Our adorable bear ears hat free knitting pattern is a hit with knitters. The pattern will give you all the details to make this hat in sizes newborn, toddlers, children.
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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 – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (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 decrease, if desired.
Darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape and scissors.
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, 0-3 Months, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-3 Years, 4-12 Years.
Directions:
Newborn:
Cast on 24 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 7 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
0-3 Months
Cast on 26 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 8 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
K all for 1 round.
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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
3-6 Months
Cast on 28 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 5 rounds.
K all for 10 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
6-12 Months
Cast on 30 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 6 rounds.
K all for 10 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, K2together. (17 stitches)
Next row – K all.
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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
1-3 Years
Cast on 32 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 11 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. 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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
4-12 Years
Cast on 34 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 12 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. 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.
Move on to the ears (directions below)
Bear ears directions:
Cast on 10 stitches in main color. Leave at least a 6 inch tail to attach the ear onto the hat.
Row 1 – K all (10 sts). Turn.Cut yarn and switch to contrast color. Turn.
Row 2-3 – 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.
Attach a button or leather tag (optional).
Some of our other animal ear hats available on our blog and in our pattern shop.
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.
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