thread a tapestry needle with Color B and run a running stitch around the center opening; pull tight to gather into a flower shape and secure. With Color C, work a few straight stitches across the center for the flower middle.

Leaf (make 2, Color B held double)

CO 3 sts.

Row 1: Knit (3 sts).

Row 2: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (5 sts).

Row 3: Knit (5 sts).

Row 4: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1 (7 sts).

Rows 5–8: Knit every row (7 sts).

Row 9: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (5 sts).

Row 10: Knit (5 sts).

Row 11: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (3 sts).

BO all sts.

Assembly and Finishing

Block the band, ties, flower, and leaves lightly by misting with water and pinning to shape; let dry completely. Sew one tie to each end of the band, aligning the 6-stitch width of the tie with the 6-stitch end of the band, using a flat seam so the join lies smooth. Arrange the flower and two leaves on the wide front section of the band (the center 12-stitch area) and pin in place. Sew the appliqués securely with matching yarn, catching the flower center and each leaf tip. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, splitting the mohair tails slightly so they grip and stay hidden.

Pro Tips and Variations

Color play: Swap the lichen stripe for a dusty rose or terracotta to change the mood, or work the flower in Color A for a tone-on-tone look.
Adjustable fit: Add or remove rows from the 40-row ties to lengthen or shorten the finished piece for a looser or snugger tie.
Extra charm: Make a third leaf or a small knitted bud in Color C and cluster it beside the flower for a fuller folk-garden motif.

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