Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern

Pattern Instructions – Simply Chic Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer

Now that you’ve gathered your materials and reviewed the plaid stitch basics, it’s time to start crocheting your Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer.

This pattern uses repeating plaid rows and simple color changes to create the classic buffalo plaid design. Take your time with the first few rows as the color placement is established. Once the pattern begins to emerge, you’ll find the repeats easy to follow.

The plaid stitch chart and tutorial linked above can be helpful references as you work through the pattern.

Let’s get started!

Crochet Buffalo Plaid Headband Construction

This Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern is worked flat in rows using the plaid stitch and three coordinating yarn colors.

The plaid design is created by alternating blocks of color and stacking them in specific rows to achieve the classic buffalo plaid effect. The fabric is worked as a simple rectangle, making it easy to customize the fit by adding or removing repeat rows as needed.

Once the desired length is reached, a short solid-color section is added to create the button band and buttonholes. The ear warmer is then finished with a simple edging and decorative buttons.

Because the plaid stitch is built from double crochet stitches and repeating color sequences, the pattern becomes easy to memorize after the first few rows. The included plaid chart and tutorial can be used as helpful references throughout the project.

Prefer an Ad-Free Version?

If you’d rather crochet without interruptions, the printable PDF version of the Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern is available in my shop.

The PDF includes:

• Ad-free, printer-friendly formatting
• Complete pattern instructions
• Plaid stitch chart
• Step-by-step photo tutorials
• Sizing information from child through adult
• Lifetime access to download and save

Get the Printable PDF Pattern

Finished Dimensions

The Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern includes multiple sizes from child through adult. Use the chart below to determine the finished ear warmer size that best corresponds to the wearer’s head circumference.

For the most comfortable fit, choose a finished ear warmer size that provides slight negative ease, allowing the fabric to stretch comfortably while being worn.

Want to keep this chart handy?
You can download the printable Crochet Head Warmer / Ear Warm Sizing Chart PDF inside the Free Fiber Stash Library, along with other crochet reference tools and guides.

Get access to the Fiber Stash here →

Additional notes:

Buffalo Plaid Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern

With Black (DARK shade), Ch 14

Row 1:  Dc in 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across [12d]

Rows 2-3:  Turn work,  ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in each stitch across [12dc]

Row 4 (Plaid row 1):  Turn work,  ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches [3dc]

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) – Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Black (DARK shade) – Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) – Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

NOTE:  You should be alternating Black (DARK shade) and Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.

Row 5 (Plaid row 2):  Change to Red (LIGHT shade) – turn work, ch3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches (3dc)

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Red (LIGHT shade) – Dc in the next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

NOTE:  You should be alternating Red (LIGHT shade) and BURGUNDY (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.

NOTE:  The Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) sits should be on top of the Black (DARK shade) stitches from the previous row and the Red (LIGHT shade) stitches should be on top of the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches from the previous row.

Row 6 (Plaid Row 3):  Change to Black (DARK shade)- turn work, ch3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next 2 stitches (3dc)

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) – Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Black (DARK shade)- Dc in the next 3 stitches (3dc)

Change to Burgundy (MEDIUM shade)- Dc in the  next 3 stitches (3dc)

NOTE:  You should be alternating Black (DARK  shade) and BURGUNDY (MEDIUM shade) every 3 double crochet stitches.

NOTE:  The Black (DARK shade) stitches should be on top of the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches from the previous row and the Burgundy (MEDIUM shade) stitches should be on top of the Red (LIGHT shade) stitches from the previous row.

For 18.5” final dimensions

~suitable for 4-12yrs and Teen

Rows 7-23:  Repeat rows 5 and 6

For dimensions suitable for Teen to Sm adult

Add 1 to 3 rows of row 5 & 6 repeats  (approx. 19-20” final dimensions)

For dimensions suitable for Sm adult to M adult

Add 3 to 5 rows of row 5 & 6 repeats  (approx. 20-21” final dimensions)

For dimensions suitable for Lg adult

~suitable for Lg adult

Add 5 to 7 rows of row 5 & 6 repeats  (approx. 21-22” final dimensions)

NOTE:  It is here (between rows 7-23 that you can also reduce the number of rows to create ear warmers that will fit sizes smaller than 4-12yrs according to the chart provided above.

Next Row (Row 24 for 18.5”):  Change to Black -Turn work,  ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in each stitch across (12dc)

Next 2 (Rows 25-26 for 18.5”):  Turn work, ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in each stitch across (12dc)

Next Row (Row 27 for 18.5”):  Turn work,  ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in the next st, ch1, skip the next st, dc in the next 6 sts, ch 1, skip the next st,  dc in the last 2 sts (12dc)

NOTE:  What you are doing here by chaining 1 and skipping stitches (called a ch1-space)  is creating a the buttonholes.

Final Row (Row 28 for 18.5”):  Turn work,  ch 3, dc in the first stitch (or work a standing DC) and in each stitch across, including the ch1-spaces (12dc)

Bind Off & Weave in ends.

Finishing:

• Using Black, sc around the horizontal edges of the ear warmer

Bind Off & Weave in ends.

Sew buttons  to solid black end with no buttonholes.   Make sure you sew the buttons where they will correspond to the buttonholes on the opposite end.