Hand Knitted Ear Flap Hat/Beanie

This is my favorite knitting pattern of all time. I love knitting hats because they are quick projects that don’t require a lot of yarn and they can be personalized in so many ways. I love ear flaps because my ears get cold in my office!

Sizes XS, S, M, L

Supplies:
Size 9 or 10 circular and doublepoint needles
1 skein bulky yarn (for this hat, I used Baby Alpaca)
Tapestry Needle

Ear Flap (Make 2):
With two double point needles cast on 2 stitches. Purl 1 row. Work back and forth in stockinette stitch. Every time you do the knitting side, increase the first and last stitch. This will create the triangle shape. Use whatever increase method you prefer. I use M1FB. Keep going until there are 16 stitches for the XS, 18-S, 20-M, or 22-L. Place these stitches on a holder or leave them on one of the double points for later.

Hat:
With the circular needle, cast on 12-XS, 14-S, 16-M, or 18-L stitches for the back of hat; knit across stitches of the first ear flap with the stockinette side (right side) facing out. Cast on 20-22-24-or26 stitches for the front; knit across second ear flap. There will be 64-72-80-or 88 stitches in all. Join stitches carefully without twisting. Knit 2 purl 2 on the front and back part of the hat (regular knit the ear flaps) for 6 rounds. This will make the nice ribbing and will prevent the hat from curling up.

Continue knitting until the hat is about 5.5 inches tall. I usually knit about 32 rounds from the bottom edge of the ribbing.

Decrease as follows:
Round 1: Knit two together, knit 6. Repeat for one round.
Round 2 (and all even rounds): Knit
Round 3: K 2 together, K 5 for one round
Round 5: K 2 together, K 4 for one round (this is where you should probably switch to the double points).
Round 7: K 2 together, K 3
Round 9: K 2 together, K 2
Round 11: K 2 together, K 1
Round 13: K 2 together
Gather remaining stitches with a darning needle and fasten off. Weave in all tails.

I crocheted a single chain with 6 strands of yarn to make the ties for the flaps.