How to Make a Fleece Hat With Ears

Fleece hats are warm, soft and easy to make. Adding ears (ear flaps), which will keep your ears warm, is as simple as adding a few extra steps to the process. The best part about making a fleece hat is the wide range of fleece fabrics from which to choose. You can create a unique and personal fleece hat with ears if you have basic sewing skills. You will be so pleased with your creation, you'll want to make them for everyone on your Christmas list.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fleece fabric Scissors Paper Pencil Straight pins Thread Embroidery floss Sewing machine Needle

1. Decide on the size of the fleece hat with ears before you cut into the fleece fabric. Using a tape measure, measure the circumference of the person's head (at ear level, including the ears). If the person is not available, see the tips below for sizing. Add ½ inch for the seam allowances.

2. Cut two pieces of fleece fabric, the width decided upon in step 1 and a length of 11 inches for an adult, 8 inches for a child and between 6 to 7 inches for infants and newborns, depending on their head size.

3. Cut the ear flaps. Make a paper pattern of an equilateral triangle, each side measuring 5 1/2-inches. Cut four triangles.

4. Sew the ear flaps, with two of the pieces (triangles) for each one, right sides together. Use a ¼-inch seam allowance throughout. Pin and sew around all three sides, leaving a 2-inch opening at the center top (long end of the triangle). Pull the ear flaps right-side out, through the opening of each ear flap. Hand-sew the openings shut. Set the ear flaps aside.

5. Sew three sides of the fleece hat, the right, left and top sides, with a ¼-inch seam and the right sides of the fabric together.

6. Fold the bottom of the fleece hat up 1 inch. Pin the fold in place.

7. Pin the ear flaps to the fleece hat. Locate the back center of the hat by matching the side seams together. Place a pin at the center back. Measure 3 inches on each side. Match up the edge of the triangle (long side) and pin it at this spot and across to the other end of the triangle, matching the top of the 1-inch hem. Repeat on the other side.

8. Sew around the fleece hat, slightly below the top of the fold, catching the top of the ear flaps as you go.

9. Tack the ear flaps at the bottom of the hat on each side by hand, so they stay in place.

10. Finish the fleece hat with ear flaps by creating decorative top knots at each side of the hat. Measure down about 1 inch at each corner at the top of the hat. With a matching or coordinating color of embroidery floss, bunch the corner together and tie around it with a double knot. Repeat on the other side. Cut the floss close to each knot.

Tips & Warnings

• General head measurements for a man is 23 inches, woman is 22 inches. Fleece fabric does not ravel; therefore, there is no need to double fold hems.

Resources

• Fleece Hat Embellishment - video