Free Crochet Pattern for Cat Ears on a Headband or Hat
Crochet cat ears headband
Cute Crochet Cat Ears!
Wish you could wear cat ears? Cat ears headbands and hats are great for costumes, keeping warm, or just being cute! Here is a very simple pattern to make the perfect cat ears for your crochet hat or headband.
This article includes two different patterns: one for two colors and one for a single color. Use whichever pattern you prefer. The pattern included is just for the ears, but I have included resources on how to crochet a headband or hat as well.
Also included are instructions for making a bow for a Hello Kitty hat!
Materials
Hook: F/5 crochet hook
Yarn: Medium weight / 4 yarn
Step 1: Crochet Headband or Hat
You'll want to start your project by crocheting either a headband or a hat. This is a pretty basic thing, so I haven't included a pattern—but if you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, here are some video tutorials to teach you how!
Step 2: Crochet Cat Ears
This first pattern is for those who want to make more realistic cat ears with an inner ear/skin color and an outer fur color. This pattern also works for wolf or fox ears too, if you use the right colors.
It is made up of four triangles: two for each ear, an inner ear color, and an outer ear color.
Two-Color Cat Ears Pattern
Triangle Pattern
Chain 13
Row 1: Turn and HDC 12 starting with 2nd ch from the hook
Row 2: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 10
Row 3: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 8
Row 4: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 6
Row 5: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 4
Row 6: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 2
Row 7: Turn, HDC-2-TOG, HDC 1
Fasten off.
Repeat once more with the same color, then twice more with the other color.
Lay the inner ear color on top of the outer ear color. Then single crochet around the edges of the triangles, using the outer ear color. Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew.
To sew on your ears, figure out where on the headband you would like to place them, then pin them on. Once you have placed your ears where you want them, sew them on using a yarn needle.
Depending on how you sew on your ears, you can give your headband or hat a different look. Try using orange yarn for a fox and grey for a wolf.
This Hello Kitty hat was crocheted using the single cat ear pattern.
One-Colour Cat Ears Pattern
This ear pattern is one I used for my Hello Kitty hat. It is a very quick and simple pattern if you just want a cute hat with ears without putting in too much time or effort. Or if you are a beginner, just get comfortable with a hook.
Start with a long tail for sewing, then chain 20 and slip stitch in the first stitch.
Round 1 - 4: HDC 20
Round 5 (and so on): HDC-2-TOG, HDC, repeat around until there are 4 stitches left.
Then slip stitch, fasten off, and pull the thread into the ear.
Sew the opening of the ear closed with the long tail from the beginning.
Repeat with the second.
Pin the ears onto your hat or headband then sew them on using a yarn needle.
Step 3: Optional Hello Kitty Bow
To make a Hello Kitty hat or headband, start by crocheting your basic headband or beanie hat in white. Then crochet two white ears using the single-color cat ear pattern.
All you need to do next is add the bow!
How to Crochet a Bow
I made my bow a bit big, so feel free to cut down on the length of the initial chain to make yours a bit smaller.
Chain 50, slipstitch in the first stitch.
Round 1 - 12: HDC around
Slip stitch, then turn the piece so the tail is in the center, then wrap yarn tight around the middle of the piece and fasten it with a couple of knots. Cut off yarn, leaving a tail long enough to sew the bow onto the hat.
If you want to add a face I suggest sewing or using fabric glue to add on felt pieces for the best look. Cut two black oval eyes, six black skinny rectangle whiskers, and one yellow oval nose.
Comments
hi on March 04, 2018:
uhhhhhhhh..... THX!
Mackenzie Sage Wright on April 25, 2014:
That's just adorable. Nice work!
Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on April 21, 2014:
Thanks so much for that explanation. Much appreciated.
Samantha Harris (author) from New York on April 21, 2014:
DzyMsLizzy, I will make this pattern a bit more newbie friendly. TOG means together. So in 2-sc-tog you are pulling yarn through one stitch, then the next stitch before pulling yarn through the loops you've created. It's a method of decreasing.
RTalloni on April 18, 2014:
Congrats on your Hub of the Day award for this useful and fun crochet tutorial!
Carrie L Cronkite from Maine on April 18, 2014:
You're very talented. I love your work. Congratulations on HOTD!
Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on April 18, 2014:
Congrats on HOTD!
I might venture to try this for my granddaughters. I think I might crochet around a purchased plastic headband, much as you do around an elastic for those "scrunchies" the kids use for their ponytails. (Or at least, they did when my kids were in school..LOL)
I'm no good at reading patterns, though. (I don't know what "TOG" means, for example.) I've only done straight rectangles, squares, or granny squares. Every time I try to deviate from those shapes, I find myself in trouble.
Voted up, interesting and useful.
Marie Flint from Jacksonville, FL USA on April 18, 2014:
I love those cute ears. I don't crochet myself, but I do hand quilting (still working on that Love Ring quilt that I started; it'll be finished around August, I think).
I never had the patience for knitting, either (all thumbs with that). Crochet is a bit easier, I think, and I love the feel of soft, stretchy closing, which includes yarns, both knitted and crocheted.
Congratulations on Hub of the Day!
Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on April 18, 2014:
These wimminz in the photos, they sure are purdy :D
swilliams on April 18, 2014:
This is a very adorable article! I don't have the patience to crochet a hat, but I am so inspired by those who take the time to do so. Very beautiful and creative! Voted up!
Elaina Baker from USA on April 18, 2014:
Oh, how cute is that?!? I like the Hello Kitty version too! Voted up and pinning!
Angie Power from North Cali on April 18, 2014:
Great Hub! I am re-learning how to crochet. My daughter would love a handmade beanie with kitty ears. I shall try! Thank you for the hub and congrats on HOD. !!!
Natasha L Polak from Indianapolis, IN on April 18, 2014:
It just so happened that my daughter was asking me earlier this week to find a headband that has fox ears on it for her to wear! Now I can make one instead :-) Thanks!
DreamerMeg from Northern Ireland on April 18, 2014:
Great idea and simple enough, even for me! Thanks.
onefineday on February 13, 2014:
I love love love this. I can't crochet, but I think I might beg my mom to make this for me!
Samantha Harris (author) from New York on January 09, 2014:
You're never too old to have a little fun! :)
Dianna Mendez on January 09, 2014:
This is the cutest idea I've seen in crochet patterns in awhile. I love the cat ears and the headband ideas. I only wish I were young enough to wear them!
Priyanka Estambale from United States on December 30, 2013:
Beautiful and easy :-)
