There are so many ways to describe this bear hat – aviator, trapper, ear flaps. Our bear ears version of our original hat knitting pattern is perfect for making handmade gifts for your loved ones, young and old. Comes in sides baby, children and women and uses Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick chunky yarn.
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Supplies:
Yarn – Lion Brand Thick & Quick yarn (Super Bulky 6).
Order online: (Lion Brand) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels) (Love Crafts)
Needles – US 13/9mm or whichever size needed to obtain gauge. Size US 13/9mm circular needles, 16” long and US 13/9mm double pointed needles for the ear flaps.
Darning needle, stitch marker, pompom maker, measuring tape and scissors. I use the Clover brand pompom makers – I use size 3 3/8″ blue size.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 9 stitches and 12 rows in stocking stitch (same as pattern). I recommend using US 13 needles, but if you are a loose knitter you may need to drop down to US 11 or go up to US 15 for tighter knitters.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit your little one properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
Newborn, 0-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-3 Years, 4-12 Years, Women
Directions:
0-6 Months
Cast on 28 stitches on your circular needle. Join.
Brim – alternate between Purl and Knit rows for 9 rows total:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 – Purl
Row 2, 4, 6, 8 – Knit
Next: K all for 9 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end.
Next: K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Move to the ear flaps directions below.
6-12 Months
Cast on 30 stitches on your circular needle. Join.
Brim – alternate between Purl and Knit rows for 9 rows total:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 – Purl
Row 2, 4, 6, 8 – Knit
Next: K all for 11 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (23 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, K1, K2tog. (17 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Move to the ear flaps directions below.
1-3 Years
Cast on 32 stitches on your circular needle. Join.
Brim – alternate between Purl and Knit rows for 11 rows total:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 – Purl
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 – Knit
Next: K all for 12 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (18 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Move to the ear flaps directions below.
4-12 Years
Cast on 34 stitches on your circular needle. Join.
Brim – alternate between Purl and Knit rows for 11 rows total:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 – Purl
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 – Knit
Next: K all for 13 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (26 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Move to the ear flaps directions below.
Women
Cast on 36 stitches on your circular needle. Join.
Brim – alternate between Purl and Knit rows for 11 rows total:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 – Purl
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 – Knit
Next: K all for 14 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (27 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last three stitches, K1, K2tog. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Move to the ear flaps directions below.
Ear Flaps
Stitches are picked up on the sides of the hat to make the ear flaps. You will pick up 6 stitches (size 0-6 months and 6-12 months); or 8 stitches (1-3 years, 4-12 years and women). Pick up the first stitch in the same location as when you joined the cast on stitches in the round. You will be working with the outside of the hat facing you, upside down.
Pick up your stitches, working right to left. Insert the needle into the two bottom loops of the brim and knit the stitch onto the right needle. Pick up at each set of loops.
Once you have picked up the 6(8) stitches, begin the ear flap.
Size 0-6 months; 6-12 months:
Cast on 6 stitches. Turn. You will now be working from the inside of the hat. Turn your work after completing each row of the hat.
Row 1 – Knit (inside of hat)
Row 2 – Knit (outside of hat)
Row 3 – Knit (inside)
Row 4 – K2, K2tog, K2 (outside; 5 left)
Row 5 – Knit (inside)
Row 6 – K1, K2tog, K2 (outside; 4 left)
Row 7 – Knit (inside)
Row 8 – K1, K2tog, K1 (outside; 3 left)
Cast off. Do not cut the yarn. Move to the Side Ties directions below.
Size 1-3 years; 4-12 years; women:
Cast on 8 stitches. Turn. You will now be working from the inside of the hat. Turn your work after completing each row of the flap.
Row 1 – Knit (inside of hat)
Row 2 – Knit (outside of hat)
Row 3 – Knit (inside)
Row 4 – K3, K2tog, K3 (outside; 7 left)
Row 5 – Knit (inside)
Row 6 – K3, K2tog, K2 (outside; 6 left)
Row 7 – Knit (inside)
Row 8 – K2, K2tog, K2 (outside; 5 left)
Row 9 – Knit (inside)
Row 10 – K1, K2tog, K2 (outside; 4 left)
Row 11 – Knit (inside)
Row 12 – K1, K2tog, K1 (outside; 3 left)
Cast off. Do not cut the yarn. Move to the Side Ties directions below.
Side Ties
After casting off and with one stitch left on the needle, slip the stitch to your crochet hook. Do not cut the yarn.
Starting with the loop on the hook, chain: 16 (0-6 months); 20 (6-12 months); 24 (1-3 years) 27 (4-12 years); 30 (women) – or your desired length of the ties. Next, slip stitch through each chain all the way back up to the ear flap. slip through one stitch on the inside of the ear flap to secure the tie better. Cut yarn and weave the end up the ear flap along the inside.
2nd Ear Flap
The ear flaps should be evenly spread out directly across from each other along the hat. To determine where to start your 2nd ear flap, hold the hat upside down with the right side facing you. You will count out the stitches to leave between the end of the 1st flap and the start of the 2nd flap. Use the number below based on the size you are making. Count this number of stitches and then begin your 2nd ear flap the same way you did the 1st flap.
0-6 months – 8 stitches between ear flaps.
6-12 months – 9 stitches between ear flaps.
1-3 years – 8 stitches between ear flaps.
4-12 years – 9 stitches between ear flaps.
Women – 10 stitches between ear flaps.
Make the 2nd flap the same way as the 1st flap. Weave in all ends.
Adding the bear ears
Cast on 10 stitches. Leave at least a 6 inch tail to attach the ear onto the hat.
Row 1-3: K all (10 sts). Turn.
Row 4 – Sl st, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, Sl st. (7 stitches)
Row 5 – K2tog, K2tog, K2tog, K1. (4 stitches)
Row 6 – K2tog, K2tog (2 stitches)
Row 7 – K2tog (1 stitch)
Cut tail, leaving 6 inches to attach ear onto hat. Pull the tail through the remaining stitch.
Using a darning needle, weave the 1st tail (attached at the corner) along the bottom edge of the ear, passing the 2nd tail and continuing to the other corner. Pull the tail to shape the ear into a half circle.
Attach the ear to the edge of the hat. Weave the tail in and out all along the base of the ear and hat to secure it properly. Make sure to tack the corners of the ear to keep it in place and give it a nice shape.
Repeat for the second ear, making sure they are placed evenly on the hat.
Bear face directions:
The photos below show the face being added to our regular bear hat. The directions are the same for the ear flap version. Follow the chart below and add the white part of the face using a duplicate stitch. Begin the face on the 1st or 2nd Knit all row, above the ribbing. Work your way back and forth starting from the bottom and moving up, one row at a time. If you are not familiar with duplicate stitch, this video is helpful!
Next, add the bear nose. Follow the steps shown in the photos.
Next, add the eyes. Follow the steps shown in the photos. Work one stitch top to bottom, one side to side, and then one going from corner to corner on each side. If you are happy with the way it looks, tie and weave in the ends. You can continue adding more stitches if you want the eyes to be bigger.
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