Neko Ear Warmers

My mind, recently, has been on Japan and its culture, as well as on Halloween. My daughter has discovered Sailor Moon, and I have been very happily re-watching all of the episodes with her. The series brings back so many childhood memories for me. My best friend from elementary school is half Japanese. I vividly recall watching episodes of the anime not yet released in the U.S. with her in Japanese, and pretending to be sailor scouts ourselves. She is now in Japan, teaching English to youngsters. I couldn't be happier for her!

In Japan, cats are very beloved. Sailor Moon itself has two cats in it: Luna and Artemis. With Halloween just a bit over two months away, I've had cute crochet hats and ear warmers on the brain. I've already made a pumpkin hat that I'm very proud of. You can see more photos and purchase a custom made beret here. I used an already existing pattern for the hat itself. However, every other little bit it (the stem, leaf, and vine) I stitched together on the fly. Making up those few bits really got my creative juices flowing. The leaf I made for the hat really almost looks like a cat ear, right?

This got me to thinking: why not write my own pattern for a cat-eared ear warmer? I wish I had not attached my ears so far apart, but the pattern is very quick and easy. Enough of me blabbing, though. I got to work and wrote the pattern for the cat-ear ear warmer ("Neko Ear Warmer"). I'm even posting it for free below, just because I want to see how many people actually make it. (If you do, you must send me photos! Please?) If you don't want to go through the trouble, or don't know how to crochet, you can always purchase a custom-made one from my Etsy shop. If you do make the pattern, though, please don't sell it, since it's copyright BlueCloudCrochet. The published pattern is just for fun! Happy stitching! xo

Neko Ear Warmer

Yarn weight: medium worsted (4) (10 ply)

Suggested hook: H (8-5.00 mm)

Notions: tapestry needle

Size: adult

Gauge: 6 hdc = 2 in. 5 rows = 2 in.

Abbreviations:

                Ch = chain

                Sc = single crochet

                Hdc = half double crochet

                Dc = double crochet

                Tr = triple crochet

                Sl st = slip stitch

BAND

Ch. 70

Row 1: hdc in 3^rd ch from hook & each ch across

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as 1^st hdc) hdc across (69 st.)

Row 3 – 7: repeat row 2

Row 8: ch 1, sc in ea. hdc across. Finish off. (69 st.)

Sl st in foundation ch. Ch 1. Sc across. Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (69 st.)

Fold piece in half, & sew together using tapestry needle.

EARS (make 2)

Make a magic circle, ch 1.

Round 1: in magic circle, 2 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, sl st to join. Pull string from magic circle to tighten to desired tautness.

Rnd 2: ch 1. Do not turn. Sc in same st as join. Sc in next st. 2 sc in next 2 st, sc in next 3 st, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next 3 st, sl st to join.

Rnd 3: sl st in next 2 sc, ch 1. Sc in same st, ch 1. [sc, ch 1] 8 times. [sc, ch 1, sc] in next st. ch 1. [sc, ch 1] 7  times. Sc in next st. sl st in next st. finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Attach each ear to desired locations on band.

Model . . . I needs one.

 

Items include, but are not limited to: size 8-10 vintage blue/green handmade dress, earrings, and bracelets. Pay will be discussed with interested parties.

Pattern Review

While mulling around on what to do for my next project, I came across this.

Don't they just look warm, luxurious, and lovely? Well, I thought so, anyway. What I thought was neat was that there wasn't just one pattern there, but four. And they're all free! Awesome.

I just needed some cotton yarn. I suppose that you could make them with acrylic, but the thing about acrylic is that it does not absorb any water, so what's the point? I don't do stitch samplers. I needed some yarn to finish an afghan, anyway, so I went to the craft store. I ended up picking up some Lily Sugar 'n Cream. Well worth it, despite the price per ounce.

                                                    
    

Such pretty colors, don't you think? I couldn't resist. Those are the colors I bought.

I set to work on the first pattern; the Grit Stitch Washcloth. So fun!

I love how the stitch looks so complex, but it's actually very basic. A beginning crocheter could make this.

I added an edging to it, just to make it look more finished. All I did was work a bunch of single crochets all around. On the corners I did (sc, ch 1, sc). I think it worked out quite well. Here's the finished product:

Overall? Very easy pattern, very pretty product, and a very happy Sammich. I plan on making some of these for Mother's Day to sell in the shop, as well as to give to my Nana and future mother-in-law.

Before you ask, I DID try some of the other patterns. Or, rather, I started to. The thing is that I don't particularly like just making a ton of double crochets in a row, or really a lot of any of the same stitch in a row. I like diversity, even if it's a motif that's repeated. That's why the only one I actually made was the Grit Stitch Washcloth. But, if you like that sort of thing, or how the other patterns look, by all means, go for it. They are all incredibly simple.

Enjoy!