Santa Earflap Hat for Babies

Please read this before continuing or starting a new project.  Thanks.

I was searching for a cute hat for my 3-month-old daughter to wear around Christmas time, but I didn't want to use a generic Santa hat. Finally, I saw an adorable Santa-esque hat in DROPS Christmas Workshop 2011, but unfortunately it was knitted, and I don't knit! So instead, I improvised a similar crochet version of this adorable earflap hat, complete with pom poms. When made to gauge, this hat will fit an approximately 16" head.

Please do not distribute or sell this pattern. Items made from this pattern are for personal use only; do not sell items made from this pattern.

Materials:

※ Worsted weight yarn in white and red (I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn)
※ Size G hook
※ Optional: pom pom maker

Abbreviations (American standard):
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
rnd = round
F/O = fasten off

Gauge: 7 dc and 4 rows = 2 inches

Notes:
This hat is designed to fit an approximately 16" head. Add additional rounds to increase size, or decrease rounds for a smaller size hat.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Hat Body:

• With red, ch 4 and sl st to form a ring.
• Rnd 1: ch 2 (counts as a dc here and throughout), 5 dc into the center of the ring. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (6 st)
• Rnd 2: ch 2, dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (12 st)
• Rnd 3: ch 2, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (18 st)
• Rnd 4: ch 2, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (24 st)
• Rnd 5: ch 2, 1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (30 st)
• Rnd 6: ch 2, 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (36 st)
• Rnd 7: ch 2, 1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (42 st)
• Rnd 8: ch 2, 1 dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 6 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (48 st)
• Rnd 9: ch 2, 1 dc in next 6 st, 2 dc in next st. *1 dc in next 7 st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. (54 st)
• Rnds 10-11: ch 2, 1 dc in ea st around. Sl st to the top of ch 2. F/O red yarn.
• Rnds 12-14: Change to white yarn. Ch 2, 1 dc in ea st around. Sl st to the top of ch 2 and F/O.

Ear Flaps:

Mark where you want the front of each earflap to be and follow the directions for each side. (Placement will vary due to your baby's individual head, but for my baby's hat, the front of the left earflap was at 11 stitches left of the back seam, and 18 stitches right of the back seam.)

• Row 1: With white, attach yarn to first st with sl st. 1 sc in same st, 1 sc in next 7 st. Ch 2, turn. (8 st)
• Row 2: 1 dc in ea st across. Ch 2, turn. (8 st)
• Row 3: Dec over first 2 st, dc in next 4 st, dec over last 2 st. Ch 2, turn. (6 st)
• Row 4: Dec over first 2 st, dc in next 2 st, dec over last 2 st. Ch 2, turn. (4 st)
• Row 5: Dec over first 2 st, dec over last 2 st. F/O.

Edging: Starting at the back seam, attach white yarn with sl st. Ch 2, dc 4 times in same st. Skip next st, sc in next st. *Skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around, including along the sides of the earflaps. (You will have to eyeball placement of the stitches along the earflap edges.)

Pom Poms: Make 2 pom poms out of white yarn and attach to the bottoms of each earflap. You can use a pom pom maker or make one by hand; I prefer to use a pom pom maker (I used Clover brand) as it will give you a very even, full, and fluffy pom pom. If you would prefer to make one by hand, there are many good tutorials on YouTube.

All patterns and photos are copyright ©2011-2014 by  Sarah A. Cano.  All rights reserved.  No part of this website may be reproduced without my express written consent.