Heart Earflap Hat

My first pattern is a heart earflap hat, for those of you who want love on you at all times!

Heart Earflap Hat

Size:

Adult Medium/Large

Materials:

1 skein of Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in black

1 skein of Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in claret for trim and hearts

US size 11 circular needles

Five US size 11 double pointed needles

US size K crochet hook

Abbreviations:

M1 – increase 1 stitch

K – knit

P – purl

K2tog – knit 2 stitches together

P2tog – purl 2 stitches together

Sts – stitches
* – indicates to repeat the following stitches (i.e. *K2tog, K1 to end)

First you will make the two earflaps separately. Then you will attach them and knit the body of the hat. Next, you will decrease for the top of the hat. Finally, you will fasten off and add ties and tassels.

Earflaps:

Cast on 7 stitches

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: M1, purl till last st, M1 (9 sts)
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: M1, purl till last st, M1 (11 sts)
Row 6: M1, purl till last st, M1 (13 sts)

Row 5: Knit

Work the 13 stitches until the earflap measures 3 inches.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and set aside on an extra needle or stitch holder.

Make second earflap in the same manner.

On the same needle as the second earflap, cast on 24 stitches. Then pick up the stitches from the first earflap. Finally, cast on 14 more stitches. You now have 64 total stitches. 

Join stitches in the round and work 1 inch in Stockinette stitch. Then work the pattern charted below for the hearts.  The pattern repeats 4 times around the hat. 

After completing the heart pattern, work in Stockinette stitch until the piece measures 6 inches from the bottom (not including the earflaps).

Decreasing:

If using circular needles, switch to double pointed needles when necessary (around row 5).

Row 1: *K4, K2tog to the last 4 stitches, K4 (54 sts)

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: *K3, K2tog to the last 4 stitches, K4 (44 sts)

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *K2, K2tog to the end (33 sts)

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *K1, K2tog to the end (22 sts)

Row 8: Knit

Row 9: *K2tog to the end (11 sts)
Row 10: Knit

Row 11: *K2tog to the last stitch, K1 (6 sts)

Finishing:

Cut the yarn and draw the remaining stitches together using a tapestry needle. Tie off.

Using the contrast color (red), work a row of single crochet (starting in the back) around the edge of the hat.

Ties:

Attach a piece of the contrast yarn to the middle of the earflap using a crochet hook.
Using two stitches, create an icord extending down about 7 inches. Make tassels for the ends of the icords and attach (for good directions on making tassels, go here). 

**Project may require steam blocking, as edges tend to curl. Here are some really good instructions for steam blocking acrylic things :)