Well it looks like masks have become a part of our everyday life, for how long, who knows. Maybe they will go away, but I have a feeling they will never go away forever…not in my lifetime anyway.
Getting your mask to fit properly and comfortably is not easy. I’m referring to the masks that have the elastic on the sides that are placed behind your ears to hold it in place. There are reusable, washable cloth masks and then there are the disposable masks, like surgical masks or N-95 masks. I will show you two different ear savers, one that attaches to a cloth mask and one that I’ve actually modified from it’s original design to go on a disposable mask.
Two main problems with masks
Getting a proper fit on a mask that has ear elastics is hard. I had someone give me a beautiful cloth mask that they had made. While I was very grateful for the gesture the mask did not fit me at all, it was too big and fell right off. I had seen some ear savers that people were crocheting so I made myself one (and made several for others too) and the mask was now useful.
The other problem with masks is that they are pulling on your ears and for those who have to wear them for hours at a time it can cause the backs of your ears to be come irritated. The ear saver helps with that as well.
Still some issues with the “original” ear savers
While I was thrilled that I could now use the beautiful cloth mask, the original ear saver that I made still had a couple of flaws. It was a little tricky to get it on initially, getting the loop over each button on each side and getting it to stay in place took some practice.
This ear saver did not allow you to pull the mask down around your neck if you did not need to have it on for a short period of time. I’m in Instacart Shopper so when I get into the car I like to just drop my mask while I am driving and then replace it when I get to the person’s house. Constantly having to put the ear saver on and off was a hassle and on more than one occasion I dropped it either on the ground or it got caught up in my clothing.
The new and improved ear saver
I thought about it for a bit and came up with two improvements for the ear saver. First, it needs to attach to the cloth mask so it does not fall off…ever. Second it needed a loop at the other end that would go over the button to hold the elastic in place better and more securely. For disposable masks, it can not be attached to the mask, so a loop at each end to go over the button was an easy modification.
Crochet instructions for the new and improved ear saver
Supplies you will need:
Yarn (get out your scraps, it does not take much to make this)
Crochet hook – G
One button for cloth mask – two for disposable mask (I suggest no smaller than 1/2″ and not bigger than 1″)
Needle that will fit through the holes in your button
Scissors
Below is a YouTube video that will walk you through the process of making this ear saver, or continue below for written instructions.
When putting your slip knot onto your hook leave an extra long tail, this will be used to attach your ear saver to your mask.
Chain 25 (you can adjust this depending on how long you need the ear saver to be, the base of mine (not including the loop) measures just over 6″ long.)
Row 1 – sc in first chain from the hook and in each chain to end (24 sc)
Row 2 – ch 1, turn, sc in 1st sc and in each sc across (24 sc)
Row 3 – repeat row 2 (24 sc)
Chain 8 (or however many you need for your button to be able to slip through – I am using a 1″ button)
Slit stitch the chain to the opposite corner of the body of the ear saver creating the loop. Fasten off leaving an extra long tail to attach your button.
Attach button to the end with the loop using the excess yarn from finishing off. After weaving through the button holes a couple of times bring the needle up through the back of the ear saver but not through the button hole. Wrap the yarn around the button stitching 2 or 3 times to create a shank. This will allow the button to sit up a bit higher making it easier to get the loop on and off the button. Pull the yarn back through the ear saver to the back, tie off and weave in your ends.
Attach the ear saver to the elastic on one side of your mask. Loop the ear saver around the elastic bringing the end towards you. Use the excess yarn to stitch the ear saver to itself securing it to the mask elastic. Tie off and weave in your ends.
How to modify the “original ear saver” by adding loops (great to use with disposable masks)
If you have one of the original ear savers with two buttons but no loops here is a simple way to modify that ear saver by adding a loop at each end. This will allow you to use this ear saver on a disposable mask since it can be completely removed as needed, but it will also allow you to pull the mask down to around your neck without the ear saver or mask falling off.
Start by putting your crochet hook through a stitch at one end of the ear saver.
Pull up a loop with your yarn. Now chain 6 – 8 (depending on the size of your button) and slip stitch to the opposite end corner of the ear saver. Fasten off and weave in your ends. Do the same process at the other end of the ear saver. That’s it, super simple and definitely makes a big improvement on the usage of this little gadget!
I hope you have found this helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.