Introducing the perfect worsted weight fox ears hat knitting pattern. This free knitting pattern comes in sizes baby, toddler, children, women and men. You’ll be making hats for everyone you know!
If you like this pattern, you will love our chunky bear ears hat!
* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
Links to our coordinating animal ears hats patterns: Bear Fox Bunny Cat Mouse
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
Supplies:
Yarn – Any worsted #4 weight.
The yarn used in the photos is Loops & Threads Impeccable.
Purchase online: (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels)
Other acrylic options to consider – Red Heart Super Saver, Bernat Super Value.
Wool blend option to consider – Lion Brand Wool Ease (#4 weight).
Needles – Please check your gauge before starting as you may need to go up or down a needle size to get the fit just right. Size US 6 /4mm 16” long circular needles for the brim. Size US 7/4.5mm, 16” long circular needles for the body; US 7/4.5mm double pointed needles for the decrease.
Darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape and scissors.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 16 stitches and 23 rows in stocking stitch.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
0-3 Months, 3-12 Months, 1-2 Years (toddler), 3-12 Years (child), Teen/Women, Men
Recommended head circumference for each size:
0-3 Months – 13-15” 3-12 Years – 19-21”
3-12 Months – 15-18” Teen/Women – 21-22″
1-2 Years – 18-19” Men – 23-24”
Directions:
0 – 3 Months:
Cast on 48 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 6 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 4.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 12” around (unstretched) and 5.75” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
3-12 Months:
Cast on 56 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 7 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 13” around (unstretched) and 6.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
1-2 Years (toddler):
Cast on 64 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 14” around (unstretched) and 7” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
3-12 Years (child):
Cast on 72 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5.5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 16” around (unstretched) and 7.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Teen/Women:
Cast on 80 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 9 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 6.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 18” around (unstretched) and 8.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Men:
Cast on 88 stitches on your smaller circular needles. Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 10 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 7” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K9, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 20” around (unstretched) and 9.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Making The Ears
Use the same size needles you used for the main section of the hat (not the brim). Leave at least a 6 inch tail to attach the ear onto the hat.
Outer Ear (make 2):
Cast on 10 in the color Orange.
Row 1 – Knit. Turn after completing each row.
Row 2 – Purl
Row 3 – Knit
Row 4 – Purl
Row 5 – Knit
Row 6 – Purl
Row 7 – Knit
Row 8 – Purl. Cut yarn and switch to the color Black.
Row 9 – K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K1 (8 left)
Row 10 – Purl
Row 11 – K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1 (6 left)
Row 12 – Purl
Row 13 – K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1 (4 left)
Row 14 – Purl
Row 15 – K2tog, K2tog (2 left). Cut yarn and weave through last two stitches.
Inner Ear (make 2):
Cast on 8 in the color White.
Row 1 – Knit. Turn after completing each row.
Row 2 – Purl
Row 3 – Knit
Row 4 – Purl
Row 5 – Knit
Row 6 – Purl
Row 7 – Knit
Row 8 – Purl
Row 9 – K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1 (6 left)
Row 10 – Purl
Row 11 – K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1 (4 left)
Row 12 – Purl
Row 13 – K2tog, K2tog (2 left). Cut yarn and weave through last two stitches.
Attaching The Ears:
Place the inner and outer ear pieces together. The pearl sides go on the inside (touching one another) and the knit sides facing the outside. The outer ear should frame the inner ear.
Using the contrast color tail, begin stitching the two pieces together. When picking up on the inner ear, insert your needle into the turn stitches. When picking up on the outer ear, insert your needle into the 1st pearl stitch of each row (not the turn stitch). This will hide the yarn along the back the best possible. If you pick up the turn stitch on the outer ear, the contrast color yarn will be visible on the front and back of the ear
Continue working up the ear to the top and back down the other side. When you get to the tip of the ear, tuck the two tails from when you finished the ear pieces into the inside of the ear. Once you finish the ear, give those two ends a gentle tug if you want to adjust the shape of the ear at the top. Tuck these tails inside the ear or cut if they are quite long. Do not cut the two tails from the starting of each ear piece. If the contrast yarn is showing along the back, gently pull the white stitches next to it to try and hide it. If the pink is fully exposed on the back, you may be inserting your needle into the wrong spot.
When attaching the ears to the hat, use the contrast color tail to attach along that same colored section of the ear and main color tail to stitch along the sides and back.
Repeat for the second ear, making sure they are placed evenly on the hat.
Links to our coordinating animal ears hats patterns: Bear Fox Bunny Cat Mouse
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase on Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts.
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