![Kids’ Basic Aviator and Braided Tassel Earflap Hats [S.O.P. Series]](https://i0.wp.com/www.tugboatyarning.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BasicAviatorEarflapAD.jpg?resize=670%2C300&ssl=1 "Kids’ Basic Aviator and Braided Tassel Earflap Hats [S.O.P. Series]")
Among the many pattern notes floating around my house, I have my go-to hats to make for my kids and friend’s kids. Either leave the earflaps where they are for an aviator style hat, or pop some braids on the ends of those ears for fun added color. You can spice up the hat with animal ears, shapes or designs, or simple stripes. Seriously, you won’t know what to do because there are way too many options out there. However, I’ve listed a few of my favorite embellishments towards the bottom, so be sure to check those out!
Without further ado, here is your next favorite pattern to keep the littles in your life cute and cozy in their new favorite hat!
KID BASIC AVIATOR & BRAIDED TASSEL EARFLAP HATS
Materials
- Worsted Weight Yarn
- Crochet Hook Size I (I for “ice cream”)
- Primary color for main hat and earflaps
- Secondary color for border edging of hat
- Three colors for braided tassels
- Miscellaneous yarns for embellishments of your choosing
- Darning Needle (for weaving in ends)
Sizing
- 6-12 Month Old: 15-17” Head Circumference
- 12-24 Month Old: 18-19” Head Circumference
- 2-4 Year Old: 19-20” Head Circumference
- Large Child/Small Adult: 21” Head Circumference
Abbreviations
- r = row
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- hdc2tog = half double crochet two stitches together
- hdc3tog = half double crochet three stitches together
- *instructions* = repeat around
6-12 MONTH SIZE
Main Hat
R1: ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form ring; ch 2, 10 dc’s in ring, sl st to first dc to join (10).
R2: ch 2, two sc’s in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join (20).
R3: ch 2, *1sc in first, 2sc in second*, sl st to first dc to join (30).
R4: ch 2, *1sc in first, 1sc in second, 2sc in third*, sl st to first dc to join (40).
R5: ch 2, *1sc in first 9 st’s, 2 sc in next*, sl st to first dc to join (44).
R6-R13: ch 2, dc in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join; do not finish.
Right Earflap
Continuing with yarn at end of R13,
R14: ch 1, 1hdc in next 9 st’s (9).
R15: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 5 st’s, hdc2tog (7).
R16: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R17: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 3 st’s, hdc2tog (5).
R18: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R19: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc, hdc2tog (3).
R20: ch 1, turn, hdc3tog, finish.
Left Earflap
Re-attach yarn 17 st’s to the left of the join line and also the right earflap. Repeat R14-R20 to make the left earflap. When done, you should have 8 st’s between the two earflaps from the backside where the join line is.
Border Edging
Attach your border color yarn to the back of the hat half-way between both earflaps. Ch 1 and hdc around hat edge, making sure to hdc2tog at the four points where you move from the base of the hat to/from the earflap edge, and also 3 hdc’s in the two points of the earflaps; sl st to first hdc to join, finish and weave in all ends.
12-24 MONTH SIZE
Main Hat
R1: ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form ring; ch 2, 10 dc’s in ring, sl st to first dc to join (10).
R2: ch 2, two sc’s in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join (20).
R3: ch 2, *1sc in first, 2sc in second*, sl st to first dc to join (30).
R4: ch 2, *1sc in first, 1sc in second, 2sc in third*, sl st to first dc to join (40).
R5: ch 2, *1sc in first 3 st’s, 2sc in next*, sl st to first dc to join (50).
R6-R14: ch 2, dc in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join; do not finish.
Right Earflap
Continuing with yarn at end of R14,
R15: ch 1, 1hdc in next 9 st’s (9).
R16: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 5 st’s, hdc2tog (7).
R17: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R18: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 3 st’s, hdc2tog (5).
R19: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R20: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc, hdc2tog (3).
R21: ch 1, turn, hdc3tog, finish.
Left Earflap
Re-attach yarn 19 st’s to the left of the join line and also the right earflap. Repeat R15-R21 to make the left earflap. When done, you should have 10 st’s between the two earflaps from the backside where the join line is.
Border Edging
Attach your border color yarn to the back of the hat half-way between both earflaps. Ch 1 and hdc around hat edge, making sure to hdc2tog at the four points where you move from the base of the hat to/from the earflap edge, and also 3 hdc’s in the two points of the earflaps; sl st to first hdc to join, finish and weave in all ends.
2-4 YEAR SIZE
Main Hat
R1: ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form ring; ch 2, 10 dc’s in ring, sl st to first dc to join (10).
R2: ch 2, two sc’s in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join (20).
R3: ch 2, *1sc in first, 2sc in second*, sl st to first dc to join (30).
R4: ch 2, *1sc in first, 1sc in second, 2sc in third*, sl st to first dc to join (40).
R5: ch 2, *1sc in first 3 st’s, 2sc in next*, sl st to first dc to join (50).
R6-R16: ch 2, dc in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join; do not finish.
Right Earflap
Continuing with yarn at end of R16,
R17: ch 1, 1hdc in next 9 st’s (9).
R18: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 5 st’s, hdc2tog (7).
R19: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R20: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 3 st’s, hdc2tog (5).
R21: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R22: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc, hdc2tog (3).
R23: ch 1, turn, hdc3tog, finish.
Left Earflap
Re-attach yarn 20 st’s to the left of the join line and also the right earflap. Repeat R17-R23 to make the left earflap. When done, you should have 11 st’s between the two earflaps from the backside where the join line is.
Border Edging
Attach your border color yarn to the back of the hat half-way between both earflaps. Ch 1 and hdc around hat edge, making sure to hdc2tog at the four points where you move from the base of the hat to/from the earflap edge, and also 3 hdc’s in the two points of the earflaps; sl st to first hdc to join, finish and weave in all ends.
LARGE CHILD/ADULT SMALL SIZE
Main Hat
R1: ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook to form ring; ch 2, 12 dc’s in ring, sl st to first dc to join (12).
R2: ch 2, two sc’s in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join (24).
R3: ch 2, *1sc in first, 2sc in second*, sl st to first dc to join (36).
R4: ch 2, *1sc in first, 1sc in second, 2sc in third*, sl st to first dc to join (48).
R5: ch 2, *1sc in first 7 st’s, 2 sc in next*, sl st to first dc to join (54).
R6-R16: ch 2, dc in ea st around, sl st to first dc to join; do not finish.
Right Earflap
Continuing with yarn at end of R16,
R17: ch 1, 1hdc in next 11 st’s (11).
R18: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 7 st’s, hdc2tog (9).
R19: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across
R20: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 5 st’s, hdc2tog (7).
R21: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R22: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 3 st’s, hdc2tog (5).
R23: ch 1, turn, hdc’s across.
R24: ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, 1hdc, hdc2tog (3).
R25: ch 1, turn, hdc3tog, finish.
Left Earflap
Re-attach yarn 23 st’s to the left of the join line and also the right earflap. Repeat R17-R25 to make the left earflap. When done, you should have 12 st’s between the two earflaps from the backside where the join line is.
Border Edging
Attach your border color yarn to the back of the hat half-way between both earflaps. Ch 1 and hdc around hat edge, making sure to hdc2tog at the four points where you move from the base of the hat to/from the earflap edge, and also 3 hdc’s in the two points of the earflaps; sl st to first hdc to join, finish and weave in all ends.
ADDING BRAIDED TASSELS
Each earflap will have 18 strands of yarn to make each braided tassel. You will fold the strands of yarn in half and pull that loop through the bottom point of the earflap where you placed the 3 hdc’s with the border yarn. Once the loop is through the earflap, pull the ends of the strands in through that loop and pull tight. If you’ve used three colors for the braid, separate them by color and then braid them together, knotting at the bottom. Please note: it’s best to wait to pull the knot really tight until both braids are completed so you can make sure the knots line up on both sides and then pull the rest of the way tight.
- Each braid has 18 strands of yarn, so 6 strands of 3 colors:
- 6-12 Month: 18 strands per braid, 36” long
- 12-24 Month: 18 strands per braid, 38” long
- 2-4 Year: 18 strands per braid, 40” long
- Large Child/Small Women’s: 18 strands per braid, 42” long
EMBELLISHMENT IDEAS
Click on the images below to find the patterns for the added features of each hat!
Cupcake Appliqué
Fox Ears
Kitty Cat Ears
Dinosaur Spikes
Permission to Use this Pattern
You may use this pattern for personal or commercial use, but please reference this website as its creator and link back to this pattern page. The pattern (including any photos associated with it) may not be reproduced or posted elsewhere in any capacity. Thank you!
If you make one, I’d love to see it! Just find my email on the e-Social Page and send a picture my way!
~M