Owl Hat Instructions From Sew Chic!

"My inspirations behind the colors I chose were from my daughter.  Everything must be purple, otherwise, I have to fight to get her to wear it!  Green almost always works well with purple, white eyes pop, and burnt orange for the beak." ~Stacy Allen

The hat shown in the photo's was worked with Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  Any medium weight yarn would work nicely, however I suggest using wool so that the hat is warmer.

Instructions:

MATERIALS:
Size J Hook
3 - 4 different colors of medium weight yarn


SIZING:  (Approx. Head Circumference)
Newborn fits up to 13 inches
3-6 Mos fits 14-15 inches
6-12 Mos fits 16-17 inches
12-24 Mos fits 18-19 inches
2T-4T Fits 19-20 inches
5T Fits 20-21 inches

NOTES:
SL ST - Slip Stitch
ST - Stitch
YO - Yarn Over
*  Dc2tog - (YO, Insert hook into next ST and draw up a loop. YO and draw through 2 loops) 2 times, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook
*  Dc3tog - (YO, Insert hook into next ST and draw up a loop. YO and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yO and draw through all 4 loops on hook




PATTERN:
CH 3 (3,3,3,4,4), SL ST in first CH to form ring.


CH 3 (counts as first DC now and throughout). DC 10 (11,12,13,14,15) in ring. SL ST in third CH.


CH 3. DC in same ST as CH 3. DC twice in each DC around. SL ST in third CH.  22(24,26,28,30,32) DC formed.


CH 3. DC twice in next DC. **DC, 2DC** in each DC around, until 1 DC remains. 1 DC in last DC. SL ST in third CH. 33(36,39,42,45,48) DC formed.


CH 3. **DC twice in next DC, DC in next 2 DC.** in each DC around, until 2 DC remain. 2 DC in next DC, one DC in last DC. SL ST in third CH. 44(48,52,56,60,64) DC formed.


CH 3. DC in each DC around. SL ST in third CH.


Change color here to create center stripe if desired. 


Repeat last round 0(0, 1, 1, 2, 3) times.  Note: change color back to color A if creating center stripe.


DC in each DC around. SL ST in 3rd DC. 


Repeat prior step 2 more times.


SL ST in next 6(7, 7, 8, 8, 9) ST, then begin Ear Flap.


Ear flap:
CH 3. DC in next 8(9, 9, 10, 10, 11) DC. Turn and begin to work back.
CH 3. Dc2tog. DC next 3(4,4,5,5,6) DC. Dc2tog. DC in last ST (ch 3 ST). Turn.
CH 3. Dc2tog, DC next 1(2,2,3,3,4) DC, Dc2tog, DC in last ST. Turn.


Work next row based on size below:
Newborn -  CH 3. Dc3tog. DC in last st. Cut yarn and pull through.
3-6/6-12 Mos - CH 3. Dc2tog twice. DC in last ST. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.
12-24 Mos/2T-4T - CH 3. Dc2tog, DC, dc2tog. DC in last ST. Turn. CH 3. Dc3tog. DC in last st. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.
5T - CH 3. Dc2tog, DC in next 2 ST. Dc2tog in next 2 ST. DC in last ST. Turn. CH 3. Dc2tog twice (next 4 ST). DC in last ST. Cut yarn and pull through last ST.


All sizes, continue as follows:


Fold hat in half and SL ST in DC directly across from last DC formed on first earflap. Follow directions above for size needed.


SL ST in center back of hat. SC around entire hat, including the earflaps. SL ST in first SC. Cut yarn and pull through ST.


BRAIDS:
Cut a total of 18 pieces of yarn 4 feet/144 inches long. (Use less strands for less weight). Fold yarn in half, and join through the bottom of earflap until all 18 strands are connected.  Create a knot at the top of the strands, just below the earflap.  Separate strands into three bunches and braid. Continue all the way to end of yarn, and tie a knot at the bottom to secure braid. Trim ends to make even. 


Repeat on other side.


EYES:
CH 4, join with SL ST.


CH 1, SC 8 times in ring.  SL ST into CH 1.


CH 1, ** 2 SC in next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC. (16 SC)


CH 1, ** 1 SC into next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC.


CH 1, ** 2 SC into next SC** repeat to end.  SL ST into first SC. (32 SC)


CH 1, ** 1 SC into next SC** repeat to end. SL ST into first SC.


Fasten off.


BEAK:
CH 5. Turn.
SC in 2nd CH from hook.  SC in next CH, repeat to end. Turn.
SC in 2nd CH from hook. SC in next CH, repeat once. Turn
DC2tog. Cut yarn, and pull through loop.


Add tassels to the top for quick and easy ears!