Bomber Ear Flap Hat

This is another version of my bomber ear flap hat with a few more stripes and finishing touches.  This hat size would be ideal for a child 2-5 years of age.

Size 8  dpn and circular needles
3 different color skeins of Bernat Satin yarn worsted weight 100% acrylic
2 buttons
G crochet hook
yarn needle
stitch marker

Ear flaps (make 2) using dpn
CO3
Purl across
K1, MK1R, K1, MK1L, K1
Purl across
K1, MK1R, K to last stitch, MK1L, K1
Purl across
Repeat the last two rows until you have 21 stitches and end with a purl row
knit across row
purl across row

Main Hat: (Use circular needles)

CO12, knit across 21 from one ear flap, CO22, knit across 21 from other ear flap, CO12 (total of 88 stitches)

Join in the round taking care not to twist your stitches. Place stitch marker.

K 4 rows in main color

K2 rows in second color (Don't worry about jogs in the stripes since the seam will be covered by the bomber flap)

K1 rows in main color

K3 rows in third color

K1 row in main color

K1 row in second color

K1 row in main color

K1 row in second color

K1 row in main color

K1 row in second color

K in main color until the hat measures 12 cm (not including ear flap)

Decrease:

[K8, K2tog] repeat to end of round

K across row

[K7, K2tog] repeat to end of round

K across row

[K6, K2tog] repeat to end of round

K across

Continue with this pattern until the last round is K2tog around

Sew yarn through the last stitches, tie knot and sew in all loose ends

Finishing:

With the size G crochet hook, and third color of yarn, single crochet across the 24 stitches on the front of hat (the side with the stitch marker).  Single crochet back and forth until flap measure approx. 10.5 cm (enough to cover the stripes). Tie off.  Using the second color yarn, start at the tip of an ear flap and single crochet around the frame of the hat including the outside of the bomber flap.  You should end at the tip of the ear flap where you began.  Tie ends together and weave in.  For the bomber flap trim: Using second color yarn, slip stitch into the first stitch of the bomber flap then [CH4, slip stitch] up the side of the flap.  From the top corner [CH4, skip stitch, slip stitch] across the top of the flap.  Finish the other side by [CH4, slip stitch] down the other side.  Sew the two buttons to the top corners of the bomber flap to secure it to the main hat.

Braids:  Cut 12 strands of each color of yarn 80 cm (24 strands total).  You will use 6 strands of each color for each ear flap.  Using the darning needle, thread the 6 strands of each color through the end of the ear flap. Divide the yarn into three sections.  There should be 4 strands of each color in each of the three sections.  Braid to the bottom.  Using a piece of main color yarn around 20 cm tie a knot at the bottom of the braid and wrap the excess yarn around.  When there is only a bit left tie a triple knot and use your crochet hook to pull the knot to the back of the wrapped area and put the ends in with the tassel at the end of the braid.  When both braids are done, trim them so they are even. 

Copywrite Material: This pattern may be used to make gifts or donations but you cannot sell items made from this pattern.  You cannot sell this pattern.  This pattern cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or reposted anywhere.  Feel free to link to this pattern if you would like to share it. Happy knitting!