I created this pattern when I couldn’t find a hat pattern I liked for my one-year-old son. I didn’t have the time to keep searching the internet for the perfect pattern, so instead I created my own. I apologize for the dodgy photos—my model wasn’t quite cooperating and the lighting wasn't good. I’ll post better ones soon.

It’s fun and easy for the seasoned knitter, yet not too challenging for beginners looking to try new things like picking up stitches. The skills needed to make this hat are listed in the pattern. Standard abbreviations can be found here, compliments of Knitty.com.

If you have any questions or trouble with the pattern, let me know!

Skills:

Cast on

Knit stitch

Purl stitch

Ribbing (k2p2)

Decreases (k2tog and p2tog)

Picking up stitches

I-cord

Mattress stitch

Size: 9-18 months (2-3 years) to fit head circumference up to 19 ½ (21) inches

Materials:

Paton’s Classic Merino Wool or other worsted weight yarn

U.S. size 7 needles or size to get gauge

2 U.S. size 7 DPNs

10 (11) stitch markers

Gauge: 4 ½ stitches per inch

Toddler Earflap Hat Instructions:

Brim

Cast on 82 (90) stitches.

Work in k2p2 rib for two inches (*k2, p2 repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2. turn, k the k sts and p the p sts.)

Knit two rows to create a garter stitch ridge.

Body of Hat

Next row (RS): knit

Next row (WR): purl

Repeat these two rows, continueing in st st for 4 (5) inches

Crown

Knit decrease row (RS): k1 * k6, k2tog, PM, repeat from * to last stitch, k1—72 (79) sts

Work three rows st st

Row 1 (decrease row, RS): k1 * knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1—62 (68) sts

Row 2: purl

Repeat rows 1 and 2 two times—42 (46) sts

Row 1: Work decrease row as set

Row 2: Purl decrease row as follows: purl 1 * sl m, p2tog, purl to marker, repeat from * 9 (10) times, purl to end—22 (24) sts

Repeat row 1 once more, removing markers as you come to them—12 (13) sts

Stem

Slide remaining 12 (13) sts onto DPM and work 7 rounds of I-cord. Cut yarn with an 18-inch tail, draw through remaining stitches tightly and secure.

Feed tail through the I-cord stem and use it to seam up the back of hat with mattress stitch. Weave in ends. Remember to fold the brim up when you come to it and reverse the direction of your seam so it can’t be seen on the brim’s RS (the hat’s WS) when the hat is worn.

Earflaps

Left earflap: With brim folded up and RS facing, count 24 sts to the left of seam.

* With RS facing, pick up 11 sts.

Turn and knit 7 rows garter stitch.

Start earflap decreases as follows:

Row 1 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog

Row 2 (WS): knit

Repeat these two rows until 3 sts remain.

Slide remaining sts onto DPN. Knit 14 inches in I-cord. Cut yarn with a 6-inch tail and draw through remaining stitches tightly. Secure and feed tail through the I-cord stem and cut yarn.

Right ear flap: With brim folded up and RS facing, count 13 sts to the right of seam.

Follow directions as for left ear flap starting at *

Now slap it on your favorite toddler’s head and tie the ties. Blocking the hat will make the brim fold more crisply, but I’m not worried about it.