Easiest Crochet Ear Savers To Make Your Ears Happy

Meet the most useful thing you might come across today: crochet ear savers! So quick and fun to make out of scraps and most importantly they make mask wearing so much more comfortable!

What are Ear Savers for Masks?

Ear savers for masks are small strips of crochet with buttons on either end. When used, they take the pressure from the elastic off the backs of the ears and place them on the buttons which is so much more comfortable because sore ears are no fun!

My venture into crochet ear savers came about when my good friend, Allison, was lamenting on Facebook at how uncomfortable the mask she had to wear at the hospital was on her poor ears. I felt bad for her and for my husband too. I hate wearing a mask for my weekly or biweekly grocery shopping-I can’t even imagine having to feel that elastic on my ears for hours on end day after day. 

I’m one of those types of people where little things drive me absolutely batty. I’ve been known to search every corner of the house to stop some random buzzing thing or drip noise. So I know that elastic rubbing on my ears would drive me crazy. There are several ear saving solutions out there including headbands, scarves and fabric bands. But of course, a crochet version spoke to my heart!

Can Wearing a Mask Make Your Ears Stick Out Permanently?

Yes. People wonder this. I did some research and the answer is “NO”. It will not permanently alter your anatomy to have elastic over your ears. It’s more that the elastic is uncomfortable and if it pulls too tightly on your ears, it CAN make your ears stick out a bit while you’re wearing it and really.. who wants that, right?  If elastic has already rubbed your ears into an irritated mess, here’s a great article with tips to soothe sore ears.

If you are sewing your own mask or having one custom made for you, try making the elastic a little bit longer–that helps some too.  Or.. these quick crochet ear savers to the rescue!

What Size Do You Make The Ear Savers?

Ear savers are about the easiest things to crochet and I’ve got you covered with multiple sizes! I’ve found that an ear saver that is about 3.75″ long works really well for children.

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These crochet ears savers are so fast to crochet!  I love using the invisible join for a seamless finish!  I can crochet one in less than 15 minutes!  And aren’t these fun buttons from Hobby Lobby the cutest thing ever?  A fun touch for a kid or a kid at heart!

For teens and women, I recommend the medium size ear saver! It works perfectly for me and my friend, Allison.

My husband prefers the large size. In fact, he declared the crochet ear savers ‘AMAZING’ and then went on to write a Facebook post about the zebra stripe buttons on the black ear saver and some relationship to the Tiger King. Sigh. I love that guy!

I’m also secretly glad he loves the striped buttons because I found that my fun style of crochet also trickled into my buttonstash…and I had a real hard time finding appropriately subtle and neutral looking buttons in my button stash suitable for a manly crochet ear saver!

Use the Ear Savers Pattern to make one for every member of your family.. from kids to large adults!

I’m also secretly glad he loves the striped buttons because I found that my fun style of crochet also trickled into my button stash…and I had a real hard time finding appropriately subtle and neutral looking buttons in my button stash suitable for a manly crochet ear saver!

How Do You Wear Ear Savers?

A lot of readers have asked how to wear ear savers (also called a mask mate). We find it best to put the mask on with the elastic over the ears. Then carefully slip the elastic on one side off the ear and over the button on to one side of the crochetear saver. Then repeat the process on the other side, slipping the elastic on to the 2nd button. Here’s how my husband’s crochet ear saver fits in real life. The elastic straps still go over the ears, but then are held by a button on each side, thus relieving pressure and pain on the ears. Brilliant!

For button attachment, I pulled out my embroidery floss from that time in the 90’s when I was all into cross stitching.  I can’t even tell you how much I loved finding the perfect shade of embroidery floss to sew on my fun buttons.  Too much fun, really.  And the many layers of floss made for less stitches to makes those buttons nice and secure.

I kinda feel like mother earth, ya know? All efficient like. Dug into my stash for all those bits of worsted weight cotton yarn; you only need 4-5 yards for each one. I prefer cotton worsted weight yarn for my crocheted ear savers, but you could try other yarns too. Then I had a great time digging through fun buttons and coordinating embroidery floss. Sigh. Almost like everything is right with the world. And then I can bust them out speedy quick like some crochet rock star hero. It seriously takes more time to sew on the buttons than it does to crochet the ear savers pattern.

Crochet Ear Savers Pattern

Here is what you will need:

• US H8/5.00 mm crochet hook (here are my favorite crochet hooks)
• 4 (medium size) – 5 yards (large size) worsted weight cotton yarn such as Lily Sugar ‘N Cream yarn
• 2 Buttons.  I prefer 5/8″ buttons but any size between 1/2″ and 1″ will work fine
• Thread or embroidery floss to sew on buttons.
• Tapestry needle, sewing needle and scissors

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

The child size ear saver is 3.75″ long, the medium size ear saver is 4.75″ long and the large size is 5.75″ long.  You may adjust the size of your crochet ear saver by adding or decreasing the starting chain.

Chain 20 for size medium.  For large size, chain 24. For child size, chain 16.

R1: hdc in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across until last chain.  In last chain, work 3 hdc for the 1st corner, then turn work, and work a hdc in the opposite side the chain across to the last stitch.  Work 2 hdc in the last stitch.  Fasten off and join with an invisible join which you can learn about here.  This creates a seamless, continuous stitch like so:

Weave in ends.  Then sew a button at each end with thread or embroidery floss.

Ear Protector Button Options

Since originally publishing this ear savers pattern, I’ve heard a lot of concerns about buttons.  What size buttons? Can I use a different size button? Oh NO, I’m OUT of buttons, what now?  Can I crochet a button?  Here are my best suggestions:

At the time I originally wrote this post, we were under stay at home orders in our state and our craft stores were closed.  I was stuck with what was in my stash or what I could create from what I had.  If you are able to go to a craft store or are adventurous with online searching, there are some adorable buttons to be had!  These monkey and hippo buttons were purchased from Hobby Lobby in later months.

But what can you do if you can’t or aren’t able to go out to buy the perfect buttons?  Get creative!  You’re a crocheter, after all!  Raid your own stash if you can.  I like the 5/8″ buttons.  Other patterns recommend 1″ buttons.  I think you could go down to a 1/2″ button and that would work too. You could also steal them off of garments that have seen better days and repurpose them.

You can put a shout out on your own personal Facebook page asking for button donations and then do a porch drop or pick up to get them from your friends or family.  Many, many people keep buttons and would be more than happy to seem them put to good use.

You can also try crocheting a button and see if the elastic will hold in place.  My suggestion is to try one first and make sure it will work before mass producing them.  My Scrap Yarn Wine Cozy has an crochet appliqué button you could try. You could also try a 3 round button, working 6 sc into a magic loop in the first round; then increasing into every stitch in the 2nd round; then decreasing into every stitch for the last round and then closing that up with an amigurumi finish.  Squish flat and sew on.

I’ve also seen a similar button with a tiny bit of stuffing inside so that the button is like a little ball.  OR you could try crocheting around a washer.  If you try any of these and find one is a great solution, let me know in the comments!

More Free Crochet Patterns

If you love the crocheted ear savers pattern, you might also like to check out these other crochet wearable patterns:

1. Alpine Crochet Headband //   2. Crochet Crown //   3. Ribbed Wonder Easy Crochet Hat

Don’t forget subscribers can get a free printable version of the crochet ear saver pattern right in my vault! Sign up here:

Want to Know How to Sew a Mask?

Here’s my husband modeling the mask I made him.  I ended up going a little rogue and in my own direction to create the perfect mask. Don’t you love how he rocks the Michigan State Spartans even in a health crisis?

I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making the Crochet Ear Savers I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!

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