Garter Ear Flap Hat
This Garter Ear Flap Hat was an engineering feat to get me back on my feet. You see, I didn’t exactly have that quintessential fresh-start feeling that so often comes with the New Year. Instead, I spent January 1st in bed with the flu and its attendant fever, aches, chills, and delirium. Just as the worst was passing, Mother Nature blasted us with a Polar Vortex that I did not have the strength nor will to face.
Cabin fever set in! Groggy from illness and stir-crazed from quarantine, I was determined to prove my health (and sanity), and so, making this hat became a triumphant product of my bruised spirit. I created this hat that simultaneously hangs on and hugs my head, which provides protection and insulation from a season that had been beating me down.
Still enamored with the ease of working short rows in garter stitch (as with my Knit Elbow Patches), I constructed this hat in one seamless piece using Purl Soho’s soft and lush Alpaca Pure. The more I knit with this incredibly comforting yarn, the better I felt. And the topper made it official. Slightly pointed with a tiny tassel, the finish delivered cheer and whimsy. I was back to my healthy self!
With my head toasty warm and back in full heath, that fresh-start feeling did arrive… just a little late this year. A belated Happy New Year to all! May it be a healthy one. -Laura
UPDATE: NOW IN PLENTY
DECEMBER 2022
In our soft and springy Plenty, our Garter Ear Flap Hat will keep your ears downright toasty! This 100% extra fine merino is as un-scratchy as wool gets, and it has a tidy, high twist that wards off pills… extra important for a hat that’s going to get as much use as this one! With over twenty colors of Plenty to choose from, surely there’s one to make you grin from ear to ear!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoGarterEarFlapHat. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% alpaca, or another Aran weight yarn; approximately 55 (70 , 87, 120 , 153, 196) yards. We used the colors Heirloom White (Artemisia, Storm Gray) for the Baby (Kid, Adult Medium) hat.
- US 8 (5 mm), 12-inch (for Baby size) or 16-inch circular needle
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 12-inch (for Baby size) or 16-inch circular needle
- Set of US 7 double pointed needles
- Removable stitch markers, including 1 unique
Gauge
17 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch with smaller needle
Sizes
Baby (Toddler, Kid, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)
- Finished Circumference: 14 (16, 17¾, 19¾, 21¾, 23½) inches
- Finished Height: 7¼ (8, 9, 10, 11½, 12¾) inches, from bottom of ear flap to top of hat, not including tassel
Notes
The Right and Left Ear Flaps are shaped using short rows. For our complete Short Rows Tutorial, please click here. NOTE: Because the short rows are worked in garter stitch in this pattern, you do not have to pick up the wraps; simply ignore the wraps when you come to them and work the wrapped stitch normally.
wrp-t [wrap and turn]: keeping the yarn in back, slip the next stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle. Bring the yarn forward as if to purl. Return the stitch from the right needle back to the left needle. Turn the work.
s2kp [slip slip knit pass]: Slip two stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over knit stitch and off needle. (2 stitches decreased)
Pattern
Begin
With larger needle, cast on 60 (68, 76, 84, 92, 100) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Knit 2 rounds.
Change to smaller needles.
Next round: Knit 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 6) stitches, place marker (pm), knit 16 (18, 20, 23, 25, 27) stitches for Left Ear Flap, pm, knit 22 (24, 28, 30, 32, 34) stitches for Front, pm, knit 16 (18, 20, 23, 25, 27) stitches for Right Ear Flap, pm, knit to end.
Shape Left Ear Flap
NOTE: For this portion of the pattern, you will be working in Short Rows, back and forth, turning the work part way through each round, rather than continuing to the end of the needle. For a tutorial, click here.
NOTE: If a dash (” – “) appears in place of a number for your size, omit this line of instruction.
Next Row (right side): Knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) stitches before second marker, wrp-t.
Next Row: Knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, -, -, 11) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, -, 10, 10) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, 9, 9, 9) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, 8, 8, 8, 8) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (7, 7, 7, 7, 7) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows (all sizes): Knit to 6 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 5 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 4 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 3 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 2 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 1 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Shape Right Ear Flap
NOTE: For this portion of the pattern, you will once again be working in Short Rows.
NOTE: If a ” – ” appears in place of a number for your size, omit this line of instruction.
Next Row (right side): Knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) stitches before fourth marker, wrp-t.
Next Row: Knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, -, -, 11) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, -, 10, 10) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, -, 9, 9, 9) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (-, 8, 8, 8, 8) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to – (7, 7, 7, 7, 7) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows (all sizes): Knit to 6 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 5 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 4 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 3 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 2 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows: Knit to 1 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Row: Knit to end of round.
Work Body of Hat
Round 1: Purl (removing 4 stitch markers).
Round 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 (4¼, 4¾, 5¼, 6¼, 7) inches from the rolled edge at the center of an Ear Flap, or until approximately 3¼ (3¾, 4¼, 4¾, 5¼, 5¾) inches shy of desired finished height.
Shape Crown of Hat
NOTE: Switch to double pointed needles when necessary.
Set-Up Round: P7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12), k1, place removable marker on previous stitch, [p14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24), k1, place removable marker on previous stitch] three times, purl to end of round.
Round 1: [Knit to one stitch before next marked stitch, remove marker, s2kp (see Pattern Notes above), place removable stitch marker on the s2kp] four times, knit to end of round. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 2: [Purl to marked stitch, k1] four times, purl to end of round.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: Repeat Round 2.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 five (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) more times. [12 stitches]
Next Round: Repeat Round 1. [4 stitches]
Next Round: Knit.
Finish
Cut yarn leaving a 24-inch tail, thread onto tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches. Make a Tiny Attached Tassel by following the instructions found here.
Weave in your ends and block as desired.
When purling on Row 1 of the body of the hat, should I be on the wrong side? I started this hat once before and ended up taking it all out, so I’m looking ahead. It seems the decorative stitches will be on the wrong side. It is a precious hat and I so much hope I will be able to complete it. I am making the toddler size.
Hi, Peggy!
Thank you very much for writing in! You are correct, when you start row 1 on the body of the hat you will be on the wrong side.
If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I am also confused about being on the wrong side on the purl rows, and having the decorative decrease end up on the inside of the hat. I can’t figure out how to get the edge to roll outward (away from baby’s head) and still have the decrease stitches appear on the outside. All I can figure is that I somehow messed up the ear flap directions, because I also ended up with the join/seam running up the front of the hat, whereas in the pictures it seems the join lands between the ear flaps. Help!? It is so adorable I’ll be disappointed if I can’t complete this correctly.
Hi Janemn,
Thanks for writing us! It seems to me that you have knit your hat inside out. I have been in your position many times! If your ear flaps are closer together on one side of the hat than the other, then I would consider that side the back whether or not your beginning of round originates there. As for your increases appearing on the inside, this is actually ok! When you finish your hat, you will turn the piece inside out and consider the “wrong side” the “right side”. Finally, if you ear flaps are curling toward the face now, just remember that they will flip the other direction when you turn the hat inside out. Good luck on your project!
Best,
Adam
I’ve totally done it too – it’s easy to do with garter short rows where identifying a right and wrong side is tricky 🙂
Thank you for this great pattern!
I am following the instructions just fine, but when I get done with my ear flaps, and I do the first purl round where you remove the stitch markers, there ends up being a tiny hole at the right edge of each of the flaps- due to the final wrap and turn… Just wondering if this is normal, or if I’m missing something that might fix this? It isn’t a big deal, and may even almost disappear after blocking.
Thanks!
Yara
Hello, Yara!
Thank you so much for writing in! And thank you for your kind words! You shouldn’t have holes, when you knit the wrapped stitches, did you knit them together with the stitch that they are wrapped around? Doing that will prevent those holes. If they are tiny, they might disappear after blocking.
Again, thank you for writing in. If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Your instructions are confusing, I don’t know where to go after the first two rows. This a nice hat, but this instructions doesn’t help.
Hi Lorena,
Thanks for writing us! So sorry you are having trouble with this pattern. After you knit two rows you do the following:
Change to smaller needles.
Next round: Knit 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 6) stitches, place marker (pm), knit 16 (18, 20, 23, 25, 27) stitches for Left Ear Flap, pm, knit 22 (24, 28, 30, 32, 34) stitches for Front, pm, knit 16 (18, 20, 23, 25, 27) stitches for Right Ear Flap, pm, knit to end.
This is a set up round because after this round you will shape the ear flaps. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
Hola todos, alguna amiga de este blog, podria traducirme estas instrucciones para hacer el gorrito?, mi ingles no es muy bueno y no acabo de entenderlo.
Muchas gracias
Conxita
Hi, Conxita!
Thank you for writing in! Unfortunately, we do not have a Spanish translation of this pattern, sorry.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I think I’m confused about the pattern. On lines of instruction with a dash for your size, you omit the entire line(s) of instruction? This is a little scary. I just love this hat and want to finish a practice hat before I make one in the good yarn.
Hello, Michele!
Thank you for writing in! You are correct, you will omit the rows that have a dash for the size that you are making. Please keep us updated on your progress and if you have further questions let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
I am workin on the ear flap hat, and I’m at the point where I’m shaping the crown. However, the “knit” sts that are supposed to form a design going inward to the top of the hat, are not going in the right direction Am I moving the marker wrong? I did the sskp then placed the marker. I need help! Love the hat.
Hi Shelby,
Thanks for writing us! Starting at the set-up round, be sure that when you are “marking previous stitch” that you are marking the knit stitch you just did. This will be the decorative decrease. I suggest using a removable stitch marker for this part so you always see which stitch you are supposed to stop at before the decrease. Good luck and happy knitting!
Best,
Adam
can you make this cute hat without the earflaps …. seasons are changing!
Hi Maggie,
You can certainly make this hat without ear flaps! All you have to do is omit the ear flap shaping and continue working the body in the round. All shaping is as normal after that. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
Hi there, thank you very much for this adorable pattern 🙂
I’m having a bit of trouble on Round 2 of Shaping the hat (Round 2: [Purl to marked stitch, k1] four times, purl to end of round. ).
I just wanted to clarify – you’re supposed to purl UP TO the marked stitch, and then knit the marked stitch, right? Also, what should you do with the marker at this point? Do you move it to the knit stitch?
Reading ahead I’m a bit confused as to how you move the markers along. Do you move the marker on to whichever stitch falls on the marked stitch in each subsequent round?
Thank you very much for your help!
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl,
Thanks for writing in! You are correct that you need to purl up to the marked stitch and then knit the marked stitch. You will be moving the marker each round if you wish. This helps you see which stitch is creating the decorative decrease. Please see our tutorial for more info about this decrease. I’ve pasted the link below:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/03/14/slip-slip-knit-pass-s2kp/
Good luck and happy knitting!
Best,
Adam
I am working on the ear flap hat and am a bit confused with the ear flap part. When starting the left ear flap what do you do with the 3 stitches before the marker. Is the yarn cut then started at this spotband di you cut the yarn when doing the right ear flap or knit over to it.
Hi Renee,
Thanks for writing us. After short rowing the left ear you should end up at the marker 3 stitches in from your end of round marker. Knit across the left ear flap, front of hat and the right ear flap until 7(8,9,10,11,12) stitches before the fourth marker depending on which size you are making. Now you are ready to start short rowing the right flap. You will not be working the three stitches before and after the end of round marker until you start knitting the body of the hat. Also, there is no need to cut your yarn because you are just traveling from the left ear flap to the right one. I hope this helps.
Best,
Adam
I am confused at the part where you start the ear flap. I am at the end of my round. I have 3 stitches then a marker, then 16 stitches for my ear flap. Why am I only knitting 7 stitches then switching back. Knit 7 stitches to the fourth marker doesn’t make since because it will take either 3 stitches or 19 stitches to get to either of the markers. Sorry I am somewhat a beginner so I may be missing something basic.
Thanks,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for writing us! The ear flaps are created using a technique called short rows. This means that you are knitting more fabric in one area of the piece than in the other areas (in this case, the ear flaps). The directions tell you to knit to 7 stitches before the 2nd marker and then wrap and turn. Next you will be knitting until 7 stitches before the next marker (this is 2 stitches for the smallest size) and wrapping and turning. When you turn and knit back you will come across your wrap. Pick up the wrap and continue on with the directions, which is to knit to 6 stitches before the next marker. Please take a look at our Short Rows tutorial if you are still having trouble with the ear flaps. I hope this works out for you!
Thanks,
Adam
How do you knit that WS turn? The yarn is in the front due to the first wrap and turn. If you move it to the back you undue part of the first wrap…….?
Hi Courtney,
Thank you for writing in! If you take a look at our short row tutorial, you’ll see that on a knit wr-t we keep the yarn in back, transfer the stitch and then bring the yarn in front. When you turn the work to face the wrong side, the yarn will be in the back, putting you in position to knit again. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best of luck!
-Adam
Hi Adam – The last step on the tutorial (for the knit side) is to bring the yarn to the back of the work as if to knit. Does your message above mean that we should skip that step keeping the yarn in the front until we turn which means it will then be in the back?
Hi Aubree,
Thanks for writing back! I think that I can help! In our tutorial, we are demonstrating the wrap and turn technique on stockinette stitch. As this pattern is in garter stitch, you will leave the the yarn in front when you complete the wrap and then turn the work and the yarn will be at the back, preparing you to knit your next row!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Is there no video tutorial on this specific pattern’s short rows? I’m still confused. The way I’m following the pattern, it doesn’t seem like the ear flaps are wide enough
Hi Maria,
Thank you for writing in. We don’t have a video tutorial for this pattern unfortunately. The ear flaps in this pattern are shallow because the body of the hat is long. The flaps will probably cover your ear halfway. If you’d like to elongate the flaps, you can knit up until your previous wr-t and wr-t just before it. If you’d like to make them wider and longer, then you can knit closer to the marker before the initial wr-t. Let me know if you have any other questions! Glad to help!
-Adam
hi! i knit this hat a couple months ago for a friend’s baby and it’s the cutest hat ever! i’m now knitting another one for another friend’s little one, and i cannot for the life of me remember how i “marked the previous stitch” when shaping the crown. i’m thinking i use an open-ended marker to mark the knit stitch? is that right? i had a little trouble with this last time but i know i ultimately prevailed…thanks in advance!
Hi Piper,
Thanks for writing us! Yes, you will mark the actual stitch with a removable marker. To see a tutorial on this decrease, click here!
Best,
Adam
I am knitting the Baby Size.
Just wondering when I have finished the Left Ear Flap ending with wrp-t do I knit the stitches (6) across back of hat to start Right ear Flap or knit across the Left Ear Flap and the front of the hat and then start the RightEar Flap.
The pattern is not clear about where to go from the end of the Left Ear Flap before starting Right Ear Flap.
Thank you
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for writing us! You will be knitting across the earflap and around the front of the hat, passing the third marker. This is because you are wrapping and turning your last short row, which leaves you facing the right side of the work. Good luck on the project!
Best,
Adam
I also have the join seems at the front of the hat. The last row before working the body, indicates to knit to end of round. I assume this means to the marker when we first joined the yarn. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks.
Hi Carole,
Thanks for writing in! I think that you might have accidentally placed your markers in the wrong spots. There should only be a few stitches in between the beginning of round marker and the ear flaps. If your ear flaps are close together at the middle of round, then use the middle of round as the center back point. Regardless of you ear flap location changing, your end of round will still remain in the same spot. So when it tells you to knit to the end of round you will knit to the front of the hat in your case. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
fantastic explanations!
Hi I have a question on the decreases. I’m knitting the baby sized hats and once I’ve repeated the four rounds of the decrease part of the pattern four times(i think four times I’ve had to frog it back to the beggining of thr decreases) I’ve reached the biggining of the round how am I supposed to do the next decrease when the knit or decrease stitch is at the beggining of the round?
Hi Heather,
This is certainly confusing but I think I have a solution! Move your marker to the left of the stacked decrease so it doesn’t get in the way. As long as your decreases all fall in line, you’re golden!
Best,
Adam
I am having trouble. I hope I’m just missing something simple. I am just starting the left ear flap, completed my first w&t. The instructions say to knit the next row but I’m on the purl side. Also, if I try to knit on that side, then it takes the wrap off the w&t. I hope you can tell me what I’m doing wrong. I have made lots of socks so I am familiar with short rows, not as familiar with w&ts but I have done them before. But I am stumped. I hope you can help me.
Thanks.
Hi Denise,
I’m so sorry this is giving you trouble! First, take a look at our short row tutorial for wrap and turn. Maybe this will clear up your losing the wrap when turning the work. Also, because the hat is in garter stitch, this means that you’ll be knitting both sides of the ear flap because garter is worked by knitting both the wrong and right sides. Please let me know if you have any more trouble!
Best of luck,
Adam
I’m a little confused with the ear flap on this project. I am new to short rows, which may be part of my problem. So, you knit to 7(I’m making a baby hat) before the marker, wrap and turn, then this starts the next row? So after the turn I knit to 7 to the next marker, instead of purling to the beginning? Then knit to 6, wrap and turn and again instead of the purling, I knit to 5?
I hope that makes sense. I really like this pattern and have had to redo the hat twice now just for the ear flap!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for writing us! Short rows will be fun once you figure them out! What is going on in short rows is that you are knitting the center of the fabric more than the edges so the center grows longer and the edges do not. You have to wrap and turn in order to avoid a hole in your knitting. So, you’ll knit to 7 stitches before the marker and wrap and turn the work to work back to 7 stitches before the next marker (you’ll be looking at the inside of the hat while working these stitches). The reason you are knitting to 7 stitches before the marker, wr-t, and then knitting back is that garter is worked by knitting both sides when flat. When you start knitting in the round again you will knit one round and then purl one round. I hope this clears things up!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
Bonjour,
Je suis intéressée par un modele Garner Earl flap hat mais je ne suis pas assez douee en anglais pour le traduire. Auriez vous la Possibilite de ma le traduire en français? Merci d’avance de votre compréhension. Bonne fin de journee
Bonjour,
Malheureusement on n’a pas les resources de traduire nos directions en français à ce moment mais on va garder à l’esprit pour l’avenir. Merci!
-Adam
This is such a cute pattern…
Instructions indicate that I do not pick up the wraps, but in the comments it indicates that the wraps should be picked up. Which is correct? Also when measuring to begin decreases, do I include the rolled edge in the measurement or just measure from where the garter stitch starts? Love this pattern. Thanks.
Hi Janet,
Thanks for your question! You do actually pick up the wraps as you pass them. It isn’t specifically written out in the pattern but it is implied because you pass the wrap each row. For measuring the hat, you will measure from the bottom edge of the roll up to your live stitches. Do not unfurl the roll; keep it relaxed. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Adam
hello, the pattern specifically says, “Because the short rows are worked in garter stitch in this pattern, you do not have to pick up the wraps; simply ignore the wraps when you come to them and work the wrapped stitch normally.” But here you write that the wraps should be picked up?
I end up with a tiny hole at the right end of the flaps, like a in a comment above.
Thanks for your help!
Hi S,
Thanks for writing back. I suggest you pick up the wraps if you are getting holes in the fabric. Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
I’m having trouble with the decreases. My decorative line of knits are not going in the same direction as the picture shows. they are all slanting left. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Natalie,
I’m so sorry about this! S2KP is an advanced increase, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake. I would rip back until your first decrease round and restart the decreases. Be sure to knit until one stitch before your marked stitch, slip two together knitwise, knit one and then pass the slipped stitches over. If this doesn’t make sense, I’d watch Laura’s S2KP tutorial! Let me know if this helps!
Best,
Adam
I’m having the same problem and not sure why. Have used S2KP many times, and usually counter with a right-leaning decrease – eg K2tog. My decreases are both leaning left. ??
Hi Harriet,
Thank you for writing us! Sorry you are having trouble with the pattern! S2KP is actually a centered decrease and shouldn’t be veering left or right. It only seems that way in the picture because the total amount of stitches continues to diminish as you shape the crown. It’s really important with S2KP that you knit up until one stitch before the marked stitch (aka the pronounced decrease). If you go beyond the pronounced decrease, your decrease will indeed veer left. I’d take a look at the tutorial and see if you are doing it the same. Let me know if you have any other questions — I’d be glad to help!
Best of luck,
Adam
I already made one, and I love the fit and how the earflaps are made!! I have one question though: Can I make this in stockinette stitch too, without further adjustments? I have something special in mind that just won’t work with garter stitch. Please help!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in and what a lovely idea! Yes, you can certainly do this in stockinette stitch, but the edges will curl up. I suggest, instead of doing the stockinette in the round at the very beginning, do a rib or a garter stitch to flatten out the bottom edges. When you get to the earflap portion, you will purl the wrong side as if working stockinette flat. Let me know if you have any other questions! Good luck!
-Adam
I read in the last comment that I should be on the WRONG side when purling the first round of the body of the hat. Okay…I ripped back a row and turned back to the wrong side to do that. I was glad to see that move was a cure for the big holes I had next to each earflap. But now…should I continue to knit the rest of the hat on the inside?
Hi Karen,
Thank you for writing in! You should only be working the inside of the hat when you short row the ear flaps. Other than that, you should end up ending the short rows by knitting to the end of the round. Your first move for the body of the hat is to purl because you are creating garter stitch in the round. This involves you knitting one round and purling the next, etc. Let me know if you have any other questions — I’d be glad to help!
-Adam
I just completed the setup round for the toddler size and am really confused – there were not enough stitches to accommodate the instructions. Are the numbers in BRACKETS there to show how many stitches you should have total? Or are the instructions saying p8, k1 and then p16, k1 and repeat that 3 times? That equals 128 stitches which is more than I have on my needles. So confused! Thanks for any help.
Hi Miranda,
Thanks for writing in and sorry for the confusion! You will purl 8 and then follow the instructions inside the brackets three times. You won’t repeat the purl 8 each time because it’s outside the brackets. Hope this is clear!
-Adam
Hi! I really like the look of this hat, but the pointy tip – not so much. Could you suggest how to alter it, so it has a round top instead? (I wish I were advanced enough as a knitter to figure it out myself, but I am still a beginner :/ ) Thank you very much in advance! Fran
Hi Fran,
Thanks for writing in! This sounds like a great idea and I’d be glad to help you work it out! I suggest that you only complete about 3/4 of the the decreases recommended in the pattern and cinch up the top of the hat to create a rounder shape. You might want to knit a longer hat body by about an inch or two depending on the size you are making. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best of luck!
-Adam
I am so confused!
In toddler size, are there 18 sts for the first earflap?
And then after wrapping and turning do yo knit back to that 1st marker.
Am ready to frog the whole thing and look for another earflap pattern.
Thanks for any insight you may have.
Hi Belinda,
Thanks for writing us! Sorry you are having trouble with the pattern! You will be working the ear flaps in short rows. So, for this part you will be knitting until a certain amount before the marker and then wrapping and turning. When you do short rows in this pattern, you don’t work the entire row in order to create more fabric in the center of the ear flap. I hope this helps!
Best of luck,
Adam
Hi! Question: I’m having a difficult time with the ear flaps. I’ve had to rip this hat out three times. I just finished the right ear flap and I’m not sure if the picture is deceiving, but i end up having to knit on the wrong side in order to cross the front to start the left ear flap. According to the picture, you should finish the ear flap with the work on the left needle… if that’s the case, in order to cross the front, you either have to knit backwards or knit on the wrong side, which I’ve found has caused problems with the garter pattern once i start the body of the hat. What am I missing? Help! please and thank you!
Hi Martha,
Thanks for the question! The last direction on the left ear flap is to wrap and turn, so you should end up on the right side of the work. You’ll then knit across the ear flap and all the way to however many stitches before the fourth marker. Hope this makes things clear!
-Adam
This pattern is magic! I’m making these for the whole fam. Thank you~
Beautiful and easy to knit.
Loved this pattern
Thank you for sharing.
B.Regards
May.
Hi,
I am starting the decreasing on the wrong side, the bottoms are curling inward and to make it look like the hat I will have to turn it inside out. However as I start the decreases are on the wrong side, the side I’m knitting on. So when I flip it inside out I can’t see the pretty decreases. Did I do something wrong? What should I do?
Thanks!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for writing in to us. It looks like after the last short row ear flap you didn’t wrap and turn to knit the face side of the fabric. I hope this makes sense! The only way to fix this is to rip back the body of the hat to right before you ended your last ear flap. This way you can turn the work to work on the outside of the hat, not the inside. If you have any questions about this, feel free to write back in!
-Adam
omygoodness—
Had to find the right needles for my stash yarn, and then I dove into your pattern.
WOW! FIVE STAR!! perfect.
Looks like I will be making two dozen of them—in all sizes—this holiday season.
Absolutely adorable, squishy, and practical to boot.
Thanks SOHO for making me look good; in your hat and as a knitty nana!
x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Teri
Oregon
ps. trust the pattern everybody; it works!
I just started this hat and I’m a bit confused. If I follow the first few steps exactly (right up to where you start the first war flap) I end up in stockinette stitch instead of garter. I see no way around this if I follow the instructions since knitting 2 rounds is always going to end up as stockinette. Obviously I’m missing something since I don’t really see anyone else having ghus problem but I cannot put my finger on it.
Hi April,
Thanks for writing us! You actually haven’t done anything wrong at all. The hat has a stockinette rolled border at the bottom edge. You don’t start knitting garter until the ear flaps on. Thanks!
-Adam
I am so excited to knit this hat. When I switch needles do I knit the stitches onto them for a third row of knit? Thank you!
Hi Kate,
So glad you’re excited! You can either slide all your stitches on to the new needle or you can simply take your empty needle and knit on to it. I hope this answers your question! Let me know!
-Adam
It says to use size 7 and 8 needles for the baby size. What size needle do I use for larger sizes? I want to make a toddler version of this (my infant’s outgrown the baby-sized one I made her!).
Hi Birch,
Thanks for the question! You’ll make the hat with the same size needles, but instead you’ll follow the directions for a larger size. Best of luck!
-Adam
I finally managed to get this nice little hat finished – only the last link does not open up, instead I read that this is not available any more. Can you help me here o complete this very nice pattern, which should be finish before christmas day!
I’ve done it with other wool, smaller needles – with a little bit of math it was possible, even though I had to think a while, how to figure it out. Now I am looking forward to the last bit to finish it finally.
Wish you a merry christmas and a happy New Year.
Sylvia Mueller
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for writing in! Can you tell me which link were you referring to? I checked the last link for the tiny tassel and it appears to be working at present (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/07/18/tassel-tiny-attached-tassel/). If there is another link that is not working, please do let us know and we will do our best to correct it!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
How do I avoid a “seam”? At the beginning of my rounds where I switch from k to p there is a very visible seam going up the hat. How do I make this invisible?
Hi Tina,
Thanks for writing in! There is a seem on this hat at the back where the rounds start and end! With garter stitch in the round, this seem is unavoidable. I think of it as an easy way to determine the back of the hat and get it on quickly for those cold and snowy days!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
Thank you for the pattern for the beautiful hat. I’m a beginner of knitting and I would like to try this hat. May I know where I could find the pattern of adult? Around 52cm of head circumference
Hi Tien,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern is available above in Baby (Toddler, Kid, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large) sizes which measure in at 14 (16, 17 3/4, 19 3/4, 21 3/4, 23 1/2) inches. For the 52 cm that you are quoting, I think that you would knit the Adult Small or Adult Large which would be the 5th or 6th set of stitch measurements in the sections where there are multiple stitch counts listed.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m confused on the ear flap. I’m making the largest size. When it says to knit 12 before second marker, does that mean just knit 12 then do the turning your work part? Or knit until there are 12 stitches left? Then after I turn work, confused on how you knit 11 until next marker
Hi Libby,
Thanks for the question. The ear flaps are made using short rows, which is a technique where you don’t knit the entire round. Instead you’ll work a certain section of the round, creating more fabric in that area compared to the rest of the hat. In this case the ear flaps — the sections in between the markers. When you get to 12 stitches before your marker, you’ll wrap and turn your work so the wrong side is facing you and you’ll knit the following directions until your ear flap is complete. Hope this clears everything up!
-Adam
I have the same question with Libby. Shall I knit 12 stitches for the row, or it means knit more than 12 stitches, only 12 stitches left (without knitting) before the second marker.
Hi Cheueh,
Thanks for writing us. Starting at your beginning of round marker you’ll knit up to 12 stitches before your second marker. This means that you will not pass your second marker — you’ll wrap and turn 12 stitches before it. Thanks!
-Adam
Hi,
I don’t get what you mean by mark your stitch? I know what putting a stitch marker in means but what does mark mean? Do you mean hang or clip one of those safety pin type markers on the next stitch you’re about to do? or put a stitch marker just before the next stitch you’re about to do? You don’t say slip marker either?? I’m confused. Thanks
Hi Liane,
Thanks for writing in. S2KP is a tricky decrease and I would click here to see a tutorial. Basically, you are going to mark the stitch before your S2KP by hanging a removable marker on the actual stitch (not on the needle). Take a look at the tutorial and let me know if you have any other questions.
-Adam
Hi!
I need to make a size in between the baby and the toddler. I made a baby size and the “big headed little nugget” has grown out of his baby hat and mom would like another one. Could I make an “in between” size by uniting the toddler size but with smaller needles, say using a 7 and 6 or go even smaller on the needle size with 6and 5? Thoughts? Mom is chomping at the bit to get another one!
Regards,
Carrie
Hi Carrie,
Thank you for writing in. Glad mom loves the hat! Going down a needle size will definitely make the hat smaller. Although I’m not sure if it will make the hat an in between size. You’ll have to try to find out or make a gauge swatch in the round. You could always make the toddler size and have the child grow into it as well. Best of luck!
-Adam
I’m confused what size needles your telling us to use. The way it’s written you have a us 7 and 8
What needle sizes do I need for an adult one please. Thanks.
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for writing in! For an adult hat you will need a US #8 16-inch circular needle, a US #7 16-inch circular needle and a set of US #7 double pointed needles. For the smaller hats, you need 12 inch circulars instead of 16 inch circular needles.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi! I’m in the middle of making this hat for my little baby boy and I’m loving it! Is it alright if I sell hats made from this pattern, making sure to credit Purl Soho for the pattern? I didn’t see anything about permission written anywhere. Thanks!!
Hi Jessica,
Please see the below excerpt from our Terms of Use on the website. You can find this at the bottom of our webpage.
Copyright and Ownership
All Site content, design, text, graphics, and interfaces, the collection, selection, and arrangement thereof and all software are the property of, or duly licensed to purlsoho.com. Consent is granted to view, electronically copy, and print in hard copy portions of this site for the sole purpose of placing an order with purlsoho.com for your use. Any other use of materials on this site, including modification, distribution, or reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, without the prior written permission of purlsoho.com is strictly prohibited. You acknowledge that purlsoho.com and/or third party providers remain the owners of such material and that you do not acquire any of those ownership rights by downloading copyrighted material. purlsoho.com reserves the right to revoke this authorization at any time, and any use shall be discontinued immediately on written notice from purlsoho.com.
Thanks,
Adam
Hi Purl Bee! I am now making this hat for the sixth time and just wanted to thank you for such a great pattern! Like many others, I had some difficulty with the short rows initially, fortunately, if you read very carefully, all becomes clear. Thanks again for a lovely knit!
When I go to do the baby version of the hat and I continue past the ear flaps onto the body of the hat… there is a visible hole in one spot on both ear flaps (on the one edge where I had done the last wrap and turn) and I’m not sure how to get rid of them? I have pulled out my work 4 times and started again but it happens every time. Any idea why?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in. It might help if you pick up that wrapped stitch and knit it with the live stitch. This could close up the hole or simply sewing up the hole at the end will do it. Best of luck!
-Adam
Hi, thank you for this pattern, it’s adorable.
I’m a little confused about these instructions: “Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 inches from the rolled edge at the center of an Ear Flap, or until approximately 3 1/4 inches shy of desired finished height.”
Can you explain what the rolled edge at the center of the ear flap is? Like, where am I supposed to be measuring from? The cast-on edge?
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the question. You’ll measure from the cast on edge at the edge of the ear flap. Since this edge is curled you’ll want to measure it with the edge rolled up. I hope this clears things up!
-Adam
But the pattern says specifically to measure from the center of the ear flap. If you measure from the front of the hat it will be very tall; more like a Santa style hat than this elf-like shape. I have made two and measured from the cast on edge at the center of an ear flap up to my live edge and they both turned out just like the pictures. If you look at the smallest hat, it does not appear to be 4 inches from the cast on edge at the front to the beginning of the decreases. Am I missing something?
Hi Jenifer,
Thank you for catching that! I am terribly sorry for the confusion! You will indeed measure from the bottom edge of the ear flap and not the front or back edge. I have fixed my comment response so there will be no confusion going forward. Thanks again!
-Adam
Excited to knit this hat! Having a hard time figuring out the ear flaps. After the wrap turn, do I purl, or continue knitting? I know it says knitting, but if I’ve turned, aren’t I now on the purl side?
Thanks so much!
Hi Polly,
Thanks for writing in! After the wrap and turn on each row of the ear flaps, you will move onto the next row. The majority of each of these rows will be knits to preserve the garter look.
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
I am knitting garter ear flap hat – am confused when u wrap & turn and then u r on purl row is that a second row? And do u wrap and turn on purl rows?
Hi Joan,
Thanks for writing in! As you are knitting flat on the ears, you will not have purl rows on the ear flaps. Once you wrap and turn, you are on the next row and will follow the knit instructions. So for the example, t”he row instructions that read “Next Two Rows: Knit to – (7, 7, 7, 7, 7) stitches before next marker, wrp-t”, you will knit to 7 stitches before the marker, wrap and turn and then knit to 7 stitches before the marker and wrap and turn.
I hope that this clears things up for you!
Cassy
I just started the body of the hat and it seems that the last 3 purl stitches of the round and the first 3 purl stitches of the round don’t line up. I counted my short rows to make sure I had the same amount on each side ( I got the same amount on each side). I did the ear flaps again anyways and ran into the same problem when I started the body. The purl stitches at the end of the round appear a row above the stitches at the beginning. It seems like there is an extra row at the end of the round. It might not look too bad after blocking. Any insight would help.
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for writing us. Because the ear flaps are completed in one round, there shouldn’t be an extra row on one side of the marker. When knitting in the round you are actually knitting in a spiral and not stacked rounds. This means that when you pass your beginning of round marker you will sometimes get a jog. This jog is especially visible when doing stripes or changing stitch patterns. The last stitch will seem to float above the first stitch by almost an entire stitch. I’d search the internet for jogless stripes — there are many tutorials and the jogless stripe pertains to your situation because you are changing stitch patterns instead of colors. Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions!
-Adam
Hello,
I would just like to say thank you! This is such a wonderful pattern and I appreciate that you have introduced me to the short row ear flap making! This will be very useful in many more hat project.
So again Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this cute hat pattern. I am a skilled knitter/crochet. However reading patterns can sometimes be a challenge. I have put 68 sts and 4+1 markers on my circular needle. I have knitted 2 rows. My problem is the ears. I understand short rows but am having a problem. Looking at 18sts for the ear – only working across 8sts ending at 1 st does not work you across the full 18sts. (only part of the way across). Am I right in wrp-t at each end of the rows? I did and only 1 side of the ear shapes. the other side end/rap around 1 st. alone. I am working in a garter stitch. Thank you for your help. Maureen
After a week –I got it! I got it! I cracked the code for the ears. It is not the first 8sts you are working on(out of 18) for wrp-t. You work until you reach the last 8sts of the 18sts for the ear, then start to wrpt-t back and forth (until you get to 1st. Thanks again, Maureen ( have one ear done).
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for writing in! You have got it exactly!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi
I love this hat but I’ve had huge problems following the pattern, and from the number of comments and queries, I’m not the only one!
Given that the pattern is a mix of straight rows and knitting in the round, and that garter stitch has to alternate knit and purl rows when in the round, would it not be much easier if you actually specified the rows as knit or purl instead of writing everything as knit?
Just a thought!
Hi Jo,
Thanks for writing in! We totally understand that this hat is a bit of a challenge to wrap one’s brain around given that it is garter and there are quite a bit of short rows. We do indicate knit and purl for each row of this lovely pattern. In the short row section, as you are working back and forth, each row will be knits. Once you get back to working in the round, we indicate alternating between purl and knit rows.
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy