Toddler Eaflap Hat for Japan

I've been knitting for Japan lately and created a new hat pattern just for someone affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.  For a toddler, to be exact, and hopefully several of them. 

Okay, so it's not a brand new pattern -- it's a variation on my original Toddler Earflap Hat, but this time it's knitted in the round -- and with beautifully dyed Japanese wool  yarn.  I thought it was fitting that this Noro Kureyon go back to its homeland to keep someone in need warm.

[For more on the effort to knit for Japan and to find out what to knit, where to send it and by when, visit the Knit for Japan post on Small Things.]

Here is the pattern -- I hope you'll make this hat and send it to Japan for someone who needs it.

Toddler Earflap Hat in the Round

[download printable PDF]

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

Materials:

Two skeins Noro Kureyon

18-inch-long U.S. size 7 circular needle or size to get gauge

Set of U.S. size 7 double pointed needles (DPNs) or size to get gauge

Stitch markers

Gauge: 4 ½ stitches per inch

Instructions:

Brim

Cast on 80 (88) stitches on circular needle. Join in the round being careful not to twist.  Place marker at the beginning of the round.

Work in k2p2 rib for two inches.

The knit one row and purl one row to create a garter stitch ridge.

Body of Hat

Work in stockinette stitch for 4 (5) inches

Crown

Knit decrease row (RS): * k6, k2tog, PM, repeat from * to last 8 sts, k6 k2tog—70 (77)

Work three rows st st, slipping markers as you come to them.

Row 1 (decrease row, RS): * knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, repeat from * to last st—60 (66)

Row 2: knit

Repeat rows 1 and 2 two times—42 (44) sts

Switch to DPNs.

Repeat row 1 three times more—10 (11)

Stem

Slide remaining 10 (11) sts onto one DPN and work 7 rounds of I-cord. Cut yarn and secure.

Weave in ends.

 

Earflaps

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

* With RS facing, pick up 11 sts with a DPN. 

Turn and knit 11 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.

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 beginning of round.

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.