I used Bernat Baby Softee to make this baby/children's ear flap hat, but any baby yarn that matches the gauge can be used as a substitute. The hat is almost like a square hat with a wavy trim at the bottom. Because of this trim, I would say that it is more of a little girls' hat than a boys' hat.

The pattern provides instructions on how to attach a string and pom poms, but that is optional, as the hat will look great without it. Instructions for each size are given separately, except for the first 4 rounds, which are the same in each pattern.

Material: Bernat Softee Baby 1.2-1.7oz.
Hook Size: E-3.50MM
Gauge: Measures about 2" over first 3 rounds
Finished Measurement: Small measures 15" in circumference, 5" from top to bottom at the forehead section, and 7" from top to bottom of ear. Large measures 18" in circumference, 6.5" from top to bottom at the forehead section, and 8" from top to bottom of ear.

Special Stitches:

Shell: 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc all in the same loop (lp).

Ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 2 sc into each ch. Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 4, sk next st, *sc in next st, ch 4, sk next st, repeat from * around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 3: Sl st into loop, ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) all in the same lp, fpdc around next sc, *shell in next lp, fpdc around next sc, repeat from * around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *shell in next lp, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc around next sc,** dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * around ending at **. Join with sl st.

For Small Size Only

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *fpdc around next st, sk next 2 dc, shell in next lp, sk next 2 dc,** (fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts) twice, repeat from * around, ending at **, fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in last st. Join with sl st.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *fpdc around next st, sk next 3 dc, shell in next lp, sk next 3 dc,** (fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts) twice, repeat from * around, ending at ** fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in last st. Join with sl st.

Rnds 7-13: Repeat rnd 6.

Ear Flaps For Small Hat

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc into first st, *sc into each st up to the lp, work 6 sc into lp, sc in to next 3 sts, (fptr in next st, tr in next 3 sts) twice, fptr in next st, sc in next 3 sts, work 6 sc into lp, repeat from * once, sc into each st to end of rnd. Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st and in next sc sts, *sc in next fptr, sk next 3 sts, work 11 tr sts in next st (tr fan made), sk next 3 sts, sc in next st and into each of the next set of sc sts, repeat from * around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Strings, (Make 2): Ch 25, sl st into center tr of tr fan, working in back loops of chains, sc into each ch to end. Fasten off.

Pom pom instructions at bottom of pattern.

For Large Size Only

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts, shell in next lp, dc in next 2 sts,** (fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts) twice, repeat from * around, ending at ** fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in last st. Join with sl st.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 2 sts, sk next 3 dc, shell in next lp, sk next 3 dc, dc in next 2 sts,** (fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts) twice, repeat from * around, ending at ** fpdc around next st, dc in next 3 sts, fpdc in last st. Join with sl st.

Rnd 7-16: Repeat rnd 6.

Ear Flaps for Large Hat:

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc into first st, *sc into each st up to the lp, work 6 sc into lp, sc in to next 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, (fptr in next st, tr in next 3 sts) twice, fptr in next st, dc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, work 6 sc into lp, repeat from * once, sc into each st to end of rnd. Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st and in each sc st, *sc in next 2 dc and fptr, sk next 3 sts, work 11 tr sts in next st (tr fan made), sk next 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts and into each of the next set of sc sts, repeat from * around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Strings, (Make 2): Ch 30, sl st into center tr of tr fan, working in back loops of chains, sc into each ch to end. Fasten off.

Pom Poms (Make 2)

Wrap the yarn around 2 of your fingers, or use a small pom pom maker. Do about 80 to 90 wraps and tie securely. Attach to the ends of the strings. For step-by-step instructions on how to make pom poms click here.