We don’t usually get a whole lot of cold weather here in middle Tennessee. About half an inch of snow on the road will close school and we don’t get down to single digits very often. This year, however, has been a bit of a change! We saw a very cold snap this week where temperatures were below zero for the first time in over a decade.
My oldest son asked me to make him a “snow hat” so I decided to whip up a simple earflap hat that would keep his little noggin warm. I needed something that didn’t take long because I was working on several magazine projects at the time so I used a large hook and this hat was created easily in a day! The only stitch used is single crochet, so it is fairly beginner-friendly as long as you can join rows and work in the round. My oldest son wouldn’t model it for me, so I had to get little brother to do it, and as you can see, he did a fine job. He is one year old and it fits him well and also fits my four year old.
Several people have tested this pattern out for me and found that with Aran yarn you might need a K hook. I still needed a size L but whichever works for your yarn is great. This was tried with several different Aran yarns and turned out really well.
The model on my son was made with Mission Falls 1824 Wool, which has been discontinued so I made another hat with Malabrigo Worsted. I have to tell you I am in love with the Malabrigo yarn now. Believe it or not this was the first time working with it! Now I am envisioning many more projects in my future…
Toddler Earflap Hat
By Amanda Saladin
What You’ll Need
YARN
Malabrigo Worsted, 3.53 oz/100g, each approx 210 yards/192 meters (wool): 1 ball #247 Whales Road
Crochet Hook
· Size L (8.0mm) crochet hook or any size to obtain correct gauge
Notions
· Yarn Needle
skill level
Easy
finished measurements
Circumference: 16 inches (41 cm)
Length: 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) not including earflaps and ties
gauge
13 sts and 16 rows = 4″/10cm in sc
Earflaps (Make 2):
Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 4 sts.
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st , 2 sc in last st; turn – 6 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc 2, ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last sc; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, rep from * to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn – 8 sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc 1, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next 2 sts; turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from* to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn – 10 sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc 2, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from * to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st; turn.
Row 7: Repeat row 3 – 12 sts.
Row 8: Repeat row 4.
Row 9: Repeat row 5 – 14 sts.
Row 10: Repeat row 6.
Fasten off.
Note: At the end of each round, join with a sl st to first sc.
BODY:
Joining Row: Ch 8, sc across each st and ch-1 space of one earflap, ch 16, sc across each st and
ch-1 sp of second earflap, join to first ch with a sl st, being careful not to twist – 52 sts.
ch-1 sp of second earflap, join to first ch with a sl st, being careful not to twist – 52 sts.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch and sc.
Work even in sc for three rounds.
Ridge: Ch 1, sc back loop only around.
Work even in sc until body measures 5 inches (13 cm) from joining row.
CROWN:
On the next round, ch 1 (work 11 sts, sc2tog) 4 times. [48 sts]
Work one round even.
Shape crown as described below.
Round 1: Ch 1, *Sc 4, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [40 sts remain]
Round 2: Work even
Round 3: Ch 1, *Sc 3, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [32 sts remain]
Round 4: Work even
Round 5: Ch 1, *Sc 2, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [24 sts remain]
Round 6: Work even
Round 7: Ch 1, *Sc 1, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [16 sts remain]
Round 8: Work even
Round 9: Ch 1, *Sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [8 sts remain]
Finishing
Cut yarn, a generous tail. Draw tail through remaining stitches. Pull gently to close hole. Weave in tail. Weave in ends.
BRAIDS
Cut 16 pieces of yarn (8 for each earflap) about 32 inches (81 cm) long. With WS facing, fold each bunch in half and push the folded end through an opening in the bottom of each earflap. Pull the unfolded ends through the loop and pull tight. Braid the strands and tie a knot to secure the braid. Complete the second braid the same way.
Create a pom pom for the top and you’re done!
Michelina
Lovely pattern. Do you have any idea how I could make it for a 6 year old with lots of thick hair?
Sylvia bonnet
Scan this made for a Girl 5 montd old?
amanda
Hi Sylvia,
It would be a bit big but you could try going down a hook size or two to make it smaller. 🙂
Frances Wilson
Amanda, HELP!! Your pattern on Toddler Earflap Hat – Free Crochet Pattern has stumped me. Your instructions for working the ear flaps, rows 7 & 9. We are instruction for repeating rows that do not exist. Help me understand what you are saying.
amanda
Hi Frances! For row 7 you just repeat what you did on row 3 “Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, rep from * to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn” and you should have 12 sts. For row 9 you repeat what you did on row 5 “Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from* to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn” and you should have 14 sts. Hope this helps! 🙂