Hi Friends,

One of the most common requests I have for making custom crochet accessories for kids is to include a pair of animal ears. These are a fun way to embellish a hat or headband to invite imagination and whimsy into otherwise basic designs. I wanted to share a few quick ear patterns with you so you can create some custom pieces, too! 

You can see how I customized a hat for my friend Rose in the article Rose’s Custom Hat.

Animal Ears for Accessories Pattern

5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook 

Medium Weight Acrylic Yarn [pictured: Red Heart Super Saver in Saffron]

Abbreviations: 

ch – chain stitch

dc – double crochet stitch

dc dec – standard double crochet decrease [see Stitch Guide for more information] 

sl st – slip stitch 

rep / * – repeat as directed 

F.O. – fasten off 

Stitch Guide:

dc dec – To decrease in double crochet, work the first double crochet until only 2 loops are on the hook. Yarn over, place hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through all 3 loops for a completed decrease.

Pattern notes: 

• Each ear is worked in the round.
• The ch 2 at the beginning of the rounds does not count as a stitch.
• At the end of the round, sl st to first dc to join.
• If you are not familiar with magic loops, sometimes called an adjustable ring, check out this tutorial by Yarnspirations: How to Make Adjustable Ring – Beginner Crochet Video 13. 

Mouse Ears (make 2)

Finished measurements:

3 inches by 3 inches

Begin with a magic loop. 

Rnd 1 – ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 12 dc into loop, join with sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2 – ch 2, 2 dc into each st around, join with sl st to first dc (24 dc)

Rnd 3 – ch 2, dc into each st around (24 dc)

Rnd 4 – ch 2, dc dec 12 times. (12 dc)

F.O. with a long tail to sew onto the accessory. 

Bear Ears (make 2)

Finished measurements:

3 inches by 2.5 inches 

Begin with a magic loop.

Rnd 1 – ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 12 dc into loop, join with sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2 – ch 2, *1 dc, 2 dc into next st, rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

Rnd 3 – ch 2, dc in each st around (18 dc)

Rnd 4: ch 2, *1 dc, dc dec, rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc (12 dc)

F.O. with a long tail to sew onto the accessory. 

Optional: When sewing onto the accessory, pinch together to create fold for shape. 

Cat Ears (make 2)

Finished measurements:

2 inches by 2.5 inches 

Begin with a magic loop.

Rnd 1 – ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 6 dc into loop, join with sl st to first dc (6 dc) 

Rnd 2 – ch 2, 2 dc into each st around, join with sl st to first dc (12 dc)

Rnd 3 – ch 2, *1 dc, 2 dc into next st, rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

F.O. with a long tail to sew onto the accessory. 

Bunny Ears (make 2) 

Finished measurements:

5 inches by 3 inches 

Begin with a magic loop.

Rnd 1 – ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 12 dc into loop, join with sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2 – ch 2, *1 dc, 2 dc into next st, rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

Rnd 3 – ch 2, * 7 dc, dc dec, rep from *, join with sl st to first dc (16 dc)

Rnd 4 – ch 2, *6 dc, dc dec, rep from *, join with sl st to first dc (14 dc)

Rnd 5 – ch 2, *5 dc, dc dec, rep from *, join with sl st to first dc (12 dc)

Rnd 6 – ch 2, dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc (12 dc)

Rnd 7 – repeat Rnd 6. 

F.O. with a long tail to sew onto the accessory. 

Optional: When sewing onto the accessory, pinch together to create fold for shape.

This pattern is an original pattern by Christy Hagan of Christy Makes Friends. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you’d like to share this pattern, you may provide a link to this post, but please do not reprint it on your website.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please credit me, Christy Hagan of Christy Makes Friends, and provide a link to my blog www.christymakesfriends.com Absolutely no mass production or manufacturing of any kind is allowed. Thank you for understanding. I hope you loved this Free Crochet Pattern – Animal Ears for Accessories. 

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