Amina Earwarmer. Photo © Krysten Grymes / yarnTh3ory
The Amina Earwarmer by Krysten Grymes of yarnTh3ory is a beautifully textured knit headband featuring an eye-catching herringbone stitch and a stylish twisted front.
Worked with super bulky yarn, the free adult version requires only about 68 yards (62 m), making it a quick winter accessory, market project or last-minute handmade gift.
Best of all, the adult-size knitting pattern is still available free from the designer. An expanded paid version is also available with four sizes and two yarn-weight options.
Amina Earwarmer Knitting Pattern Details
- Designer: Krysten Grymes
- Brand: yarnTh3ory
- Published: November 2022
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Earwarmer / knit headband
- Free version: Adult size in super bulky yarn
- Yarn weight: #6 Super Bulky
- Suggested yarn: Malabrigo Rasta
- Yardage: 68 yards (62 m)
- Main needles: US 35 (19 mm)
- Bind-off needles: US 17 (12 mm)
- Gauge: 12 stitches × 9 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
- Finished adult circumference: 21 inches
- Finished width: 5.75 inches
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Main texture: Herringbone knit stitch
- Construction: Worked flat and seamed into a twisted earwarmer
What Makes the Amina Earwarmer Special?
The standout feature of this design is its herringbone knit texture.
Instead of a simple ribbed or garter-stitch headband, the fabric has a dense diagonal appearance that gives the finished accessory a polished, almost woven look.
The folded join at the front adds another design element, creating the fashionable twisted shape seen in the finished earwarmer.
The Free Amina Earwarmer Pattern
There are currently two versions of the knitting pattern, so it is useful to understand the difference before starting.
The designer's free version provides the instructions for the adult size using super bulky yarn.
This is a complete free pattern published directly on the yarnTh3ory website, not simply a preview of the paid PDF.
What Is Included in the Paid Version?
Knitters who need additional sizing or want to use a different yarn weight can choose the designer's expanded paid version.
The expanded pattern includes:
- Baby size
- Child size
- Teen size
- Adult size
- Super bulky yarn instructions
- Worsted-weight yarn instructions
If you only want to make the adult super-bulky version shown here, however, the designer continues to provide those instructions free.
Super Bulky Yarn Makes It Quick
The free version uses #6 super bulky yarn.
Krysten Grymes made her sample with Malabrigo Rasta in the color Molino.
Rasta is a thick merino wool yarn with excellent stitch definition, making it particularly effective for showing the strong diagonal lines of the herringbone texture.
Only 68 Yards of Yarn
One of the biggest attractions of the Amina Earwarmer is its modest yarn requirement.
The free adult version calls for approximately:
68 yards / 62 meters
of #6 super bulky yarn
That makes it a useful project for a partial skein left over from another super-bulky project, provided you have enough yardage and can achieve the required gauge.
Choosing Substitute Yarn
You do not have to use the original Malabrigo Rasta to make the earwarmer.
Look for a #6 super bulky yarn that produces a fabric close to the designer's gauge.
Because the herringbone texture is the main visual feature, a relatively smooth yarn with good stitch definition can help the diagonal pattern remain clearly visible.
Solid, tonal and gently variegated colors can all work well, although highly contrasting multicolored yarn may make the herringbone texture less obvious.
Needles
The free pattern uses two unusually large needle sizes:
- US 35 (19 mm) circular needles for the main fabric
- US 17 (12 mm) circular needles for binding off
The smaller needle is used at the finishing stage rather than for knitting the main herringbone fabric.
Gauge and Finished Size
The designer's gauge is:
12 stitches × 9 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
The finished adult earwarmer measures approximately:
- Circumference: 21 inches
- Width: 5.75 inches
The free pattern also explains that the size can be adjusted by changing the number of stitches cast on, while the width can be changed by working more or fewer rows.
What Is Herringbone Knit Stitch?
Herringbone knitting creates a distinctive diagonal texture that resembles the classic herringbone pattern found in woven fabrics.
In the Amina Earwarmer, adjacent stitches are worked together in a special way while retaining one of the stitches to continue the sequence.
This creates the dense overlapping appearance that makes the finished headband look much more intricate than an ordinary stockinette accessory.
Is the Amina Earwarmer Beginner Friendly?
The designer rates the knitting pattern as intermediate.
The overall construction is simple, but the herringbone stitch requires more attention than standard knit and purl fabric.
If you are already comfortable handling needles and following a stitch sequence, this can be an excellent small project for learning a new texture without committing to a sweater or large blanket.
Learn the Herringbone Stitch First
Krysten Grymes provides a separate tutorial explaining the basics of the herringbone knit stitch.
It is worth practicing the technique on a small swatch before beginning the earwarmer.
Once your hands become accustomed to the movement, the repeated texture becomes much easier to work consistently.
Worked Flat
Although circular needles are listed, the earwarmer itself is worked flat.
You create a rectangular strip of herringbone fabric and then join the two ends during finishing.
This means you do not need to manage a small circumference in the round, which keeps the overall construction straightforward.
Creating the Twisted Front
The stylish front twist is created during finishing rather than through complicated shaping while knitting.
The ends of the completed strip are folded into position and sewn together. When the earwarmer is turned to the correct side, the folded seam forms the characteristic twist at the front.
The designer includes a demonstration of this finishing technique with the free pattern.
Why Use Smaller Needles for the Bind-Off?
The main fabric is worked on 19 mm needles, while the designer specifies 12 mm needles for the bind-off.
Following the designer's needle change helps reproduce the intended finishing behavior of the original sample.
Herringbone fabric behaves differently from ordinary stockinette, so it is worth following the specified finishing method before making your own adjustments.
Adjusting the Width
The free adult version is approximately 5.75 inches wide.
If you prefer a narrower earwarmer, the designer notes that you can work fewer rows. For additional coverage, work more rows before binding off.
Keep in mind that changing the dimensions will also change the amount of yarn required.
Adjusting the Circumference
The free adult sample finishes at approximately 21 inches in circumference.
The designer notes that the size can be adjusted by changing the number of stitches cast on.
If you make a substantial size adjustment, check your gauge and allow enough yarn before starting.
A Great Quick-Gift Project
The combination of super bulky yarn, a small finished size and only 68 yards of yarn makes the Amina Earwarmer especially appealing for gift knitting.
The designer specifically recommends it for market season and last-minute gifts.
Once you are comfortable with herringbone stitch, making several earwarmers in different colors can be an efficient way to turn small amounts of yarn into finished accessories.
A Useful Market-Knitting Project
Small accessories can be practical projects for craft markets because they require much less yarn and knitting time than full garments.
The strong texture and twisted front give the Amina Earwarmer a distinctive handmade appearance even though the overall construction remains relatively compact.
If you sell finished items, always check the designer's current terms before offering products made from a pattern.
Knitting vs Crochet Amina Earwarmer
Be aware that Krysten Grymes has designed both knit and crochet versions of the Amina Earwarmer.
They share the Amina name and a herringbone-inspired appearance, but they are separate patterns using different techniques and materials.
The pattern featured on this Amazing Knitting page is specifically the knit version published in November 2022.
Why Knit the Amina Earwarmer?
The Amina Earwarmer is a good choice when you want a small project that teaches something more interesting than basic ribbing or garter stitch.
Its herringbone fabric creates striking texture, the super bulky yarn helps the project progress quickly, and the twisted finishing technique gives the simple rectangular construction a stylish final shape.
With the adult instructions still available free from the designer, it is also an accessible way to try herringbone knitting before deciding whether you want the expanded multi-size pattern.
Get the Free Amina Earwarmer Knitting Pattern
The Amina Earwarmer (knit version) by Krysten Grymes is available free for the adult super-bulky version directly from yarnTh3ory.
Get the Free Amina Earwarmer Pattern →
The free designer version currently includes the adult size in super bulky yarn. An expanded paid version includes additional sizes and yarn-weight options. Pattern availability may change over time. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce or distribute the designer's copyrighted pattern instructions.