This hat was my second knitting project. I had no idea what I was doing when I went into it, but I learned what I was doing as I went. It was a bit stressful figuring out on my own how circular needles worked. My sister-in-law gave me a bit of direction, something like "just keep knitting through", but I didn't really understand how that worked. I definitely have the circular thing down, now. In fact--I've made 3 of these hats. I made one for my husband, one for my brother-in-law, and one for my newest sister-in-law, wife of said brother-in-law.
The pattern I used, which was a free pattern, is no longer posted online (the domain it was posted on no longer exists), but was designed by Carlynn Field. Thankfully I printed it out, so I can give you a basic rundown of what was in the pattern. I will probably later go back and type it all over again, giving her credit. And HERE is a link to the old pattern page via Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
Project Details
- Needles = Size US 10.5 in 16" circular
- Yarn = Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Terracotta (134), Mustard (158) and Rust (135)
- CO 84 stitches in Terracotta, PM, join in round; work 1x1 ribbing for 3 rows, switch to StSt for 15 rows
- Switch to Mustard, continue in StSt for 24 rows, then decrease, K2tog for 3 rows (knitting leftovers alone), then cut yarn and weave through open stitches with tapestry needle or crochet hook and tie off
- at the hem on the Terracotta section, count 24 PM, count 18 PM, count 24 PM
- Pick up 24 between first and second marker, purl on earflap using Rust; work in StSt for 18 rows; decrease for 6 rows: first row P2tog, P until last 2, P2tog, next row K2tog, K until last 2, K2tog, continue in StSt pattern; BO remaining 12 stitches then cut yarn, knot, and leave tail hanging
- Pick up 24 between markers on opposite side, follow same earflap procedure
- Make 2 pieces of fringe (in Rust) to place on bottom of each earflap
- Make 4 inch pompom with Rust as main colour with bits of Mustard and Terracotta, then sew to top of hat. I made pompom on cardboard using this procedure: Rust-wrap 35 times, Mustard-wrap 15 times, Terracotta-wrap 15 times (alternating between wrappings so the colours are distributed)
- NOTE: The earflaps do curl up on themselves quite a bit. I used an iron, a damp washcloth, and bursts of steam to flatten them out (rather, my mother-in-law did it for me). We held the earflaps flat to the ironing board during the steaming process using straight pins.