PATTERN: Football Earflap Beanie

Well, it's finally finished and ready for you to follow along here on the blog <OR> you can go to Ravelry and download a PDF to keep for your very own!

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Start with a Magic Circle ((or chain 4 and join to form a circle, ch 1.)).

Rnd 1
8 HDC in circle, pull tight. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 2
2 HDC in each stitch around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 3
*1 HDC in first stitch, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 4
*1 HDC in the next 2 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 5
*1 HDC in the next 3 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 6
*1 HDC in the next 4 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 7
*1 HDC in the next 5 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
Rnd 8
*1 HDC in the next 6 stitches, 2 HDC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first HDC. Ch 1.
>>Tie off and secure. Switch to white.<<
Rnds 9 and 10
Join white with a sl st, ch 1, SC in same stitch as ch 1 and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first SC. Ch 1.
>>Tie off and secure. Switch to brown.<<
Rnds 11 - 18
Join brown with a sl st, ch 1, HDC in same stitch as ch 1 and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first HDC. Ch1.
>>Tie off and secure. Switch to white.<<
Rnds 19 and 20
Join white with a sl st, ch 1, SC in same stitch as ch 1 and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first SC. Ch 1.
>>Tie off and secure. Switch to brown.<<
Rnds 21 and 22
Join brown with a sl st, ch 1, SC in same stitch as ch 1 and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first SC. 

Earflaps
The first earflap is made immediately after the final round is completed so don't cut your yarn.

Flap One
Ch 1.

Row 1
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in the next 10 stitches. Ch 1. (11 HDC)
Row 2
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in the next 10 stitches. Ch 1. (11 HDC)
Row 3
HDC dec over first 2 stitches. 1 HDC in next 7 stitches. HDC dec over last 2 stitches. Ch 1. (9 HDC)
Row 4
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in each stitch across. (9 HDC)
Row 5
HDC dec over first 2 stitches. 1 HDC in next 5 stitches. HDC dec over last 2 stitches. Ch 1. (7 HDC)
Row 6 
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in each stitch across. (7 HDC)
Row 7
HDC dec over first 2 stitches. 1 HDC in next 3 stitches. HDC dec over last 2 stitches. Ch 1. (5 HDC)
Row 8
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in each stitch across. (5 HDC)
Row 9
HDC dec over first 2 stitches. 1 HDC in next stitch. HDC dec over last 2 stitches. Ch 1. (3 HDC)
Row 10
1 HDC in same space as ch 1 and in each stitch across. (3 HDC)
Row 11
HDC dec over all three stitches. Tie off and leave a tail about 4 inches long.

Flap 2
Counting stitches that will lay across the forehead (the front of the hat): from right to left count 18 stitches across. Begin Flap 2 in the 19th stitch, joining with a slip stitch.

Follow the directions of Rows 1-11.

You can slip stitch or single crochet around the earflaps to make the edges look "finished" if you want.


Football Stitches

These will go on the front of the hat.

With white yarn thread a length about 12 inches long into your yarn needle.

In the middle of the front of the hat, across rounds 12 to 17, sew two or three long vertical "threads". (As seen in the picture) 

Secure on the wrong side with a double knot. Make sure the knot will not be so large as to leave a mark on the wearer's forehead. You could also weave the yarn through the stitches on the wrong side of the hat as long as the white won't show through on the right side.

For the horizontal "threads" use a length of yarn about 18 inches in length and thread it into your yarn needle. Double this thread. Make three horizontal "threads" as seen in the image. Secure on the wrong side of the hat.

Weave in any loose ends.


Braids

For younger children (under the age of 3) use shorter braids at a length of 8" to 10" so as not to have a choking hazard.

Cut equal lengths of brown and white yarn. You can use as many or as few as you like. And you can make the braids any length that you want. 

For the hat in the picture, I used 30 lengths of yarn (15 of each color) 24 inches long. 

Trim the ends of the braids to make them even and you're done!



I hope you enjoy making this hat as much as I did!

Peace and blessings,
~~Karen~~