Free Modern Knitting Pattern - Zephyr Earwarmer
Pattern Inspiration:
The word Zephyr means a gentle breeze, and I wanted to make a piece that is a reminder to slow down and take a break in the everyday. I recently took a trip to Tasmania, and I was awed by the slower lifestyle. It was freeing to breathe the fresh air, take walks through stunning landscapes and see the abundant wildlife. I wanted to take a little piece of this home with me, and so knitted this earwarmer as a reminder (it also got lots of wear on the trip as it got as low as 4C 😂). I hope that my pattern can also help you to take a break and enjoy moments of tranquility throughout your day!
About the Yarn
I absolutely love fluffy, warm knits, and so Caron Latte Cakes has been one of my favourite yarns for a long time. The yarn is a bulky weight blend of 58% acrylic, 42% nylon and comes in a generous 250g ball. I used a self striping colour called Earl Grey, but they also have solid colourways.
For the pink sample, I used Moda Vera Starlight, a sparkly DK weight blend of 95% acrylic and 5% nylon. This yarn has been discontinued, but you can find substitutions here. This pattern is written for the gauge achieved with the bulky weight yarn, but read the customisable directions to use different yarn weights.
Sizing
This earwarmer comes in 7 sizes (yes 7!), from preemie to adult L with head circumferences 25-55cms. This earwarmer is so cosy I wanted there to be a size for every member of the family to have one! Its also great for selling at markets to have multiple sizes to suit everyone’s unique needs.
Construction
This design is a bulky weight fluffy earwarmer. It is worked flat shortways in a plush, textured knit stitch. The earwarmer is all in one piece and rectangular with absolutely zero shaping - perfect for TV knitting! After binding off, the ends are sewn together to give the appearance of a knot. It looks complicated but its actually very simple, and I have a video tutorial that teaches you exactly how to do it (scroll down)!
Customisation
Don’t love fluffy yarn? No worries! This headband would also look great in a Bulky weight merino or acrylic. This provides more stitch definition and highlights the brioche rib and knot. You could also make the earwarmer thicker or thinner by adding or taking away stitches. For my gauge, 3 sts=2cms
Gauge
15 sts & 17 rows in 10cms/4” in Brioche Stitch (see special stitches)
Special Stitches: Brioche Stitch
Brioche Stitch:
Row 1: sl first st, [yf, sl 1, yo, k1] to end
Row 2: sl first st, k1, [yf, sl 1, yo, k1] to last st, p1
Rep rows 1 & 2 for pattern
Measurements
Size: preemie (newborn, toddler, child) (adult S, adult M, adult L)
Head circumference: 25 (30, 35, 40) (45, 50, 55) cms
To be worn with 5cms negative ease
Earwarmer Width: 4 (6, 8, 10) (12, 14, 16) cms
Materials
Bulky weight yarn, sample is made in Caron Latte Cakes
12 (16, 20, 27) (34, 38, 42) g
25 (32, 38, 52) (66, 73, 81) m
6mm needles
Abbreviations
B.O. - Bind off
C.O. - cast on
k - knit
sl 1 - slip 1
yf - yarn forward
yo - yarn over
Pattern Notes
I recommend that you highlight your size before starting to ensure that you don’t get confused
The main directions are for bulky weight yarn, if you achieve the same gauge as me. The customisable directions are for changing the gauge.
Directions
C.O. 7 (9, 11, 15) (19, 21, 23) sts
Work in brioche stitch (see special stitches) for 42 (50, 60, 68) (76, 85, 94) rows
B.O.
Customisable directions
If you would like to use different yarn weight such as the DK which I used for the toddler sample, use these directions.
Measure your gauge swatch. (eg my gauge could be 18sts by 21 rows in 10cms)
Multiply your gauge by the earwarmer width and then by 0.1, round to nearest odd number (eg 18x6x.1=11)
Work in brioche stitch until piece measures 25 (30, 35, 40) (45, 50, 55) cms
Bind off and proceed to finishing
Finishing
Seam the cast on edge to bind off edge using the knot technique. Tuck all ends. See tutorial here.
Want to Watch the Video Tutorial? Check it out here.
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