{DIY} Unicorn Ear Warmers

{making}

I'm sure for a lot of people getting in shape/starting a workout routine/losing weight was a top choice of New Year's Resolution.  I can't say that it exactly was for me because {1}I don't really do New Year's resolutions and {2}I try to stick with a routine of regular exercise year round.  I must admit though, that with the holidays I really fell out of my routine, so while it's not really a resolution I am finding myself having to get back into the routine in this new year.  For me I just don't do well trying to work out indoors (unless it's a dance studio), my best regular exercise routine is being outside, so I try to walk several miles at least 4 or 5 days a week. I have to admit that there were a couple years there (right after I stopped teaching dance - go figure) that I really got pretty out of shape and as I'm getting older I'm finding it harder to get back in shape, so while I'm finding myself not making it quite as far as I used to (and I used to jog part of the way, yeah that ain't happening right now lol), it is important to me to stay motivated and work on getting back to where I'd like to be.  A great source of motivation of course is new workout clothes ;D and I also realized that I needed better cold weather gear (trust me this is way more complicated to achieve for me than you might think it would be, it's important to make sure you're not straining cold muscles, but at the same time I get hot really easily so I need gear that will both keep me warm at the start, but not be too hot by the end).  Luckily for me Walmart happened to have a bunch of long sleeve moisture wicking type "active-wear" on clearance the other day when I was in there.  I also grabbed some ear warmers and gloves.  I was all set I thought, until I saw a knitting pattern on pinterest for different animal earwarmers...... and one of them was a unicorn! Now knitting is not my strong suit..... I can do a basic knit stitch and make like a scarf.... sometimes..... but that's about the extent of my knitting skills, but I thought... "maybe I could make something similar out of fleece".  Then I remembered the {pink} ear warmers I had just bought and I thought "maybe I can add little ears and a small horn to the pre-made earwarmers"......

And so I did.

So...... if you're finding yourself in the need for some cold weather gear and want to be as awesomely cool as me (hahaha) here's how you can make one for yourself.

{DIY} <Unicorn Earwarmers

What you'll need:

~ Fleece or knit ear warmers (the one I got had a knit layer on the outside and fleece on the inside)
        -or- Fleece and a pattern to make your own
~ two small pieces of felt in a color to match the ear warmers
~ a small piece of fleece for the horn (white or gold/yellow or silver/gray - or whatever color you want)
~ white embroidery floss (or to match the horn color - or a contrasting color to match the ear warmer)
~ a small amount of fiber fill
~ sewing needle and thread (to match horn and ear colors)
~ patterns for ears and horn (to get the same size as mine make sure this file prints at 8.5x11 in.)

Instructions:

{1} if you're making your own head band follow your pattern to make it, if not go ahead and skip to step two
{2} put on your ear warmers, and making sure that it is positioned properly/comfortably, mark the location where you want the horn and ears to be, position the horn about in the middle of the band and the ears more towards the back. (I didn't actually do this step, but I did also end up taking my ears off after the first try and doing them again, so it's probably best to actually take a minute to do this)
{3} cut horn pattern piece out of fleece. Fold the piece so that the straight edges match up and the right side of the fleece is on the inside. Sew along the straight edge leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Trim seam allowance (especially at the tip so that it will still be a tip when you turn it) Turn right side out (it should make a cone/horn shape now).

I just sewed this by hand because my sewing machine wasn't out and it would have been more effort to get it out and set up than to just sew it by hand, but you could certainly use a machine

{4} thread your needle with a piece of embroidery floss long enough to spiral around the horn several times, knot the end of the floss and bring it through the top of the horn from the inside and leave a good long amount hanging from the top of the horn (we'll do something with it in a minute). Stuff the horn with fiberfill (you want it well filled, but not stuffed too tight). 

{5} sew the horn onto the ear warmer at the location you marked earlier, folding the bottom edge of the fleece under as/before you sew. Wrap the embroidery floss around the horn spiraling down from the top, and pulling it just tight enough to leave a little ridge in the horn.  When you get to the bottom take a couple stitches in place along the bottom edge and tie it off
 

{6} Cut two ear pieces out of felt.  fold the bottom edges in to the middle and then fold the sides to the middle again.  Take a few stitches across the bottom near the front edge to secure.  Then cut a small slit up the back of the ear at the bottom making two small flaps (you'll use these to sew the ears to the ear warmer)

 {7} sew the ears onto the ear warmer at the locations you marked earlier, angling the ears slightly away from the horn.

{8} try the ear warmer on one last time to check and make sure everything is positioned and attached properly, and you are all done!
{9} proudly wear your awesome new ear warmer for your next outdoor activity!

not the greatest picture of me, but hey I was getting ready to head out for a walk............ lol