Introducing the perfect worsted weight bear ears hat knitting pattern. This free knitting pattern comes in sizes baby, toddler, children, women and men. You’ll be making hats for everyone you know!
If you like this pattern, you will love our chunky bear ears hat!
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Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
Supplies:
Yarn – Any worsted #4 weight.
The yarn used in the photos is Loops & Threads Impeccable Tweed (Brown and Walnut).
Purchase online: (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels)
Other acrylic options to consider – Red Heart Super Saver, Bernat Super Value.
Wool blend option to consider – Lion Brand Wool Ease (#4 weight).
Needles – Please check your gauge before starting as you may need to go up or down a needle size to get the fit just right. Size US 6 /4mm 16” long circular needles for the brim. Size US 7/4.5mm, 16” long circular needles for the body; US 7/4.5mm double pointed needles for the decrease.
Darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape and scissors.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 16 stitches and 23 rows in stocking stitch.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
0-3 Months, 3-12 Months, 1-2 Years (toddler), 3-12 Years (child), Teen/Women, Men
Recommended head circumference for each size:
0-3 Months – 13-15” 3-12 Years – 19-21”
3-12 Months – 15-18” Teen/Women – 21-22″
1-2 Years – 18-19” Men – 23-24”
Directions:
0 – 3 Months:
Cast on 48 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 6 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 4.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 12” around (unstretched) and 5.75” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
3-12 Months:
Cast on 56 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 7 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 13” around (unstretched) and 6.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
1-2 Years (toddler):
Cast on 64 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 14” around (unstretched) and 7” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
3-12 Years (child):
Cast on 72 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 5.5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 16” around (unstretched) and 7.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Teen/Women:
Cast on 80 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 9 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 6.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 18” around (unstretched) and 8.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Men:
Cast on 88 stitches on your smaller circular needles. Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 10 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
K all until your work measures 7” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K9, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end.
Your hat should measure approximately 20” around (unstretched) and 9.5” total length.
Move on to the ears (directions below).
Making The Ears
Use the same size needles you used for the main section of the hat (not the brim). Cast on 18 stitches. Leave at least a 6 inch tail to attach the ear onto the hat.
Row 1-5: K all (18 sts). Turn.
Row 6 – Sl st, K2tog, K5, K2tog, K5, K2tog, Sl st. (15 stitches)
Row 7 – K2tog, K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2, K2tog. (11 stitches)
Row 8 – K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog (7 stitches)
Row 9 – K2tog, K3, K2tog (5 stitches)
Row 10 – K2tog, K1, K2tog (3 stitches)
Row 11 – K2tog, K1 (2 stitches)
Row 12 – Ktog (1 stitch)
Cut tail, leaving 6 inches to attach ear onto hat. Pull the tail through the remaining stitch. Make two ears.
Using a darning needle, weave the 1st tail (attached at the corner) along the bottom edge of the ear, passing the 2nd tail and continuing to the other corner. Pull the tail to shape the ear into a half circle.
Attach the ear to the edge of the hat. Weave the tail in and out all along the base of the ear and hat to secure it properly. Make sure to tack the corners of the ear to keep it in place and give it a nice shape.
Repeat for the second ear, making sure they are placed evenly on the hat.
Attach a button or leather tag (optional).
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
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