Try One of These 9 Popular Free Earflap Hats!

 When life gives you cold, keep your ears warm with one of these popular free knitting patterns for earflap hats

While I live in Oklahoma now, I spent most of my life in Ohio. And one thing Ohio is famous (some would say infamous) for is its bitterly cold winters.

When I was a child, I loved playing in the snow. I didn’t, however, love the way my toes, fingers, and ears grew numb with cold.

As I got older, my enjoyment of snow all but disappeared. And my tolerance for cold did the same. I hated going outside for any length of time during the winter because I couldn’t stand the feeling of wind on my face or the melting snow on my extremities!

I suspect my experiences with Ohio winters has led to my undying love for hats! Somehow, when I wear a hat, I feel instantly warmer. It’s like a warm cup of cocoa for my head.

Earflap hats, in particular, are useful in several ways.

For one thing, of course, they keep your ears nice and warm when the weather is especially chilly.

For another, they help keep your hat on your head, especially when the hat in question has ties situated at the ends of the earflaps.

And, finally, they’re just plain cute!

Knitting patterns for earflap hats are the third-most popular type of hat pattern listed on Ravelry, so I thought it was only fitting to take a look at the best of the best. These are the most popular free knitting patterns for earflap hats found online.

For more free hat knitting patterns, check out the Hats & Other Head Coverings category!

Popular Free Knitting Patterns for Earflap Hats 

1. – 4. Purl Soho Ear Flap Hats, including Garter Ear Flap, Top-Down Ear Flap, Merry Ear Flap, and Ear Cozy Hats

• What you’ll need to make them:
  • For Garter Ear Flap: 80 to 260 yards worsted weight yarn, US Size 7 and 8 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round), stitch markers (with one a unique color)
  • For Top-Down Ear Flap: 40 to 170 yards sport weight yarn. US Size 3 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round, stitch markers (with one unique color)
  • For Merry Ear Flap: 107 to 168 yards bulky weight yarn (in multiple colors if desired), US Size 11 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round), stitch markers (with one a unique color), pom-pom maker (optional)
  • For Ear Cozy: 66 to 166 yards worsted weight yarn (with 6 yards contrasting color if desired), US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round), stitch markers (with one a unique color), pom-pom maker (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: Want some simple, no-frills earflap hats with basic construction and in multiple sizes? You really can’t go wrong with any of these lovely patterns from Purl Soho. All feature adorable tassels, and most offer a choice between dangling tassels and tassels you tie under your chin. All are sweet and stylish!

5. Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap

• What you’ll need to make it: 100 to 120 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1 to 3 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: Once you get a look at it, you’ll agree that it was well-named! This originally Norwegian pattern was translated to English, to the benefit of English-readers who also wish to knit this lovely striped baby hat, complete with ties.

6. Norwegian Star Earflap Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 200 to 350 yards worsted weight yarn (in at least 2 colors); US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: I suppose it’s not surprising that Norwegians seem to have a special fondness for earflap hats! (I hear it can get pretty cold there.) This lovely hat features a gorgeous star design, and it’s available in both child and adult sizes.

7. Official Kitty62 Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 240 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round); stitch markers; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This is just what it sounds like: an earflap hat with cat-like ears. It’s so adorable that this might be my favorite in the collection. I really want to knit it someday!

8. Cunning Jayne Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 150 to 200 yards bulky weight yarn or worsted weight yarn held double; US Size 10 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: This stylish gold, orange, and red hat is named after the hat worn by the character Jayne Cobb in the “Firefly” episode titled “The Message.” Even if you couldn’t care less about “Firefly,” this is a beautiful hat!

9. My Mohawk Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 300 to 450 yards worsted weight yarn (held double) or bulky weight yarn; US Size 10 circular needles and/or DPNs (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: This is the other earflap hat I think I might like to knit someday. Again, it’s just what it sounds like: a hat with a Mohawk. Whether you dream of wearing an actual Mohawk, or you simply love the crazy fun style of it, this pattern is simply fabulous.

Try any of these charming knitting patterns for earflap hats for a hat that is as stylish as it is functional. You’ll send bitter winter cold running for cover!