Odette Swan Lake Ear Warmers Crochet Pattern

A few years ago, I tackled one of my largest projects. I learned how to crochet the crocodile stitch and then created my very own mermaid blanket from scratch without a crochet pattern.

I guess you can say that was my first time designing my own crochet piece!

I love the texture of the crocodile stitch and it worked perfectly well with mermaid tail blankets as it gives it a fish scale look.

However, even though I loved this crochet stitch, I could not think of what else I could do with it other than mermaid blankets. And because my mermaid blanket was so humongous, I did not think I would ever make another one again.

A few weeks ago, while I was watching the movie, Black Swan (starring Natalie Portman). The movie focused on the pressure that's involved in becoming a ballerina in the dance/entertainment industry and how it affects mental health. 

But at the same time, I can't help but admired the strength, beauty, and grace of how ballerinas move across the stage.

I particularly loved the outfits. One thing from the movie that really caught my eye was Natalie Portman's Odette headpiece. They looked like ear warmers! I loved the angelic look of the feathers that paired with her ballerina outfit so well.

I thought to myself, "I can make that". And that's when went exploring with the crocodile stitch again.

So I present to you, Odette (Swan Lake) Ear Warmers!

I love turning these movie and TV-inspired pieces into everyday wear, just like when I made my Rapunzel Braided Scarf and the Coronation Beanie. And this is my first time making ear warmers!

Now you can also connect with your inner ballerina and wear this throughout winter.

Crocheting the crocodile stitch can be a little tricky and intimidating at first. So please forgive me as the instructions might be a bit wordy because I was trying to be as clear as possible.

To help you understand the crochet pattern a bit better, I have included photos as well as a chart/graph of how to crochet the crocodile stitch after the written instructions.

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This crochet pattern is available for FREE on this website. However, if you'd like an ad-free, printable PDF version, you may purchase it for a small fee from my Ravelry shop.

What You Need / Materials

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• Worsted weight yarn in the color of your choice (I used Red Heart Super Saver in White)
• 5.0mm Crochet Hook
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors

Stitches & Abbreviation

• ch - chain
• slst - slip stitch
• dc - double crochet
• v-stitch (v-st) - [dc, ch2, dc] into the same st
• scale-stitch (scale-st) - 5 dc down the first dc post of the v-st made from the previous row, ch 1, 5 dc up the second dc post of the v-st made from the previous row

Ear Warmers Crochet Pattern

Part 1

Row 1: Ch 4, dc into the first ch (this is your first v-st) [pic 1]

Row 2: Ch 3, 4 dc into the ring, ch 1, 5 dc into the ring (this is your first scale) [pic 2-4]

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch), turn, dc into the same st as the beginning chain (this is your first v-st), v-st into the center of the scale, v-st in the last st (3 v-sts) [pic 5-7]

Row 4: Ch 3, turn, 4 dc down the first post of the v-st,  ch 1, 5 dc up the second post of the v-st, skip the next v-st, work a scale-st in the next v-st (2 scale-sts) [pic 8-10]

Row 5: Ch 4, turn, dc into the same st, v-st into the center space of the scale, v-st between the two scales (making sure that you catch the yarn that connects the two scales [pic 11]), v-st into the center space of the scale, v-st into the last st (5 v-sts) [pic 11-13]

Row 6: Ch 3, turn, 4 dc down the first post of the v-st, ch 1, 5 dc up the second post of the first v-st, [skip the next v-st, work a scale-st in the next v-st] x 2 times (3 scale-sts) [pic 14]

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, slst into the center space of the scale, ch 3, v-st between the two scales, v-st into the center space of the next scale, v-st between the two scales, dc into the center space of the next scale, leave the rest of the stitches unworked (3 v-sts) [pic 15-17]

Row 8: Turn, scale stitch in the first v-st, skip the next v-st, work a scale-st in the next v-st, slst into the chain space (2 scale-sts) [pic 18]

Row 9-20: Repeat rows 5-8 until you have 10 rows of scales.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Part 2

Row 1-20: Repeat Part 1, but instead of fastening off, continue to crochet the back of the headband

Row 21: Ch 2, turn, dc into the center space of the scale, dc between the two scales, dc into the center space of the next scale, dc into the last st

Row 22: Ch 2, turn, [dc between the two sts] x 4 times 

Row 23-32: repeat Row 22

Row 33: Ch 2, turn, slst to join to first wing, [dc between the two sts of the band, slst to join to the first wing] x 4 times

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Part 3

Now you have two beautiful wings joined together, you just need to join the top of the wings to finish it off.

Row 1: Sc join to the back of the first scale (at the v-st) of one of the wings, ch 12-15 (depending on your head size), sc join to the back of the first scale of the second wing [Refer to the last photo below]

Row 2: Slst in all the ch sts and join at the beginning of the ch to the wing.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Did you make your own Odette Ear Warmers? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.

This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.

You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please clearly credit the design to me, Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!