Bulky Earflap Hat - Mixed Fiber
Free Knitting Pattern

176 yards bulky weight yarn
130 yards sport weight yarn
(Shown in 1 skein Noro Kochoran and 1 skein Frog Tree Alpaca yarns.)

Size 10.5 needles in 16" circular and double pointed
Entire hat is worked double stranded. Earflap ties are made with bulky yarn only.

Earflaps (make 2)

Cast on 3 stitches.
(WS) Purl 1 row
(RS) k1, m1r, k to last st, m1l, k1 (increase row) (5 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Work increase row (7 sts)
Knit 1 row
Work increase row (9 sts)
Purl 1 row
Work increase row (11 sts)
Knit 1 row
Work increase row (13 sts)
Purl 1 row
Work increase row (15 sts)
Knit 1 row
Work 6 rows in stockinette stitch, starting with a knit row and ending with a purl row. Place on holder.

Hat

Knit across 15 stitches of first earflap. Turn work and using the cable cast on method, cast on 17 sts. Turn work and knit across 15 stitches of second earflap. Turn work and cast on 13 sts. Turn work, place marker and join into a round. (60 sts)

Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 7 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds.

Shape Crown (switch to dp needles as needed)
(Purl 4, purl 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (50 sts)
Knit 1 round.
(Knit 3, knit 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (40 sts)
Knit 1 round.
(Purl 2, purl 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (30 sts)
Knit 1 round.
(Knit 1, knit 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (20 sts)
(Purl 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (10 sts)
(Knit 2 tog) repeat to end of round. (5 sts)
Cut yarn leaving 6-8" tail. Draw through remaining stitches to close. Weave in ends.

Ties

Cut 24 pieces of the bulky yarn, each 22" in length. Thread 12 of them through the bottom of each earflap. Fold in half, and make three groups of eight strands, using equal amounts from the front and the back of the earflap. Braid to desired length, knot ends and trim.