Double crochet and slanted puff stitch earwarmer

This stylish headband features a "squishy" and stretchy texture created by crossing puff stitches over double crochets. It is worked flat in rows and seamed at the end for a seamless look. Materials Yarn: Medium weight (Category 4) acrylic yarn (approx. 100–120 yards) Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook Tools: Tapestry needle, scissors, and a measuring tape Abbreviations (US Terms) Ch: Chain St(s): Stitch(es) DC: Double Crochet PS (Puff Stitch): Yarn over (YO), insert hook into specified stitch, pull up a loop. (YO, insert hook, pull up a loop) twice more in the same stitch. YO and pull through all 7 loops on the hook. Sl St: Slip Stitch Pattern Notes Stitch Multiple: 3 + 4. The "Slanted" effect is created by working the puff stitch into a skipped stitch before the double crochets just worked. The headband is worked to a length approximately 1.5 inches shorter than the head circumference to allow for the stretch of the acrylic yarn. Pattern Instructions Foundation Chain: Ch 19 (or any multiple of 3 + 4). Row 1: 1. DC in the 5th ch from the hook. 2. DC in the next ch. 3. Puff Stitch (PS): YO, insert hook into the 4th ch (the skipped chain immediately before the first DC), and pull up a loop. Repeat two more times in the same chain (7 loops on hook). YO and pull through all loops. 4. *Skip the next ch, DC in the next 2 chs. PS in the skipped ch (crossing over the two DCs). 5. Repeat from * across until one chain remains. 6. DC in the last ch. Turn. Row 2: 1. Ch 3 (counts as first DC). Skip the first stitch. 2. Skip the next stitch (the top of the puff stitch from the previous row). 3. DC in the next 2 stitches (the tops of the previous row's DCs). 4. PS: YO, insert hook into the skipped stitch (the top of the previous row's puff stitch), and pull up a loop three times. YO and pull through all loops. 5. *Skip the next stitch, DC in the next 2 stitches. PS in the skipped stitch. 6. Repeat from * across until you reach the turning chain. 7. DC in the top of the turning chain. Turn. Remaining Rows: Repeat Row 2 until the piece reaches your desired length (Head Circumference minus 1.5 inches). For an average adult, this is typically 18–20 inches long. Finishing Assembly: Fold the headband in half so the short ends meet. Align the stitches of both ends. Slip stitch (Sl St) through both layers across the row to join the ends. Fasten off, leaving a small tail. Weaving in Ends: Using a tapestry needle, weave in all loose ends on the "wrong side" (the side with the slip stitch seam). Turn the headband right-side out to hide the seam.