Cuddly Critter Ear Flap Hat – Pattern!
I designed this cuddly critter hat for a friend of mine who was having a baby earlier this spring. It came out so cute that I wanted to share the pattern. Although I made mine in 2 colors, it would also look cute in a solid color, or even stripes! Right now, the pattern is only written for a size small (14″ circumference) which should fit a 3-6 month old. I plan to revise the pattern at some point in the future with size medium (16″), large (18″), and x-large (20″). Of course, you can vary the size by playing around with yarn gauge and needles size.
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn (I used Debbie Stoller Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe)
- Size 6 circular needles
- Size 6 dp needles
- Size G crochet hook (for ears)
Guage
- 5 stitches to the inch
First Earflap
- CO 5 stitches
- Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
- Row 2: K1, K into F/B, K1, K into F/B, K1 (7 stitches)
- Row 3: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
- Row 4: K1, K into F/B, K1, P1, K1, K into F/B, K1 (9 stitches)
- Row 5: (K1, P1) 4 times, K1
- Row 6: K1, K into F/B, K1, P1 (2 times) K1, K into F/B, K1 (11 stitches)
- Row 7: (K1, P1) 5 times, K1
- Row 8: K1, K into F/B, K1, P1 (3 times) K1, K into F/B, K1 (13 stitches)
- Row 9: (K1, P1) 6 times, K1
- Row 10: K1, K into F/B, K1, P1 (4 times) K1, K into F/B, K1 (15 stitches)
- Row 11: (K1, P1) 7 times, K1
- Repeat row 11 4 times; place onto stitch holder
Second Earflap
- Follow instructions for first earflap up through row 11.
- Repeat row 11 5 times (rather than 4)
- Leave second earflap on working needles
Body of Hat
- With second earflap on needles, CO 16 stitches (this will become the back of the hat)
- Knit first earflap off the stitch holder onto the working needles
- CO 24 stitches (this will become the front of the hat)
- Place marker and join in the round (70 stitches)
- Row 1: (K1, P1) 35 times
- Row 2 (P1, K1) 35 times (establish seed stitch pattern)
- Repeat rows 1 & 2 until hat measures 1 inch
- Switch color (optional)
- Continue in stockinette (knit all stitches) until hat measures 4 inches tall
Shape Crown
- Row 1: (K12, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 2: (K11, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 3: (K10, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 4: (K9, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 5: (K8, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 6: (K7, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 7: (K6, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 8: (K5, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 9: (K4, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 10: (K3, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 11: (K2, K2tog) 5 times
- Row 12: (K1, K2tog) 5 times (10 stitches remaining)
- Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches
Critter Ears (optional)
- Using color A, make a ‘magic loop’
- Row 1: sc into loop 5 times, ch1, turn
- Row 2: skip 1st stitch, 2sc into each stitch (8 stitches), ch1, turn
- Row 3: skip 1st stitch, 2sc into each stitch (14 stitches), ch1 turn
- Row 4: skip 1st stitch, (2sc, 1 sc) repeat 6 times, switch to color B, ch1, turn
- Row 5: sc into each stitch; tie off
Ties (each side)
- Pick up 4 stitches on bottom of first earflap (right side facing you)
- Work in I-cord until desired length is reached
- Bind off and tie a decorative knot at the end
If you decided to make your own, please post a link to a pic!