In a world brimming with mass-produced accessories, there’s something truly captivating about a hand-knit creation. Among the vast array of knitted garments, few things match the charm and practicality of an earflap hat. Check out these free earflap hat knitting patterns and you will soon see why they are a must-have for any cold-weather enthusiast.
For those with a passion for knitting, the quest to discover new patterns is only surpassed by the quest to accumulate dragon size hoards of yarn. Luckily, the majority of free earflap hat knitting patterns can be made with a single skein of yarn, so you can make one (or a few) no matter how mismatched your stash is. These patterns not only offer a cost-effective way to expand your hat collection but also provide an opportunity to use up the yarn that you have before embarking on another craft fair expedition.
Join us as we delve into the world of knitting, where yarn transforms into art and needles dance across stitches. Along the way, we’ll discover 25 curated earflap hat knitting patterns that are sure to excite you. Whether you’re looking to knit a practical gift for a loved one or simply want to express your creativity, this article will guide you on a knitting adventure that promises warmth, style, and endless inspiration.
You’ll soon see that fashion meets function in the delightful form of earflap hats. So let’s dive headfirst into this cozy and creative world of free earflap hat knitting patterns!
First, here’s a great video if you are a beginner knitter:
Now, on to our patterns!
Poppy Hat
A colorful accessory is just the thing to chase away the winter blues and the Poppy Hat certainly fits the bill. The self-striping yarn features an array of quick color changes that work up quickly thanks to the bulky weight thickness. Look closely and you will see the textured triangles of purl stitches interrupting the otherwise smooth surface of stockinette stitch. I love the tie option with tassels, too!
Designer: Brenda York for Berroco
Yarn: Berroco Wizard (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Panda Hat
My advice to you is this: be yourself. And if you can’t be yourself, then definitely be a panda instead. It’s impossible not to smile when you see this adorable panda hat! It would be equally great for children and children-at-heart. The hat is worked flat in rows of stockinette stitch using intarsia colorwork to create the adorable panda face.
Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Heat Wave (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Parliament of Owls Hat
The next one of our earflap hat knitting patterns is a total hoot! The classic design uses 1×1 rib stitch for the brim and stockinette for the crown of the hat. You’ll knit the eyes and beak separately and then sew them on afterward. Two small tassels are attached at the top of the hat to form the ears. Best of all, it works up quickly using super bulky weight yarn.
Designer: Stana D. Sortor for Knit Picks
Yarn: Knit Picks Snuggle Puff (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Knit Trapper Hat
Don’t be afraid to reach for a luxurious yarn like this cashmere blend for your next earflap hat project. The original design was knit with 4 strands of yarn, but the designer says that you can also use 3 strands of DK weight yarn or 2 strands of aran weight yarn if you would prefer. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with selvage stitches, slip knit pass overs and knit 2 togethers.
Designer: Crazy Hands
Yarn: Bauana Hygge Long Plush Mink Cashmere (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Kids Ear Flap Hat
Keep the kids extra warm and toasty throughout all of the fun winter shenanigans like sledding and snowman building with this cute earflap hat! The beginner friendly design uses only knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers for shaping. First you knit the brim in 1×1 rib stitch, then the crown in stockinette. Finally, you will go back and pick up stitches along the brim to create the ear flaps.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Ear Cozy Hat
Sure, you could make a basic earflap hat that looks like it could be store bought, or you could go bold with this whimsical design. The hat is knit in the round using stockinette stitch. Short row shaping is employed to construct the ear flaps. The back of the hat hangs lower than a traditional beanie, connecting the ear flaps together and providing extra protection from the cold for the back of your neck.
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Linen Quill Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Pinstripe Ear Flaps Toque Hat
If you like to stay on top of the knitting trends then I’m sure you noticed the oversized faux fur pom poms and faux leather tags in this design. The solid colored brim is knit in squishy garter stitch – a welcome contrast to the smoothness of the striped stockinette section. You can make one for the whole family because the free knitting pattern is available in baby, child, and adult sizes.
Designer: Fox & Pine Stitches
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beginner’s Earflap Hat
One of many reasons to love earflap hat knitting patterns is for how unique they can be! This playful design has interesting earflap shapes that naturally curve out and away from the face. Paired with the pointed top and the textured geometric shapes, this design is just pure fun. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit front backs, knit 2 togethers, and slip slip knits.
Designer: Lisa Ellis for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Eco+ Merino (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Merry Ear Flap Hat
A bold color block design is a great way to incorporate multiple colors without having to change colors multiple times and weave in a bunch of extra ends. Why not make this hat in your favorite sports team’s colors? The pattern uses garter stitch for the brim and earflaps along with stockinette stitch for the crown.
Designer: Jake Canton for Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Super Soft Merino (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Ear Flap Hat
Super bulky weight yarn makes short work of this cute and cozy wool earflap hat. The pattern uses 2×2 ribbing for the brim and body of the hat along with knit 2 togethers and purl 2 togethers to shape the crown of the hat. Afterwards, you’ll pick up stitches along the brim to add the ear flaps and the front flap.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Loops & Threads Cozy Wool (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Elatius Aviator Hat
Do you live somewhere that gets seriously cold? If so, then this is the earflap hat for you! First you knit the hat in wool and then you knit the hat again using the faux fur yarn. Finally, you will attach the two hats together along the edges using single crochet stitches. So the lovely soft fur doesn’t just warm your ears, it actually warms your whole head!
Designer: Stine Radicke
Yarn: Go Handmade Fur Lux and
Happy Sheep BabyWool (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Winter Baby Hat
Earflap hat knitting patterns are perfect for every member of the family but especially for infants. These designs not only protect those tiny ears from the cold but they can also be tied underneath the chin so they don’t fall off. You can make this one for the baby in your life (or for one on the way) using knit and slip stitches along with yarn overs.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Merino Extra Fine (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Jayne Cobb Hat – Firefly
Fans of the cult classic television show Firefly are sure to recognize this iconic earflap hat! If you know someone that is obsessed with this show, then they are sure to appreciate receiving this hat as a gift. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with slip slip knits. The body of the hat is knit first and then you’ll pick up stitches along the brim to add the ear flaps.
Designer: Geek Out Yarn Creations
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Huldra Hat
Most earflap hat knitting patterns are quite fitted, so this slouchy design is a welcome change of pace. I love the self striping yarn used here and I especially love the tassels on the ties. There’s even a little tassel at the top! The hat pattern is worked from the bottom up starting with the ear flaps using stockinette stitch both in rows and in rounds.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Brioche Ear Flap Hat
Where are my experienced knitters at? Stretch your skills and show off a little bit with this stunning brioche earflap hat. This is a great project for practicing your two color brioche skills. As an added benefit, the extra stretchy nature of brioche stitch is perfect for a hat. After all, there’s nothing worse than knitting a hat that ends up being too small!
Designer: Jessalations
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted and
Manos del Uruguay Maxima (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Itsy Bitsy Bobble Hat
Many earflap hat knitting patterns call for worsted, bulky, or super bulky weight yarn. But don’t count this fingering weight design out just yet! The fine gauge of the design makes a very solid and cozy surface if you’re willing to dedicate the time to make it. The brim and ear flaps are made in garter stitch which contrasts nicely with the stockinette stitch crown.
Designer: Sarah Hatton
Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep 4ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Earflap Hat
Who doesn’t love cake? Of course, I’m talking about cake yarn not the dessert! This design uses stockinette stitch and self-striping cake yarn to make a playful and colorful earflap hat. It works up so quickly and easily that you will definitely want to make more than one. Make one for yourself and one to give away!
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Mega Cakes (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dino Stripes Knit Hat
Inspire their imagination with this fun and colorful dinosaur inspired design. It might look a little intimidating, but even beginner knitters can tackle this stockinette stitch pattern. As an added bonus, this project is perfect for using up partial skeins of yarn that you have leftover from other projects.
Designer: Melody Rogers for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Snowflake Hat
I’ve never seen earflap hat knitting patterns quite like this one before! The pattern is worked flat in back and forth rows – all in one piece. Moss stitch is used for the textured sides while 4 and 6 stitch cables are used to create the central motif of X’s and O’s running up and over the crown of the hat. It’s a design that is sure to turn some heads and catch some eyes!
Designer: NicNac Co
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® Superwash (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Hello Kitten Hat
It doesn’t get much cuter than an adorable little baby with a pink cat hat. The sides of the hat are made with softly textured garter stitch and the central part of the hat uses a lovely wave stitch pattern for some added interest. You could make it as part of a Halloween costume or for every day wear. Meow!
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Grande Ear Flap Hat
This is the first one of our earflap hat knitting patterns that calls for jumbo weight yarn, so it just might be the quickest one to make. The pattern calls for the mini basket weave stitch but there’s nothing miniature about that texture! This swift and satisfying design is fun to make and even more fun to wear. Just don’t blame me if all your friends want you to make one for them too!
Designer: Susie Bonell
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Spuntaneous (Jumbo Weight #7)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Zoya Hat
If you prefer your accessories to be a bit more understated, then you are sure to appreciate teh simplicity of this next design. The pattern uses the stockinette stitch throughout and it embraces the rolled brim look. Making it in a neutral color like the one shown is a great way to ensure that it will match with your outfit no matter what you throw on!
Designer: Emily Nora O’Neil
Yarn: Berroco Macro (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Urban Blizzard Hat
You’ll get lots of practice using the fair isle colorwork technique while knitting this lovely winter hat. The snowflakes are a great seasonal touch to the design that can be worn all winter long. My favorite aspect of the design are the super long ties with fluffy pom poms on the ends. The ear flaps are knit separately from the hat and then attached afterward.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Baby Earflap Hat
Beginner knitters, this one’s for you! You can complete this cute color block ear flap hat design using stockinette and garter stitches. The pattern calls for my favorite weight of yarn and I think that you’ll find that it’s very easy to work with. It even shows you how to make a quick pom pom out of yarn so you can match the optional pompom color to the hat color perfectly.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids and
Caron Simply Soft Brites (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mixed Aviator Hat
Stockinette stitch tends to steal the spotlight, but there’s always room in my heart for a good garter stitch design. The texture and squishiness of garter stitch are especially perfect for an earflap hat design! Even better, the use of two different kinds of yarn here really highlights the contrast between the front flap, the ear flaps, and the rest of the hat.
Designer: Laura Bain
Yarn: Red Heart Mixology Solids and
Red Heart Mixology Swirl (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Earflap Hat Knitting Patterns
Move over beanies, because there’s a new favorite hat style in town. I hope that these free earflap hat knitting patterns inspired you! I really love the extra warmth from this great winter accessory. My favorite is to use a chunky yarn or super bulky yarn and the magic loop method with circular knitting needles. Sometimes I’ll even add a fun crochet edge and my favorite way to add the ties is to do a braided tassel.
I love making both adult hats and ones that fit children’s heads (with four boys I have a lot of different sizes I can fit lol). The kids love wearing these in cold weather, especially those rare winters it snows here in the South. These also make great Christmas presents!
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I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
I hope you enjoyed this list of free earflap hat patterns! Be sure to check out our easy knit hat patterns and knit hats for men, too!
Happy Knitting!
