How to Crochet a Flap Happy

Crocheting your own flap happy hat is a suitable beginner's project.

A crochet hat with ear flaps is a trendy and practical winter accessory. Due to the ease of construction, a flap happy hat is a suitable beginner's project. It uses basic stitches, and the pattern has room for variation and customization. The hat is constructed by starting at the top and working down, making a basic beanie. The ear flaps are then added on, and a border that incorporates cords for the ear flaps finishes the piece. Each asterisk marks where the instruction needs to be repeated across a round.

Things You'll Need

• Crochet hook
• Yarn

Instructions

Hat

1. Chain four, and join into the round. Chain two, work seven double crochets into the center of the round. Join the round.

2. Chain two, work one double crochet into the each stitch of the previous round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next stitch, work two double crochets into following stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, work two double crochets into each stitch of the previous round. Join the round.

3. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next stitch, work two double crochets into following stitch,* repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next two stitches, work two double crochets into next stitch,* repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next three stitches, work two double crochets into next stitch,* repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next four stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next five stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round.

4. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next six stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next seven stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next eight stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next nine stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round. Chain two, *work one double crochet into the next 10 stitches, work two double crochets into the next stitch,* and repeat across the round. Join the round.

5. Chain two, and work one double crochet into each stitch of the previous round. Join the round. Repeat this round until the hat is the desired size. Fasten off.

Ear Flaps

1. Insert your hook 13 stitches to the left from where you fastened off. Attach the yarn, chain two, and work one double crochet into the next 15 stitches. Work five rows even.

2. Chain two, work one double crochet into the next 14 stitches, and turn your work. Chain two, and work one double crochet into the next 13 stitches. Turn the work. Continue decreasing in this fashion until four stitches remain. Fasten off.

3. Insert your hook 13 stitches to the right from where you fastened off for the main hat. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 of this section.

4. Insert the hook from where you fastened off for the main hat. Attach the yarn, and work one single crochet into every stitch until you reach the point of the first ear flap. Chain 15, work one single crochet into each chain, forming a cord. Continue working around the hat in a single crochet, making another cord at the second ear flap. Fasten off.

Tips & Warnings

• The size of the yarn and hook used affects the size of the hat.

• To make a smaller hat for a child, stop working increase rounds when the hat is large enough. Don't work as many stitches initially for the ear flaps.

References

• "Hip to Crochet"; Judith L. Swartz; 2004
• "Artish"; Quick and Simple Crochet Pattern for a Hat With Earflaps; Leticia Maguire; May 2010