Nicholas' Christmas Ear Flap Hat

I was asked to write up a pattern for the hat, and here it is. Enjoy...

Nicholas' Christmas Ear Flap Hat

Materials:

• I used less then 1 skein of Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted (Green) and Columbia Minerva Nantuk Sports Yarn (Red) double stranded to make up for the weight difference) I'd say no more then 200g of yarn, but you will want to add yarn if you are going to knit it longer then below.
• 16″ circular needle and at least three DPNs to match, to meet gauge (I used US8)
• 1 stitch marker

Gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Ear Flaps:
Cast On 7 sts with MC to a double pointed needle. (Make 2 of these)
Row 1: K1, P5, K1
Row 2: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1
Row 3: K1, P7, K1
Row 4: K1, M1, K7, M1, K1
Row 5: K1, P9, K1
Row 6: K1, M1, K9, M1, K1
Row 7: K1, P11, K1
Row 8: K1, M1, K11, M1, K1
Row 9: K1, P13, K1
Row10: K1, M1, K13, M1, K1
Row11: P to end

Row12: K to end
Row13: P to end

Repeat Rows 12-13 until flaps are desired length, mine were 3.5 inches long. Leave a long tail (8-12 inches), this will help when weaving in ends to close up any gaps the form.

Hat:
Cast on 10 sts to a circular needle, knit the 15 from the DPN for the first ear flap, then cast on 24 sts, 15 from the other ear flap, then cast on 10 more sts.

Join, being careful not to twist your work, place a marker. (Note: If you are going to add any stitch patters/fair isle details, the marker is at the center of the back of the head.

Round 1 (MC): K9, k2tog, K 13, K2tog, K23, K2tog, K13, K2tog, K9 to end of round (70 Sts).
Rounds 2-5: Knit round
Rounds 6-10 (SC): Knit round
Rounds 11-15(MC): Knit round

Continue in 5 rounds of alternating MC and SC until you reach your desired length of the head of the hat. My hat was 3 inches from the beginning of the rounds, or 6.5 inches from ear flaps

Begin Decrease:
Start round 1 with your next color and continue switching colors every 5 rows.
Round 1: *K8, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 2-5: Knit round
Round 6 : *K7, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 7-10: Knit round
Round 11: *K6, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 12-15: Knit round
Round 16: *K5, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 17-20: Knit round
Round 21: *K4, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 21-25: Knit round
Round 26: *K3, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 27-30: Knit round
Round 31: *K2, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 32-35: Knit round
Round 36: *K1, K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 37-40: Knit round
Round 41: *K2tog*, *repeat until end of round
Rounds 21-25: Knit round

You should now have 7 sts , use a needle to pull through and pull tight, weave in all ends and tighten up any gaps you see. I also added a tassel to the end, just cut 3 pieces of yarn, use a crochet hook to pull them though, and pass the ends into the loop, pull tight and trim ends. Also adding the ties for the ear flaps add 3 pieces of yarn, and braid, or you could also do an icord or even just pick up a few sts and knit back and fort 3-4 sts. I used the braid in this hat.

Note: This pattern was inspired by Julie her pattern is here. Also if you have a hard time getting the ear flaps onto the circular needle Julie has a great video on youtube here showing how to do it.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!