Knit Heart Pocket Ear Warmer Free Pattern

Introduction

This knit heart pocket ear warmer is the perfect little project for anyone who wants something soft, quick, and just a touch Parisian. Worked in a fluffy mohair-silk blend held double, the wide garter-stitch band feels airy and warm against the ears without any bulk. The pastel pink band is finished with a tiny pastel mint heart pocket at the front center — a subtle, sweet detail that makes it feel handmade in the best way. It is an advanced-beginner friendly pattern, and because it is knitted flat and seamed, you only need straight needles and two simple skills: knit and a few increases and decreases.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lace weight mohair-silk blend (70% mohair, 30% silk), held double throughout. Approximately 110 yards total.
• Color A (main band): 80 yards pastel pink.
• Color B (heart pocket): 30 yards pastel mint.
• Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) straight needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), pins for seaming, scissors.
• Finished size: Band is 20 inches circumference x 3.5 inches wide (unstretched). Heart pocket is 2.5 inches wide x 2.5 inches tall.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on — create the starting stitches on your needle.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• k: knit stitch.
• kfb: knit front and back — knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch to increase by one.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit — slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loops to decrease by one (leans left).
• k2tog: knit two stitches together to decrease by one (leans right).
• BO: bind off.
• garter st: garter stitch — knit every row, which creates horizontal ridges.

Gauge

16 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch, blocked. 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 you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Hold the mohair-silk double from a single ball or two ends of the same ball so the band stays fluffy and even.
• Garter stitch stretches, so knit the band to the full 20 inches and block it before seaming — it will relax slightly in wear.
• Keep your tension loose on the heart's increases and decreases; fuzzy yarn hides small imperfections, but tight stitches make the heart point curl.
• Pin the heart in place before sewing so both lobes sit level and the bottom point lands exactly 1 inch above the band's lower edge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Band (Color A)

Row 1: CO 14 sts.

Rows 2-160: Knit every row (garter stitch) until the piece measures 20 inches (14 sts).

Final row: BO loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Heart Pocket (Color B)

Row 1: CO 2 sts, kfb, k1 (3 sts).

Row 2: k1, kfb, k1 (4 sts).

Row 3: k1, kfb, k2 (5 sts).

Row 4: k2, kfb, k2 (6 sts).

Row 5: k2, kfb, k3 (7 sts).

Row 6: k3, kfb, k3 (8 sts).

Row 7: k3, kfb, k4 (9 sts).

Row 8: k4, kfb, k4 (10 sts).

Row 9: k4, kfb, k5 (11 sts).

Row 10: k5, kfb, k5 (12 sts).

Rows 11-14: Knit all sts (12 sts).

Row 15: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 (10 sts).

Row 16: Knit (10 sts).

Row 17: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8 sts).

Row 18: Knit (8 sts).

Row 19: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 sts).

Row 20: Knit (6 sts).

Row 21: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4 sts).

Row 22: Knit (4 sts).

Row 23: ssk, k2tog (2 sts).

Row 24: k2tog (1 st).

Final row: BO the last stitch. Cut yarn and weave in the tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Block the band and the heart to the finished measurements and let them dry completely. Fold the band into a ring with the short ends together and seam them with mattress stitch, placing the seam at center back. Pin the heart pocket to the front center of the band with its bottom point 1 inch above the lower edge. Sew around the heart's edges with whipstitch, leaving the top edge open to form the pocket. Weave in all ends, give the finished ear warmer a light steam, and let it dry before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the mint heart for a cream or lavender one to change the mood while keeping the pastel Parisian look.
• Add a few rows of ribbing at the band edges if you prefer a snugger fit around the ears.
• Make a matching set by knitting a second heart in the same yarn and sewing it onto a plain store-bought headband.