Mini Bean Stitch and Ear Warmer Instructions

One of my favorite stitches to crochet is the mini bean stitch. I love how it works up quick, has a rich texture to it and leaves your crocheted fabric plush and soft. Seriously, what could be better than this?

The mini bean stitch is pretty simple to learn. Today I am going to show you exactly how to crochet it step by step. Then, I will give you a way to practice your new stitch by working up a fun Ear Warmer.

Mini Bean Stitch Ear Warmer Pattern

How to Begin your Ear Warmer

I will start off by walking you through the stitch step by step. Then, at the end of the tutorial you can watch my YouTube video to make sure you understand each step correctly.

Use a Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm) and about 100 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Red Heart Amore in the color, restful, and love how soft the headband came out. In fact, I was able to make 2 headbands with 1 skein of yarn.

Mini Bean Twist Ear Warmer

Gauge is not essential in this pattern but make sure your stitches are not so tight that the fabric is stiff. If you want to match my gauge it is as follows: using crochet hook I, 9 mini bean stitches and 14 rows resulted in a 4 inch square.

Begin the Ear Warmer Pattern

  • You will want to begin working with an odd number of stitches.
  • Begin with a beginning chain of 20.
  • Single Crochet in the 2nd chain from your hook and each chain to the end of the row and turn.
  • For Row 2, single crochet in each stitch across the row and turn.

How to Crochet the Mini Bean Stitch

  • Always begin your row with a chain 1, insert your hook into the first stitch and pull up a loop.
  • Yarn over and insert your hook back into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.
  • You will now have 4 loops on our hook, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on your hook.
  • Chain 1, skip next stitch, repeat bean stitch in next stitch
  • Repeat across entire row.
  • For the 2nd row of mini bean stitches, you will chain 1 and turn.
  • Complete a mini bean in top of the mini bean from the last row, skip the chain and work the next mini bean in top of the mini bean of the prior row.
  • Continue working mini bean stitch rows until your ear warmer reaches 19 1/2 inches long

See How to Crochet the Mini Bean Stitch

If you are like me, watching a tutorial is very helpful, so I created this YouTube video just for you. Click HERE to watch it on YouTube and subscribe, or just watch below:

How to Finish Ear Warmers & Sew Twisted Seam

  • Crochet 2 more rows of single crochets and then fasten off leaving a long tail of yarn you will use to sew the ends together.
  • To get the “twist” in the headband, follow this easy tutorial you can see by CLICKING HERE.

This is another fun part in making the mini bean ear warmers. I put together a tutorial on how to sew the ends together to give it that perfect twist. Click HERE to watch a quick tutorial and finish your project.

Woven Shells Hat & Cowl Crochet Pattern

I am so excited for the new Woven Shells Hat & Cowl Crochet Pattern. This was inspired by Jennifer in my Crochet & Conversation Group. Which by the way, if you are not a part of, you better come join us by clicking, HERE.

Last week I asked what stitches folks would like to see in a pattern. Jennifer posted the Woven Shells Stitch and I already had the cowl so decided to make a set and add a beautiful hat to go with it!

Woven Shells Set crochet pattern

A Beautiful Set to stay warm and look great

I love how the stitches used in the Woven Shells creates an actual weave look to them. The rich texture shows in the basic cowl design that lays flat with the folded neckline. The hat boasts the same woven look in the main body with a traditional ribbed brim.

Where to get the patterns:

If you get the Set which includes both the hat and cowl, you will get them at a discounted price. Or you can purchase the hat and/or cowl separately if you choose. I offer all options on the following sites (look further in the post to find the individual patterns):

  • Ravelry: Get the entire set HERE
  • Etsy: Get the entire set HERE

How about that Hat?

The Woven Shells Hat pattern comes in sizes for Child, Teen/Ladies, and Adult/Men. You can make it in a beautiful striping yarn, a solid color, or add a couple colors for some design pop. Then just decide if you want to add the optional pom… so many decisions you may just have to make more than one.

Woven Shells Hat Woven Shells Hat pattern

Grab the Woven Shells Hat pattern on Ravelry, HERE.

The Must Have Cowl

The Woven Shells Cowl comes in a one size and will fit most teens and adults, the pattern for just the cowl can be found on Ravelry, HERE.

Woven Shells Cowl

More Cowl Patterns you may Love:

More Crochet Fun

Follow Sweet Potato 3 on Facebook to see more pattern releases, sales and crochet fun, just click HERE.

However, if you would enjoy a more interactive group experience, you need to join my Crochet & Conversations facebook group, click HERE. It is a ton of fun and I encourage everyone to share their projects, WIPS (works in progress) and inspirations. Plus you get exclusive deals, are the first to see new releases, give input on designs and have opportunities to win patterns. Join now and get to know others who also enjoy the art of crochet.

pattern group

Free Rock the Block Blanket Pattern & Tutorial

I love learning new stitches with fun textures! When those stitches work up quick it is an added bonus. I know I am not the only one. Earlier this year I released a section of a CAL and everyone kept talking about how much they LOVE the stitch. I immediately knew I had to share the block stitch with everyone.

Rock the Block Blanket

This specific block stitch has so many names that I am just calling it the Rock the Block Blanket. You will also hear it called the grid stitch, boucan stitch, leaping stripes and many more… but essentially, it is one of many different types of block stitch.

Today I am going to share with you how to work up this fun stitch and give you the pattern to work up this fun blanket in any size you want! I will also show you how to get over 6 different looks with this simple stitch pattern. So make sure you stay with me to the end.

Another HUGE advantage of working this block stitch is that the edges of the blanket are left clean. There is NO need to work an edge, WaHOO!!! I can hear you all shouting with JOY right now!

One Block Stitch / 6 Different Looks

Now this is my favorite part. Check out all the different looks you can achieve by working the block stitch. As you see all these versions, just start imagining the colors and patterns you can create as you make your Rock the Block Blanket.

Rock the Block Solid Rock the Block

Rock the Block Rock the Block

Rock the Block Rock the Block

Rock the Block Pattern

What Size?

First you need to decide what size of blanket you would like to make and make a note of the width and length. Here is a good visual for blanket sizes I found online (unfortunately I don’t know who the image belongs to so I cannot give proper credit).

Blanket Size

What Pattern or How many Colors?

Yep, you have to pick one of them. I know it can be difficult but decide if you want to use one color, 2 colors or more. Then decide if you want to make your blanket with a specific pattern (1 row repeats, 2 row repeats, random, etc.), see the images earlier in this post to help you decide or watch this tutorial to see each one is worked.

Begin your Project:

Crochet a foundation row in multiples of 4 sc until the desired width is reached.

R1: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, [ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts], repeat [] until 5 sts remain, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, turn

R2: Ch 4 (counts as hdc + ch 2), skip next 3 sts, [dc in next 2 skipped sts from 2 rows prior, ch 2, skip next 2 sts], repeat [] to last st, hdc in last st, turn Note: Dc in this and following rows will be worked around/over the chain sp of the prior row, ch sp will be covered by the dc.

R3: Ch 2 (counts as a hdc), dc in next 2 skipped sts from 2 rows prior, [ch 2, skip next 2 sts, dc in next 2 skipped sts from 2 rows prior], repeat [] to last st, hdc in 2nd ch of beg ch, turn

Repeat R2 & R3 until desired length is reached

Final Row: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, [dc in next 2 skipped sts from 2 rows prior, sc in next 2 sts of current row], repeat [] to last st, sc in last st, fasten off and weave in all ends

Rock the Block

I hope you love crocheting the Rock the Block Blanket as much as I did. In case you wanted to know how I worked the sample blanket up, below are my specific notes. I made this blanket as a stash buster, using up some of the yarn in my closet. I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn the a Crochet Hook I.

Begin with C1 (Light Grey) Complete R1-R15

Switch to C2 (Aruba) Complete R16-R32

Switch to C3 (Turqua) Complete R33-R35

Switch to C4 (Orchid) Complete R36-R38

Switch to C5 (Aran) Complete R39-R49

Switch to C4 (Orchid) Complete R50-R52

Switch to C6 (Amethyst) Complete R53-R65

Switch to C3 (Turqua) Complete R66-R68

Switch to C4 (Orchid) Complete R69-R73

Switch to C1 (Light Grey) Complete R74-R90

Switch to C3 (Turqua) Complete R91-R93

Switch to C2 (Aruba) Complete R94-R108

Switch to C4 (Orchid) Complete R109-R111

Switch to C3 (Turqua) Complete R112-R114

Switch to C5 (Aran) Complete R115-R128

Switch to C6 (Amethyst) Complete R129-R139

Switch to C1 (Light Grey) Complete R140-R156 + Final Row

And that sums it all up! If you give this pattern a try, please share your final project on Sweet Potato 3’s facebook page so everyone can see how beautiful it really is.