Lopi-style Earflap Hat

– designed by Nelda Radford for Love’s Grace Alpacas. 

For personal use only.

Materials – 1 skein Love’s Grace Farms Lopi-style yarn – any color; hold two strands of yarn together throughout pattern

Knitting needles – 10 mm or US size 15 – use circular needle with magic loop method or dpn’s

Other tools: Yarn needle and/or latch hook for finishing

Size:  Toddler or child (see instructions in parenthesis for medium adult size)

Gauge:  3 rows = 1 inch; 2 stitches = 1 inch in ST st

Finished Measurements:   child-15“ (adult 17”) circumference (will stretch to fit larger heads or use braids to ensure best fit on smaller heads);   child 8“ (adult 8.5”) from front brim to top of hat

Abbreviations:

k: knit; p: purl; st(s): stitich(es)

kfb: knit in front and back of same stitch to make two stitches

k2tog: knit two stitches together to make one stitch

ST st:  stockinette stitch

Earflaps:

 All sizes:  place all sts on a stitch holder or extra needle

Make the second earflap same as the first. 

Child’s size:  Knit across all sts on the 2^nd earflap, and cast on 4 sts (back of hat).   Join 1^st earflap and knit across, then cast on 10 sts (front of hat) – (30 sts).

Adult’s size:  Knit across all sts on the 2^nd earflap, and cast on 5 sts (back of hat).   Join 1^st earflap and knit across, then cast on 11 sts (front of hat) – (36 sts).

Connect to knit in the round and knit in ST st for 5 rows.  Purl 8 (adult-9) rows. Knit 6 rows.

Decrease as follows to form top of hat:

Row 1 – *k4, k2tog* repeat across row

Row 2 – *k3, k2tog* repeat across row

Row 3 – *k2, k2tog* repeat across row

Row 4 – *k1, k2tog* repeat across row

Row 5 – *k2tog* repeat across row

Break yarn and thread through all remaining sts.  Thread through a second time for improved strength.

Cut 6 strands of yarn, each 16”, connect to earflap and braid.  Knot the end.  Cut another 6 strands, connect and braid for second earflap.

Make a 2” pompom and connect to top of hat.