First Time Mom and Losing It

My toddler has been going to dance class for about a month now and I am such a proud dance mom! There is nothing cuter than seeing a little class full of 2-3 year old's in their little leotards and ballet shoes! Being a first time mom I was super nervous right before her first class because this would be her first time staying with someone other than my mom or sister.

As soon as she saw the other little girls with the same leotard she quickly ran to them and got acquainted with the barre. It was time for the moms to leave the room and head on to the waiting area. I was afraid that she would cry or try to follow me but she didn't do either. She really didn't seem to mind that I left. We got to watch them though a TV that is feed with the camera from the dance room. All of us moms seemed nervous at first but once we saw that they were fine we started chatting up a storm.


I have yet to make her a little ballerina bun because it has been so cold that I have had to bundle her up with sweats, boots, hats and gloves. If you know how it is combing a toddler's hair you wouldn't dare waste the time of making a nice ballerina bun to then have a hat mess it up .

Since we drive right up to the studio I needed a hat or something to keep her warm just until we ran into the studio. The light bulb went up in my head when I decided to crochet her a super warm ear warmer that would also cover part of her head but leave her bun alone.


To make the ear warmer I first measured my daughters head where the ear warmer would go. Than I used a worsted weight yarn and J hook. I made a chain of 10 and single crocheted and then half double crocheted and tapered the length by doing half double crochet increases. I continued to crochet up to the measurement I got and then tapered it back down. I finished with a buttonhole at the end and then sewed on a large button to the top.


To create the bow decoration I cut out a piece fleece that was 4 3/4" x 4". Then I cut another piece of fleece that is 2" x 4". I took the first piece of fleece and folded it in half and sewed down the two sides with a 1/4" seam. Then I sewed the bottom edge with a 1/4" seam leaving a space in the middle to turn inside out. Trim and turn inside out. I took the second piece of fleece and folded it in half to make a long strip. I sewed down the side with a 1/4" seam and turned inside out.


Then I took the large rectangle and placed it on top of the ear warmer where I wanted the bow to go.


I pinched the bow in the middle and placed the middle strip on top.


I poked the ends of the middle strip in between the stitches of the ear warmer and pulled through to the back side.


Using a 1/4" seam I sewed the ends together.



Ballerina Bun Crochet Ear Warmer (Printable Pattern)
Worsted Weight Yarn and J Hook
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet

Chain 10.
Row 1: sc in 9 chains
Row 2: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in last stitch
Row 3: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 4: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in last stitch
Row 5: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 6: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 8 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in last stitch
Row 7-37: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 38: Row 2: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in next 7 stitches, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in last stitch
Row 39: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 38: Row 2: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in next 5 stitches, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in last stitch
Row 39: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 40: Row 2: chain 2 turn, hdc in first stitch, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in next 3 stitches, hdc decrease in next 2 stitches, hdc in last stitch
Row 39: chain 2 turn, hdc in each stitch
Row 40 - 42: chain 2 turn, sc in each stitch
Row 43: chain 1 turn, sc in first 3 stitches, chain 3, skip next three stitches, sc in last 3 stitches
Row 44: chain 1 turn, sc in first 3 stitches, 3 sc in chain loop, sc in last 3 stitches
Row 45: chain 1 turn, sc in each stitch

Follow the instructions above to make the bow and then sew a large button to the beginning end of the ear warmer.