EARFLAP HAT(with or without tassel)
SKILL LEVEL: Easy – Intermediate
Hat is knitted from the ties up to the top of the hat using DOUBLED (2 strands) yarn. You begin with double pointed needles (dpns) and switch to circulars after earflaps. When there are no longer enough stitches on circulars to knit comfortably. Divide evenly.
SIZES – Small = 19”; (Large = 22”) circumference
MATERIALS:
1 Skein (sk) Schaefer Esperanza (280 yds) 70% Lambswool - 30% Alpaca Blend – Color shown Clara Barton
1 size 15 (10mm) circular needle, 24” (60cm) length – OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.
1 set size 15 double pointed needles (dpns)
Size K crochet hook
One tapestry needle
7” piece of cardboard for tassel
GAUGE: 9 sts and 12 rnds to 4”/10cm using St st using size 15 (10mm) needles.
EARFLAP ONE
Begin with the tassel making i-cord.
With 2 dpns, cast on 3 sts using DOUBLED yarn pulling one strand from the middle of the sk and the other from the outside of the sk. DO NOT TURN. Slide 5 sts to the other end of the needle. Your working yarn will be at the "wrong" end of your work. Pull the working yarn tightly along the back of your work and knit the next row. Continue until i-cord has reached 8” (9”).
Row 1 & 2: Now begin making the earflap by working in St st for 2 rows.
Row 3 right side (RS): K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 – 5 sts.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 – 7 sts.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 – 9 sts.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 10: Purl. Cut yarn, leaving 5” tail. Set aside leaving on needle.
EARFLAP TWO
Work as for Earflap One. Do not cut yarn at end of Row 10. Instead, cast on 5 (6) sts at end of earflap. Slide all onto circular needle.
HAT BODY
Rnd 1: Knitting in the round working now only on RS (knit side), you will be joining hat & earflaps. Knit across 5 (6) cast on sts, 9 sts of Earflap Two, cast on 13 sts (17) sts (front of hat), knit across 9 sts of Earflap One, cast on 5 (6) sts – 41 (47) sts. Place marker for end of rnd, taking care not to twist stitches.
Rnds 2 – 11: Knit.
Rnd 12: (dec) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 – 39 (45) sts.
Rnds 13 – 14: Knit.
Rnd 15: *K5 (6), k2tog; rep from * around – 35 (41) sts.
Rnds 16 – 17: Knit.
Rnd 18: *K4 (5), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnds 19 – 20: Knit.
Rnd 21: *K3 (4), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 22 – 23: Knit.
Rnd 24: *K2 (3), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 25: Knit.
Rnd 26: *K1 (2), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 27: Knit. (if you don’t have 6 (12) sts, do another Rnd of dec to equal 6 (12) sts.
For large size only
Rnd 28: *K2tog; rep from * to marker – 6 sts.
Rnd 29: Knit.
For all sizes
Cut yarn, leaving 8” tail, thread through rem 6 sts and cinch tightly to close.
FINISHING
Edging: With crochet hook and RS facing, attach to center back; single crochet around hat loosely enough to account for hat stretch. When reaching I-cord, slip st behind earflap, continue to center back. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends; except tail at top of hat if you are making tassel.
Tassel (optional)
Wrap yarn around 7” piece of cardboard 8 – 10 times. With separate piece of yarn, tie one end of wrap. Cut strands at opposite end. At 1” below tied end, wrap yarn around strands a few times, then tie off, burying ends in center of tassel. Use long tail at top of hat to attach tassel using tapestry needle. Tie off inside hat. Weave in ends.
