Lavender Eyelet Snowflake Earflap Hat – Free Knit Pattern
Lavender Eyelet Snowflake Earflap Hat – Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This sweet DK-weight earflap hat is made for anyone who loves a little fairy tale in their winter wardrobe. A soft lavender stockinette body wraps the head, while a mint eyelet-lace band opens into a delicate snowflake pattern across the crown. Two mint earflaps and twisted-cord ties finish the look with a playful, fairycore touch. It knits up quickly in the round and feels light, warm, and wonderfully soft against the skin.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: DK weight, 100% merino (approx. 120 yd / 50 g per skein). Lavender (MC): 150 yd. Mint (CC): 50 yd.
- Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle, 16" long, and a set of 4.0 mm (US 6) double-pointed needles — or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
- Finished size: Fits head circumference 21–23". Hat measures 20" circumference unstretched and 8.5" tall from cast-on to crown.
Abbreviations
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- p – purl
- k2tog – knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
- p2tog – purl two stitches together
- ssk – slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (a left-leaning decrease)
- yo – yarn over (makes one new stitch and an eyelet hole)
- pm – place marker
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- rem – remaining
- sts – stitches
- MC – main color (lavender)
- CC – contrasting color (mint)
- WS – wrong side
Gauge
22 sts and 30 rnds = 4" in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round (or a flat swatch and measure the knit side), then check that 22 stitches measure 4" across before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Each eyelet round repeats a block of 16 stitches exactly 7 times around the 112-stitch hat — count your repeats so the snowflake lines stay aligned.
- Keep your yarn overs loose and even; tight yarn overs make small, puckered eyelets instead of open snowflake holes.
- Switch to double-pointed needles when the crown gets too small for the circular needle, usually around Rnd 55.
- Work the earflaps in mint stockinette and block them flat before sewing so the triangles lie smooth against the hat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hat Body
Rnds 1–8: [k2, p2] rib (112 sts)
Rnds 9–12: k (112 sts)
Change to CC.
Rnds 13–14: k (112 sts)
Rnd 15: [k7, yo, k2tog, k7] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 16: k (112 sts)
Rnd 17: [k6, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k6] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 18: k (112 sts)
Rnd 19: [k5, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k2tog, k5] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 20: k (112 sts)
Rnd 21: [k4, yo, k2tog, k5, yo, k2tog, k4] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 22: k (112 sts)
Rnd 23: [k3, yo, k2tog, k7, yo, k2tog, k3] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 24: k (112 sts)
Rnd 25: [k2, yo, k2tog, k9, yo, k2tog, k2] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 26: k (112 sts)
Rnd 27: [k1, yo, k2tog, k11, yo, k2tog, k1] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 28: k (112 sts)
Rnd 29: [yo, k2tog, k13, yo, k2tog] rep to end (112 sts)
Rnd 30: k (112 sts)
Change to MC.
Rnds 31–40: k (112 sts)
Crown Shaping
Rnd 41: [k12, k2tog] rep to end (104 sts)
Rnd 42: k (104 sts)
Rnd 43: [k11, k2tog] rep to end (96 sts)
Rnd 44: k (96 sts)
Rnd 45: [k10, k2tog] rep to end (88 sts)
Rnd 46: k (88 sts)
Rnd 47: [k9, k2tog] rep to end (80 sts)
Rnd 48: k (80 sts)
Rnd 49: [k8, k2tog] rep to end (72 sts)
Rnd 50: k (72 sts)
Rnd 51: [k7, k2tog] rep to end (64 sts)
Rnd 52: k (64 sts)
Rnd 53: [k6, k2tog] rep to end (56 sts)
Rnd 54: k (56 sts)
Rnd 55: [k5, k2tog] rep to end (48 sts)
Rnd 56: k (48 sts)
Rnd 57: [k4, k2tog] rep to end (40 sts)
Rnd 58: k (40 sts)
Rnd 59: [k3, k2tog] rep to end (32 sts)
Rnd 60: k (32 sts)
Rnd 61: [k2, k2tog] rep to end (24 sts)
Rnd 62: k (24 sts)
Rnd 63: [k1, k2tog] rep to end (16 sts)
Rnd 64: k (16 sts)
Rnd 65: [k2tog] rep to end (8 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 stitches, pull tight, and fasten off on the inside.
Earflaps (make 2)
Worked flat in CC.
Row 1: k (16 sts)
Row 2: p (16 sts)
Row 3: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 (14 sts)
Row 4: p (14 sts)
Row 5: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1 (12 sts)
Row 6: p (12 sts)
Row 7: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 (10 sts)
Row 8: p (10 sts)
Row 9: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8 sts)
Row 10: p (8 sts)
Row 11: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 sts)
Row 12: p (6 sts)
Row 13: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4 sts)
Row 14: p (4 sts)
Row 15: ssk, k2tog (2 sts)
Row 16: p2tog (1 st)
Fasten off.
Ties (make 2)
With CC, cut 2 strands 60" long. Fold the strands in half and attach them to the bottom point of one earflap with a lark's head knot. Twist the strands tightly, fold the bundle in half, and let it twist back on itself into a cord. Knot the end to secure. Repeat for the second earflap.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold each earflap in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Sew the cast-on edge of each earflap to the wrong side of the hat, centered over 16 stitches, about 3" apart from the center front. Weave in all ends on the inside of the hat. Block lightly: mist the hat and earflaps, shape the crown and flatten the earflaps, and let dry away from direct heat.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the mint CC for white or silver for a classic snowflake look, or use a deeper purple for a tonal effect.
- Add a small pom-pom or tassel to the top of the crown for extra fairycore charm.
- For a slouchier fit, work 6 extra plain knit rounds in MC before beginning the crown shaping.
