The hat is knit from top down in one piece.   This is the basic pattern I used for my Top Down # hats, and it can be played with in endless ways!   Use up left over  yarn to do stripes or other patterns.  This is a quick and simple knit.

Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows per 4 inches in stocking stitch.

Needles: a set of double pointed and 16″ circular in size 4.5 mm (7 us).  Or what ever needles that will give you the right gauge.

Yarn:  I used Patons Classic Wool Merino.  Approx 1 skein is needed.

Size:   (average child) average adult

Note: I used the long tail cast on, but circular cast on may also be used.  

You are working the increases at the beginning and end of each double pointed needle (dpn).

Both sizes are worked the same until at the end of the increase rows.

 

Cast on 8 sts on a double pointed needle and join in a circle, 2 sts on each needle.  Be careful not to twist the work.

1. row: knit

Increase rows:

2. row: *Knit the st below the first st, then knit the 1. and 2. st, knit the st below the 2. st (after the 2. st. has been knit) *.  Repeat  till the end of round.  You should have 4 sts on each needle, 16 in all. 

3. row:  Knit as the second row.  There should be 6 sts on each needle, 24 sts in all.

4. row: knit as the second row.  There should be 8 sts on each needle, 32 sts in all.

5. row:  Knit with out increasing.

6. row:  Increase as in 2. row.

Repeat 5. and 6. rows until (20) 22 sts are on each needle, (80) 88 in all.

Change to the circular needle, make sure to place a marker at the beginning of the row.

Knit without any increasing for (25) 32 rows, aprox (6) 7 inches from cast on.

Next row:  Cast off  the first (3) 4 sts (half of back opening), knit next (28) 30 sts (ear-flap), cast of  next (18) 20 sts (front opening), knit next (28) 30 sts (other ear-flap), cast of the last (3) 4 sts (other half of back opening)

Break yarn

Now you work each ear-flap, begin the 1. row with knit side facing you.  Both ear-flaps are worked the same way.

1. row:  Join yarn, knit 1 st, slip next 2 sts as if to knit then knit them together (ssk).  Knit til 3 sts remain on left needle, knit next 2 sts together (k2tog), knit last st.

2. row:  Purl with out any decreasing

Repeat these 2 rows until you have 2 sts remaining, ending with a purl row.

i cord:  Knit the 2 sts, do not turn work, push those 2 sts back to the top of the left needle, pull yarn behind work and knit those 2 sts again.  Repeat until you have the length desired for the i cord.

Now work the other ear-flap and i cord the same way.

Weave in ends and your all done!