The Eared Hat: A Knitted Hat Pattern

Have you ever searched every store for the perfect hat, only to come up empty-handed? Knitting your own is the perfect solution. It’s a chance to create a unique and special accessory that fits your style perfectly. The hat below is a great project that’s both fun to make and cozy to wear.

Materials & Gauge

• Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn (approx. 100g)
• Knitting Needles: Size US 7 (4.5 mm) or size to obtain gauge
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

Knitting the Hat Body

1. Cast on 10 stitches and begin knitting in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row).
2. Increase Row 1: Knit into the front and back of each stitch (KFB) across the row. You should have 20 stitches.
3. Increase Row 2: [KFB, knit 1] repeat across the row. You should have 30 stitches.
4. Increase Row 3: [KFB, knit 2] repeat across the row. You should have 40 stitches.
5. Increase Row 4: [KFB, knit 3] repeat across the row. You should have 50 stitches.
6. Continue increasing in this manner until you reach 80 stitches.
7. Knit straight in stockinette stitch until your work measures approximately 6 inches (15 cm) from the cast-on edge.

Dividing for the Ears

You will now divide the stitches to create the ear flaps.

1. Work across the row:
   • Nape 1: Knit 8 stitches.
   • Ear 1: Knit 12 stitches.
   • Front: Knit 30 stitches.
   • Ear 2: Knit 12 stitches.
   • Nape 2: Knit 8 stitches.
2. Knit the First Ear: Place all stitches except the 12 stitches for the first ear on a stitch holder.
3. Continue to knit the 12 ear stitches in stockinette stitch. At the beginning of every row, decrease one stitch at each side until you have 4 stitches remaining. Bind off all 4 stitches.
4. Repeat the same process for the second ear flap.

Finishing

1. Hat Band: Pick up and knit stitches along the entire bottom edge of the hat, including the ear flaps and the front and back sections. You should have a total of 102 stitches.
2. Knit 3 rows in garter stitch (knit every row).
3. Bind off all stitches.
4. Cinch the top: Using a yarn needle and a length of yarn, thread the yarn through the cast-on stitches at the top of the hat. Pull the yarn tight to gather the stitches and create the rounded crown.
5. Seam: Sew the back seam of the hat from the bottom of the band up to the crown.
6. Pompoms: Create two small pompoms and attach them to the points of the ear flaps. Make a larger pompom and attach it to the top of the hat.

The hat is complete! Enjoy your new cozy, unique creation.