Lavender Mint Herringbone Earflap Hat Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
The Lavender Mint Herringbone Earflap Hat is a cozy, beginner-friendly knit that looks far more intricate than it is. Soft lavender and cool mint bands alternate up the body, creating a gentle wavy herringbone effect that feels modern and a little Art Deco. Worked in a fluffy mohair-silk blend held double, it's light as air yet warm, with a snug ribbed brim and two little earflaps to keep ears toasty. If you can knit, purl, and knit two stitches together, you can make this hat.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Lace weight mohair silk blend (about 70% mohair, 30% silk), held double throughout. Color A (lavender): 220 yards (200 m). Color B (mint): 220 yards (200 m).
- Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 16" (40 cm) long, plus a set of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size for the crown decreases.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
- Finished size: Fits an average woman's head, 21–23" (53–58 cm) circumference. Finished hat measures 20" (51 cm) around, unstretched, and 8.5" (21.5 cm) tall from brim to crown. Earflaps measure about 2.5" (6.5 cm) wide by 3" (7.5 cm) long.
Abbreviations
- CO: Cast on — make the starting loops on your needle.
- k: Knit stitch.
- p: Purl stitch.
- k2tog: Knit two stitches together — a right-leaning decrease.
- ssk: Slip, slip, knit — slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loops; a left-leaning decrease.
- Sl1: Slip one stitch purlwise without working it.
- RS / WS: Right side / wrong side (the outside / inside of the fabric).
- sts: Stitches.
- Rnd / R: Round (worked in the round) / Row (worked flat).
Gauge
16 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with yarn held double, after blocking. Knit a small swatch, block it, and measure a 4" section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Hold two strands of yarn together at all times — one strand from the outside of the ball and one from the inside works well, or wind each color into a cake.
- When you change colors, simply drop the old color and pick up the new one; no need to cut yarn, and the carried strand stays hidden inside the hat.
- Check your stitch count after every decrease round — the numbers drop quickly and an early miscount is easy to fix.
- Mohair silk is grippy and can felt if handled roughly; keep your tension relaxed and avoid over-frogging.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hat Body (worked in the round, yarn held double throughout)
With Color A, CO 80 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Rnds 1–6: [k1, p1] ribbing (80 sts).
Rnds 7–12: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color B.
Rnds 13–18: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color A.
Rnds 19–24: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color B.
Rnds 25–30: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color A.
Rnds 31–36: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color B.
Rnds 37–42: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color A.
Rnds 43–48: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color B.
Rnds 49–54: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color A.
Rnds 55–60: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color B.
Rnds 61–66: Knit (80 sts). Change to Color A.
Rnds 67–72: Knit (80 sts). This is 72 rounds total, about 7.5" (19 cm) from the cast-on.
Crown Decreases (continue in Color A)
Rnd 73: [k8, k2tog] to end (72 sts).
Rnd 74: Knit (72 sts).
Rnd 75: [k7, k2tog] to end (64 sts).
Rnd 76: Knit (64 sts).
Rnd 77: [k6, k2tog] to end (56 sts).
Rnd 78: Knit (56 sts).
Rnd 79: [k5, k2tog] to end (48 sts).
Rnd 80: Knit (48 sts).
Rnd 81: [k4, k2tog] to end (40 sts).
Rnd 82: Knit (40 sts).
Rnd 83: [k3, k2tog] to end (32 sts).
Rnd 84: Knit (32 sts).
Rnd 85: [k2, k2tog] to end (24 sts).
Rnd 86: Knit (24 sts).
Rnd 87: [k1, k2tog] to end (16 sts).
Rnd 88: [k2tog] to end (8 sts).
Break yarn, leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in ends.
Earflaps (make 2, worked flat in stockinette with garter edges)
With Color A, CO 12 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, purl to end (12 sts).
Row 2 (RS): Sl1, knit to end (12 sts).
Row 3: Sl1, purl to end (12 sts).
Row 4: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (10 sts).
Row 5: Sl1, purl to end (10 sts).
Row 6: Sl1, knit to end (10 sts).
Row 7: Sl1, purl to end (10 sts).
Row 8: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (8 sts).
Row 9: Sl1, purl to end (8 sts).
Row 10: Sl1, knit to end (8 sts).
Row 11: Sl1, purl to end (8 sts).
Row 12: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (6 sts).
Row 13: Sl1, purl to end (6 sts).
Row 14: Sl1, knit to end (6 sts).
Row 15: Sl1, purl to end (6 sts).
Row 16: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (4 sts).
Row 17: Sl1, purl to end (4 sts).
Row 18: Sl1, knit to end (4 sts).
Row 19: Sl1, purl to end (4 sts).
Row 20: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (2 sts).
Row 21: Sl1, purl to end (2 sts).
Row 22: Sl1, knit to end (2 sts).
Row 23: Sl1, purl to end (2 sts).
Row 24: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2 (0 sts).
Cut yarn, pull through the last stitch, and weave in ends. Repeat for the second earflap.
Assembly and Finishing
Block the hat and both earflaps to the measurements above and let them dry fully. Using a tapestry needle and matching lavender yarn, sew the earflaps to the sides of the hat, centered on the sides roughly 4" (10 cm) from the front and back, with the top of each earflap aligned with the bottom edge of the ribbing. Weave in all remaining ends. If you like, add braided ties or small tassels to the bottom of each earflap.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make it slouchier: Add one or two extra 6-round color bands before starting the crown decreases for a taller, relaxed fit.
- Try a pom-pom: A fluffy lavender or mint pom-pom on top hides the gathered crown and adds a playful finish.
- Swap the palette: Any two contrasting colors work beautifully — try dusty rose and cream, or charcoal and pale blue, keeping the same 6-round band rhythm.
