Adorable DIY Ear Warmers

How gorgeous are these DIY ear warmers?? I love all the different styles you can make from one tute as well. When I spied these on Delia Creates I just had to beg Delia to share the DIY with you, and lucky us, she agreed!
Take it away Delia: With autumn here and winter right around the corner, it is the perfect time to make these easy DIY ear warmers! These are so fun and quick to make, you may want to make four…like I did! All it takes is an old wool sweater or 1/4 yard of fleece, scissors, thread, and a sewing machine. Pretty simple. For this one I used an old wool sweater that got ruined in the wash and became semi-felted.

For this one I added some pleats up the side and added some flowers.

For this one I used a sleeve off an old thermal knit shirt.

And this one is fleece with a matching knit fabric sewn over it and a nice pretty recycled knit bow.

You’re so excited now right?  And can’t you see some cute mini-ear warmers for your tot?  You could totally make a boy version too.  Learn how to make DIY ear warmers below, and also visit Delia over at Delia Creates for a lot of other amazing tutes!


DIY Ear Warmers

The idea is pretty simple. You start with a piece of felted wool or fleece cut to these measurements:

Taper the ends to an ending width of about 1 1/2 inches wide.

Add pleats if you so desire. Go here for more information on that.

Fold the sides under and sew.

Add a button hole and a button at the ends.

My button hole skills need work but as you can see I just make a rectangle with a zig zag stitch and then cut a slit in the middle of that rectangle.

Embellish to your hearts delight.

For this wool ear warmer I cut randomly shaped flowers, stacked them, and then placed them cascading to one side.

I simply hand sewed each stack of flowers right through the center and pulled it tight so the flowers would pucker up a bit.

I used the same technique for the other two flowered ear warmers; but also added a few extra hidden stitches to the thermal knit one to hold the large flower in place so it wouldn’t flop around.

The bow is done similarly but with a lot of hidden hand sewn stitches at the back of the bow. I made about 10 doubled up stitches at the back of this one. I would just do one stitch, go through twice or more, knot it off and then move onto the next one.

All done.

These are a great gift…I myself, am making some for family this Christmas…and they very inexpensive. If you can’t recycle an old sweater for free, you can purchase the fleece for about $1 since you will only need at the most 1/4  yard. Got to love that.

First off, this is an adorable DIY right?  And second off, could Miss Delia herself be any cuter??  Now find your next sewing project here, or follow us on Pinterest for more sewing inspiration!

by

85 Comments

Patrick, Ashley, and Audrey

Yay Delia!! First off…I love your name!:)I may need to have another child just so I can hope it's a girl and name her Delia!
Second off…..I must make this! My MIL had one of these on last night and I couldn't get over how cute it was! Then this morning to find a tut on how to make a thrify one of a kind one myself! I think I have died and gone to heaven!:) Thanks!!! Now….if I could only leave work to go home and get busy on this!

Reply
Taylor {Sew Much Love}

Most importantly, this works for those of us hot mess mommies who don't have time to do our hair!

I saw this a while ago and put it on my to-do list and forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder! It just got moved up the list!

Reply
sarah

Oh, I love you!!! I have so many people to get little gifts this year and this look so awesome and so easy to do, which is exactly what I need with a 1 yr old, 3 yr old and a 4 yr old! Love, love, love you for getting her to share this and for her to come up with it!!

Reply
Rani

I LOVE THESE! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INSPIRATION AND THE TUTORIAL! I am just a bit excited cause I can actually make these! No worries about holiday gifts…these are going to rock! I bow my head down to you Miss Delia!!!!

Reply
practicalpeaces

This is adorable- I have a huge stash of corduroy and minkee that is begging to be turned into earwarmers. My daughters will love this! Actually, this is one project that I can also make for my son, so I can stop feeling guilty that he has less hand made stuff than the girls. (Not that he wants sundresses, but still) My husband might even wear one… Yay, Christmas!

Reply
Alice

I bought 4 wool sweaters a couple years ago and shrunk them Now I have something to make out of them. I was going to make a basket but didn't get that far. HAHA It's going to get in the 20's tonight BURRR

Reply
Arran's BabyGirl

These are so absolutely adorable, and thrifty!! I love that she recycled a shirt for the red one – makes it so affordable and fun! This is definitely going in my DO IT pile!

Reply
Lauren

SO cute!! I have super short hair that doesn't always look great with hats– so this will be an adorable and still warm alternative! Thanks for the tut!

Reply
sheree

Totally cute! Love the grey and the yellow one best. Nice work Delia! (I take my hat off to those who when they sew a straight line – it actually looks straight!)

Reply
Kim

I pretty much think I have to make these today!!!!!!!! I seriously love this idea! So cute for not only me, but my daughter and all my friends! Her color combos and designs are fantastic! Thanks for sharing!!!

xo
kimberly.long at gmail dot com

Reply
Krista

Thank you so much for the perfect gift idea for all my girlfriends! Now that I said that, I really hope none of them read your Web site… for my sake!

Reply
Jess

oh my gee!!! love love love…. how would i do measurements for a little girl? (a surprise gift for a 3 year old… thats my niece so i cant measure her in her sleep….)
help please, mommies with sleep three year old girls! measure for me!!! 🙂

Reply
brickstory

So there was this one time that I read this post and then dreamt about the sweater finding trip I would take to the thrift store. It was yesterday. Just sayin'.

Reply
Miranda Rommel

Oooooh – i'm totally going to make some of these for sisters and sisters in law whom are hard to think up presents for.
and maybe one for me too. Definitely one for me too. 🙂

Reply
Andee

Those are really great! I scored 2 yards of some awesome mustard colored wool at our local thrift store and have been waiting for something brilliant to do with it. I think I just found my inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Jacki

oh, this is perfection!! I need these to wear when I run: cold ears are the worst! After I practice on myself, I'm going to make these for my girls, I KNOW they'll love them! What a great idea, thanks for sharing!

Reply
Noblekatt

love these, off to pick thru my closet to see what I can deconstruct into some cute ear warmers!
Jenn Post
noblekatt(at)hotmail(dot)com

Reply
Heather

This is soooo perfect! My little daughter has the perfect pair of flower kids jeans that will go with a yellow ear warmer like the one posted! Oh I am so excited to start this new project!

Reply
Cyan

I just pulled out my sewing machine last night (a hand me down from my mom) and used it for the first time ever. I made (with my mom's help) a reversible superhero cape for my son's birthday. Anyway…it was really challenging. This looks more my speed and it is so CUTE! Gonna have to make one (or 3). Thanks!

Reply
tiara

I just LOVED this tutorial. I like wearing different kinds of warm ear covers and this was perfect. I'm not the biggest fan of flowery things so I'm very glad you included the bow alternate. Definitely going to make some of these for the girls on my Christmas list. Thanks so much

Reply
Sewicked

I have some old shirts, too worn for the thrift shop but a little too good for rags. This project is perfect. Thanks so much. And thanks for the little tips for shaping the flowers & keeping them in place.

Reply
Dominique

I absolutely love that scarf! Matches so well with the headband (which is also adorable). This has been added to my "want to make" list. Thank you.

Reply
Becky

These are great! Perfect for dashing out the door with the dog for a walk or wearing to go shopping!!
Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Sara

I have the perfect sweater to transform….I have been searching the internet frantically for a "sweet" gift for a themed Christmas part this weekend. You saved me!!! I hope I have enough material to make one for myself, too! This is my first trip to your blog…you are so my style! Love it!

Reply
Alex

These are perfect! I'm a Californian going to college in Minnesota, and this was one of the winter things I didn't anticipate needing and somehow never ended up getting last year! A friend knit me one, but I'd love to have one that I made myself, and this is much more up my alley. The flowers are great – cute, but not overly girly!

Reply
Julie

Just made one of these and it turned out sooo cute! About to make another one. They make perfect gifts. Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Reply
poorgirlscrafts

I made mine like the grey one and LOVE it! I wear it every chance I get. It is so adorable and so fashionable, everyone thinks I bought it! I love when I get to tell them that I made for about two dollars in less than ten minutes 🙂

Reply
Sugar Shack Studios

I just found this on Pinterest ~ absolutely adorable, a great upcycle, so many ways to do it, there's just a millions things to love about it! Delia is clearly as adorable as well – thanks for sharing your creativity with us!

Reply
Bored out of my head :D | Pearltrees

[…] Adorable DIY Ear Warmers | Prudent Baby You’re so excited now right? And can’t you see some cute mini-ear warmers for your tot? You could totally make a boy version too. Check out the full Ear Warmer DIY after the jump, and also visit Delia over at Delia Creates for a lot of other amazing tutes! […]

Reply
victorious stitches

I am loving the ear warmers. My church is having a women conference later this month;and I plan on having a table to sell my items. The ear warmers will be apart of my items. Thank you Delia, I’m always looking for new things to make.

Reply
two-2

how darling these are girlfriend….i too have made some for the raider’s/49er’s game and sell in the parking lots before the games..of course that gives me GAS funds…all helps….i’m 64yrs young and been sewing since age 9…do keep up the good works and GREAT IDEAS….

Reply
Amber

This is so cute!!! As soon as I saw it I knew I had to make one for my daughter and I did – in just 1 hour. What an awesome and easy tutorial and it is so cute!!! Now I am going to make some for myself and my nieces also. Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Reply
Deb

Might be late to the game, but just fell in love with the grey one. Trying a heavy purple wool felt right now on that one… just adorable.

Thank you thank you thank you for sharing this one!

Reply
Marjorie Lipsey

I will definitely be making several of these. The shape will definitely work better than any other I have seen. But I will be adding some elastic to make a snug fit.

Reply
Esther Carr

My daughter turned me onto these ear warmers – your creativeness really shows in getting these up a step.
Absolutely chic. I’ll be spending December with my son in Florida, and am putting this on my list of
“to do’s”! Thank you so much for sharing – I’m not creative, but I can follow instructions.

God bless you! ec

Reply
Nancy

Simply enchanting, Adorning one of these on a cold winter day would brighten the day and lift spirits! Well done!

Reply
Rachel Chung

These are the most adorable earmuffs ever!!! I can’t wait to get started on gifts for all my female relatives for Christmas. Genius!

Reply
Lisa

This is precious. Thrifty and I always love re-using items to make them something new. My imagination is going wild, as I have an embroidery shop! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.
Embroiderythat…Lisa

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *