Free Pattern: Kid's Earflap Hat

This hat is made with 2 strands of yarn together, to fit a 19 in. head circumference.  Below are links to earflap hat patterns in other sizes made using one strand of yarn.
Premie
Newborn
3-month
6-month
9-12-month
Toddler/Youth

I made this hat for one of my favorite little people, Jack Watson. He's one year old today! I'm so happy that you are in the world, Jack. I hope you appreciate all the hard work your Mommy did to bring you into the world, how much she loves you and how well she takes care of you. You are such a special blessing!

This hat pattern is inspired by this medium cap pattern from Tina Yanchuk. This was the first hat pattern I ever used, though I didn't really know how to read patterns at the time, so I modified it without realizing it! I really like the row of "dc around" between the increases that keeps the hat shape very round.




Supplies:
Less than one skein medium weight yarn divided into two balls (I used Caron Simply Soft)
Size 6mm hook (J/10)

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
dc dec - double crochet decrease (special stitch - see below)
sc dec - single crochet decrease (special stitch - see below)

Special Stitches -
dc dec: work a dc without completing the last step (2 loops on hook). In next st, work another dc, and on last step, draw yarn through all three loops on hook.
sc dec: draw up a loop in each st indicated, yo, draw through all loops on hook.

Instructions:
Work two strands of yarn together.  Ch-3 does not count as dc.
Round 1: Magic ring, ch 3, dc 11.  Pull ring tight, join with sl st to third ch in ch 3.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same ch. 2 dc in each dc around, join with sl st to third ch in ch 3.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same ch. Dc in next dc, *2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc* repeat from * around. Join with sl st to third ch in ch 3.
Round 4: Ch 3, dc around. Join with sl st to third ch in ch 3.
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in same ch. dc in next 2 dcs. *2 dc in next dc, dc in next two dcs* repeat from * around. Join with sl st to third ch in ch 3.
Round 6-9: Ch 3, dc in each dc around. Join with sl st to third ch in ch 3. Do not finish off.

First earflap: (Working in third ch of ch 3s as a dc)
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 7 dc.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc dec over next two dc, dc in next dc, dc dec over next two dc, dc in next dc, dc dec over last two dc.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn, *dc dec over next two dc,* repeat from * two times.
Row 4: Ch 3, turn, *dc dec over next two dc,* repeat from *.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc dec over three dc. Finish off, weave in ends.

Second earflap: (Working in third ch of ch 3s as a dc)
Join yarn in the 15th st from the joining ch 3s in the main hat. Work towards the front.
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 7 dc.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc dec over next two dc, dc in next dc, dc dec over next two dc, dc in next dc, dc dec over last two dc.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn, *dc dec over next two dc,* repeat from * two times.
Row 4: Ch 3, turn, *dc dec over next two dc,* repeat from *.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc dec over three dc. Finish off, weave in ends.

Braided strings:
Cut six pieces of yarn, about 28 in long.
Take three pieces of yarn together. Put hook through loop on the tip of the earflap, from outside in. Pull a loop of the yarns through, and pull the tail end through the loop. With three groups of two strands of yarn, braid firmly. When the braid is about 8 in long, tie a knot at the end, trim fringe to desired length.

©2010 Alli Hyer, all rights reserved.  You may sell items you make with this crochet pattern, but if you sell them online, you must link to this crochet pattern.  You may not sell this crochet pattern or claim it as your own.  You may publish or post a link to this crochet pattern, but you may not publish or post this crochet pattern in whole or in part.