Bulky EarFlap Hat

A FREE pattern as promised. (with thanks to Cathy C.)

Bulky EarFlap Hat for many sizes

This pattern works great for those of you who have leftovers that seem too small in yardage to make something by themselves but still too much to throw away.  The blue (CC) in this hat is hand spun and the grey is natural alpaca/wool (MC) I had sitting around.

A rolled brim, warm earflap hat with braided ties.  Looks great on everyone.

Easy to Intermediate Level Knitting. 

Sizes: 9-12mo (Toddler, Child, Small, Medium, Large)

Fits heads 16”(18, 19, 20, 21, 22) around.

Hat Measurements 15(16.75, 18, 18.75, 20, 21)”

Needles: US 10 / 3.73mm 16” circs plus dpns for ear flaps and crown of hat & baby size.  Or size to make gauge.

Gauge: 3 st/in in st st.  Row gauge not needed as we use inches for lengths.

Notions: Stitch markers

Yarn: Approx 30-55 yds of Main Color (depending on size being worked) of bulky yarn. Contrasting Color will be 35-70yds of bulky.

Ear Flaps

Make two the same.  These will convex curve so that they fit nicely over ears.

Using US 10 dpns cast on 2(3, 3, 2, 3, 3) stitches in CC.

Most rows begin with slip 1 purlwise and end with k thru back loop.

Row 1 (RS): ktbl, k to last st, ktbl

Row 2 WS : sl1p, pbf, purl to last 2st, pbf, ktbl

Row 3 (RS): sl1p,kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, ktbl

Cont with rows 2 & 3 until you have 8(9, 11, 12, 13, 14) sts

Work even in stockinette until flap measures 2(2.25, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5)”

    Remember to start each row with sl1 purlwise and end with ktbl.

Hold these 2 cuties on their dpns for a bit later.

Hat Body

Note - If making hat without earflaps – cast on total number of stitches and ignore ear-flap instructions.

1.    With circular needle, and MC cast on using a long-tail stretchy method or a larger needle, 45(50, 54, 56, 60, 63) stitches. Join without twisting and place a Beginning Of Round marker at this point.

2.    Knit around for 3 rounds making a curled edge.

Attaching the earflaps

On the next round, knit 4(5, 5, 6, 7, 7) sts then:

1.    Place one earflap on its dpn behind the circular needle – right side of flap to wrong side of hat both right sides face you as the knitter.

2.    Working in stockinette stitch - work a stitch from each needle together as you would with 1 stitch. (This is similar to working 2 stitches together – EXCEPT each stitch is on a different needle.) You will be joining the hat body to the earflap without increasing any stitches.

3.    Knit another 21(22, 22, 20, 20, 21) sts and then attach the second flap in the same way as the first.  Complete the round.

4.    Work one round in purl using CC. Do not cut off CC. Twist up BOR, pulling taut, until needed.

      Hat sides

Striping Pattern 1: 2 rounds MC, 2 rounds CC, 1 round MC, 2 rounds CC starting just above the purl round then again just before the purl round* near the crown.

Knit around for ~3(3.25, 3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 5) total inches from the garter ridge or desired length before crown decrease.

·       Measure your 7 round striping.  Subtract this number from the total inches for your size. 

At that point work another striping set as follows:

Striping Pattern 2: 2 rounds CC, 1 round MC, 2 rounds CC, 2 rounds MC.

Purl 1 round in CC.

Crown

Can be worked all in MC or concentric circle colors as follows:

*2 rounds MC, 2 rounds CC*  making concentric circles

Round 1 – *K 3(3, 4, 5, 8, 7), sl 1 as to purl, k1, pass slipped st over k st* - Repeat from * to * to complete round.

Round 2 and all even rows: Knit even - no dec.

Round 3 - *K 2(2, 3, 4, 7, 6), sl 1, k1, pass slipped st over k st*.

Round 5 - *K 1(1, 2, 3, 6, 5), sl 1, k1, psso*.

Change to dpns when sts become hard to move around the needle.

Round 7 - *K 0(0, 1, 2, 5, 4), sl 1, k1, psso*.

·       Baby and toddler finish as below.

Round 9 - *K –(-, 0, 1, 4, 3), sl 1, psso*.

·       Child finish as below.

·       Medium – knit one more round even then finish as below.

    Rounds 11 - *K –(-, -, 0, 3, 2), sl 1, psso*.

·       Small finish as below

o   For medium continue until *k1, sl1, psso*

o   For large continue until *k0, sl1, psso*

§  Finish as below.

Finishing

Cut yarn 6 - 7 inches from end of last round, thread an embroidery needle and pull through all remaining stitches twice around – pull taut and then to inside of hat. Knot and weave yarn end in to secure the stitches.

Add Pompom, button or tassel as desired to center crown.

Braids:

Measure out, in both colors, four lengths of yarn each measuring about a yard or meter.   Put a length of each color together and thread between stitches a couple rows up and to the right of center from bottom of one earflap.  Pull through until ends meet each other.  Do this again with another 2 but place it to the left of center. Place the hat on something that will hold it secure and braid the yarns (not tightly) until you have 12 – 15” of cording, incorporating the beginning tail into the braid as far as it will go. Make a knot near the end of this braid then cut the remaining yarn to 2-3 inches long. 

Do the same with the remaining yarn on the other earflap.

Weave in yarn ends and block on a balloon or overturned mixing bowl.

 

© Susan Sarabasha  3/13        sarabasha@earthlink.net   For personal use only.