How To Crochet Round Headphone Covers / Ear Pads
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Crochet Headphone Covers for any Size
Do you have round headphones that have ear covers / pads which are starting to peel and shed their synthetic material? In this blog post I’m going to show you how to crochet your own round headphone covers as replacements no matter the size.
I made these for myself in order to save my headphones from landfill and avoid needing to buy new synthetic ones and I absolutely love them and wanted to share the pattern with you.
This pattern is for any size of round headphones. My size is quite small so I will also show you how to make them bigger to suit the size of ear pads that you have.
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The pattern is completely free on this page. However, if you would like to support my work you can buy the AD FREE, downloadable PDF with more photos in my shop.
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What to do With the Original Covers?
Is it just me or do these synthetic headphone covers never last? They always seem to begin disintegrating and I wish that more were made of something more eco friendly or biodegradable so we could replace them easily without damaging the environment.
Unfortunately, ear pads / cushions are usually made of synthetic leather, real leather, velour or synthetic foam and the reasons are for comfort, sound quality and noise isolation.
If yours are made of real leather, then you can just pop the original covers in your home compost; be sure that there is no synthetic on the inside before you do this. Only the real leather can be composted.
Any that are made of synthetic material like mine were (mine were synthetic foam which is porous and wears away quickly) unfortunately there is nothing else to do but send them to landfill.
You don’t want any of the micro plastics entering any water systems or spreading around the atmosphere so I would put them in a used bag to contain the shedding and put them in the bin.
Once you have dealt with your shedding covers, you can now make some new fresh ear pads with this easy crochet pattern and a sustainable yarn, see my recommendations below.
Then, if needed in the future, you will be able to replace them again easily and without guilt by simply composting them and making a new set.
Let’s get to the pattern!
More Sustainable Crochet Patterns
Getting Started With The Pattern
What Size Headphones is This Pattern for?
Mine are Sennheiser travel headphones that fold away easily into a small case. The ear pads themselves measure about 5cm in diameter without the cushion. They are also an exact circle which makes the pattern really easy and and the pattern also goes through how to make them larger to fit the size that you have.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video tutorial below or continue scrolling for the written pattern.
What you Will Need
Hook: 4.5mm
Yarn: In total, approx 10 gram / 17 yards / 16 meters of worsted weight yarn.
A really soft yarn that is natural and breathable is preferred so that they are comfortable to wear for a long time. I used Paintbox Yarns Recycled Cotton Worsted in Honey (Colour A) and Steel Blue (Colour B).
You can use any other sustainable, worsted yarn you like that matches the gauge.
Other sustainable yarn suggestions that I think could work really well:
GANXXET - Organic Combed Cotton (100% Organic Cotton - US)
Paintbox Yarns Recycled Cotton Worsted (100% Recycled Cotton - UK)
Ice Yarns Organic Baby Cotton (100% Organic Cotton - Turkey)
Scissors
A Stitch Marker
Elastic Band (optional)
Abbreviations
mr = Magic Ring (see my video tutorial for a recap)
yo = yarn over
st(s) = Stitch(es)
sl st = Slip Stitch (recap how to slip stitch)
sc = Single Crochet (U.K. Double Crochet - recap how to single crochet)
BLO = Back Loop Only
<10> = Numbers in between greater than and less than symbols at the end of each row shows how many stitches you should have at that point.
** = Repeat instructions between the asterisks as many times as it states after the x or until the end of the round.
Gauge
4 sc and 5 rows = 2.5cm (1”)
Notes
Skill level: Easy.
The pattern is written in US crochet terms. Please see the abbreviations section above for conversions to UK terms.
The first stitch of each round is made into the stitch after the join.
The last stitch of each round is made into the marked stitch.
When counting your stitches, be sure to include the marked stitch.
To make the cushion hold onto the earpiece you can crochet the last round tighter than usual, use a smaller hook or crochet the last round over an elastic band.
The Pattern
Using Colour A, mr. (See my Magic Ring tutorial)
Round 1: 6 sc into mr. Pull mr closed and sl st into first sc to join. Mark the join. <6dc>
Round 2: 2 sc into first st after join. 2 sc into each st including the marked st. Sl st into first st of round to join. Mark the join. <12dc>
Round 3: 1 sc in first st, 2 sc in next. * 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st * repeat until end. Sl st into first st of round to join. Mark the join. <18dc>
Round 4: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next two sts. * 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next two sts * repeat until end. Sl st into first st of round to join. Mark the join. <24dc>
To Make a Larger Cover
If you need to make a larger cover, add more rounds here. Be sure to increase by 6 stitches for each additional round you add and alternate where you add the increases like in the previous rounds, to keep the shape circular.
For example:
Round 4.1: * 1 sc in next three, 2 sc in next * repeat until end. Sl st into first st to join. Mark the join. <30dc>
Round 4.2: * 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next four * repeat until end. Sl st into first st to join. Mark the join. <36dc>
… and so on.
Shaping the Edges
Measure the cover against your earpiece to check the size. Once the size of your cover matches the diameter of your earpiece, stop increasing and continue as follows to shape the edges.
Round 5: Working into the BLO, sc into each st. Sl st into BLO of first st of round to join. Mark the join. <24dc>
Round 6: Sc into each st. Sl st into first st of round to join. If changing colours for the last round, use colour B to yo & pull through on the sl st (see photo below). Mark the join.
Making the Last Round
Remember to either crochet this last round a bit tighter than usual, use a smaller hook or crochet around an elastic band.
Round 7: Repeat round 6.
My covers end here but if you have deeper edges, then continue repeating round 6 until you have enough edge to cover the sides of your earpieces.
Cut the end and pull the loop up, so that the end of the yarn is pulled through the st, and tighten.
Weave in your mr end to make sure it holds and either weave in your final end or simply fold it into the inside of the cover before putting it onto your ear piece and you’ve finished your first headphone cover!
Now make another for the second side.
I really hope you enjoyed making this pattern to save your existing headphones instead of buying new ones. Let me know how yours turned out in the comments below.
