Granny Square Mushroom Ear Warmer for Dogs — Free Crochet Pattern

Granny Square Mushroom Ear Warmer for Dogs — Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This little ear warmer is made for the small dogs who hate having their ears covered but still shiver on chilly walks — think Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Pugs. It's a flat strip of four solid granny squares in bright rainbow colors, topped with a row of chunky cream-stemmed, red-capped mushrooms that look like they popped straight out of a storybook. Because it's a straight band that buttons under the chin rather than a closed tube, it slips on in seconds and stays put without squishing the ears. The bulky wool makes it squishy, warm, and quick to work up — a perfect first granny square project that ends in something your dog will actually wear.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky (weight 5), 100% wool, approx. 90 yd total, divided as: A red 20 yd, B orange 12 yd, C yellow 12 yd, D green 14 yd, E blue 14 yd, F purple 10 yd, G cream 8 yd.
• Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9).
• Notions: Tapestry needle for whipstitching and weaving in ends, one 0.6 in / 1.5 cm button, scissors, a tape measure.
• Finished size: Strip 10 x 2.5 in / 25 x 6.5 cm (4 squares); 4.5 in / 11.5 cm tall with the mushroom border. Fits head circumference 10–13 in / 25–33 cm (small breeds).

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two.
• sp — space (usually a ch2 corner space).
• sk — skip the next stitch without working into it.
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed.
• rep — repeat.

Gauge

One solid granny square (4 rounds) measures 2.5 in / 6.5 cm square, and 4 dc measure 1 in. Work one square first and measure it flat; if it's larger than 2.5 in, drop to a 5 mm hook, and if it's smaller, go up to a 6 mm hook.

Tips Before You Start

• Make all four squares first and lay them out in order (A red, C yellow, D green, E blue) before joining — it's much easier to check the color flow flat than after seaming.
• Keep your ch2 corner spaces loose and consistent; tight corners make the squares cup and the strip won't lie flat against the head.
• The mushroom border is worked along one long edge only, so mark that edge with a stitch marker before you start so you don't accidentally work the wrong side.
• Wool blocks beautifully — a light steam block on the squares before joining makes the seams neater and the finished band flatter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Solid Granny Squares (make 4: one each in A, C, D, E)

Rnd 1: In a magic ring, ch3, 2 dc, [ch2, 3 dc] x3, ch2, sl st to top of ch3 (12 dc, 4 ch2 sps).

Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch2 sp, ch3, 2 dc, ch2, 3 dc in same sp, *3 dc in next sp, ch2, 3 dc in same sp, rep from * around, sl st to top of ch3 (24 dc, 4 ch2 sps).

Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 (36 dc, 4 ch2 sps).

Rnd 4: Sc in every dc and 3 sc in every ch2 sp around, sl st to first sc (48 sc). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Strip

Whipstitch the squares edge to edge through the back loops only, in the order A–C–D–E. Four squares joined = 10 in / 25 cm strip.

Mushroom Border (worked along one long edge, right side facing)

Row 1 (B): Join B in a corner stitch, sc evenly 48 sc across the top edge, turn (48 sc).

Row 2 — stems (G): [Sc, ch1, sc] in first sc, sk1, *[sc, ch1, sc] in next sc, sk1, rep from * 22 times, sc in last st (24 stems).

Row 3 — caps (A): Join A in first ch1 sp, 5 dc in each ch1 sp across, sl st to first dc, turn (120 dc).

Row 4 — dots (G): *Sc in next dc, ch2, sk1, rep from * around, sl st. Fasten off.

Button Tab (F)

Row 1: Join F at one short end, sc 8 evenly along the end edge, turn (8 sc).

Rows 2–3: Sc 8, turn (8 sc).

Row 4: Ch2, sk1, sc 6, turn (buttonhole made).

Row 5: Sc 8. Fasten off.

Edging (C)

Row 1: Join C at the bottom edge, sc evenly 48 sc along the bottom edge, sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the 0.6 in / 1.5 cm button to the opposite short end from the tab, centered and 0.4 in from the edge, using matching yarn or sewing thread. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side, working each end through several stitches before trimming. Block lightly: mist or steam the band, pat the mushroom caps flat, and pin it to a towel to dry so the strip lies straight and the buttonhole stays open.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rainbow squares for two colors alternating (e.g., red and cream) for a more classic look, or use self-striping bulky yarn so each square comes out different without extra ends to weave.
• For a sturdier buttonhole, work Row 4 as ch2, sk1, sc 6 and then sc around the ch2 loop on the next row to reinforce it.
• Make a matching set: work a second strip in the same colors and button them together at both ends for a wider band that suits slightly larger heads (up to 15 in).