Earflap Avenue

Earflap Avenue Knit Hat by Yoko Johnston

What is Being Made

Earflap Avenue is a downloadable knitting pattern for a charming pixie-style hat featuring decorative earflaps. The design offers three customizable motif options—Tree, Cat, or Elephant—that can be incorporated into the earflap details. This intermediate-level knit project is available in three sizes: Baby, Child, and Adult, with finished brim circumferences of 37 cm (14.5"), 46 cm (18"), and 55.5 cm (22") respectively. The hat's height without the I-cord top and earflaps ranges from 20 cm (7.75") for the baby size to 23 cm (9") for the adult size.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The earflaps are knit first as separate pieces, then incorporated into the cast-on process to create a seamless integration with the main hat body. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), a standard technique for creating tubular garments without seams. The design features a pixie silhouette, which typically includes a tapered crown. An I-cord top finish adds a decorative and structured element to the crown of the hat. The pattern includes Right Twist (RT) stitches worked over 2 stitches, adding subtle texture and visual interest to the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout Earflap Avenue is Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. The gauge for this pattern is 14 stitches and 22 rows per 10 cm (4") in Stockinette stitch when blocked, which is typical for bulky-weight yarn. The inclusion of Right Twist stitches adds textural variation and helps define design elements, particularly in the earflap motifs (Tree, Cat, or Elephant). These twisted stitches create subtle diagonal lines that enhance the visual appeal of the chosen design.

Yarn and Materials

Earflap Avenue is designed for chunky-weight yarn, making it a quick and satisfying project to complete. The pattern requires two yarn colors: a Main Color (MC) and a Contrasting Color (CC). Yardage requirements vary by size—the baby size needs approximately 50 m (55 yd) of MC and 24 m (26 yd) of CC, while the adult size requires approximately 90 m (99 yd) of MC and 35 m (38 yd) of CC. The sample shown in the pattern was created using Cascade Yarns's 128 Superwash, a bulky-weight yarn composed of 100% Merino wool, which provides softness and washability ideal for hats worn close to the face.

Needles, Hooks, and Notions

This pattern calls for 6 mm (US 10) needles in both circular and double-pointed needle formats, allowing knitters to work the hat in the round and transition between needle types as the crown decreases. A 6 mm (US J) crochet hook is also required, likely for finishing techniques or securing the I-cord top. Additional notions include two double-pointed needles to use as stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, at least one marker to track the beginning of rounds, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and any necessary seaming, and standard knitting accessories. Needle size should be adjusted if necessary to obtain the correct gauge of 14 stitches per 10 cm in Stockinette stitch when the finished fabric is blocked.