Dr. Rockin's Patterns #3: Flap Hat of Awesomeness

Jenn's Flap Hat of Awesomeness
Like many of my patterns, this one's a cinch. The only slightly tricky part is picking up stitches, and that's a snap once you know how. You can find any number of good tutorials around the place. I like this one.


You'll Need:
1 x pair of 4mm straight needles
1 x 100g ball (or less) of any 8 ply
1 x knitter's needle
1 x stitch holder (optional)

~*Pattern*~
CO 120 sts.
Work 24 rows of single rib (*K1, P2*, repeat * to * to end).
Next Row: *K2tog, K5*, repeat * to * to end.
Next Row: P2tog, P to last 2 sts, P2 tog.
Work 20 rows stockinette (K to end, P to end), then reduce like so-
Next Row: *K2tog, K9* repeat * to * to end
Next Row: P to end
Next Row: *K2tog, K8* repeat * to * to end
Next Row: P to end
Continue reducing until 3 sts remain. Towards the end you can get a little loose with it- I always forget what I do, so I just start reducing by a little more, a little more, a little more and so on and eventually it comes to something of a point. ANYWAY. Draw yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

At this point, it's up to you whether you want to sew up the main seam first or leave it flat for adding on the flaps. I like to sew it up first, because it gives me a better idea of how the placement's going to work. Totally your choice, though.

To make the flaps: turn up the rib like a roll brim. Try it on (this is why I sew it up first) and find a comfortable spot for the rib to rest. On my hats (and my head), this is 12 sts from the cast on edge. Pick up 24 sts, 16 sts from seam. Remember, you're not knitting onto the cast on edge! You're going to have to do this twice, so if you want to pick up both sides before you start to knit them and hold one on a stitch holder while you knit the other, that might be an idea. What makes this bit tricky is picking up the right stitches so your rib looks continuous on the flaps. If you can't get it or can't be bothered to make it work, it won't ruin your hat- it just might not look quite as ~slick as a nice smooth rib would.

Knitting onto the rib, work 12 rows of single rib (K1, P1), and then reduce like so:
Next Row: K2tog, single rib across (keeping to the rib, whether you're starting on a K or P stitch), K2tog
Repeat until 4 sts remain. Work 8 rows single rib.
Next Row: K2tog, P2tog
Slip 2nd st over 1st, draw yarn through remaining loop and pull tight. Repeat for other flap.

You can add i-cords or tassels to your flaps, or leave them plain. If you made the flaps longer, you could finish one with a buttonhole and add a button to the other one; I haven't done that, because I think it looks silly. Whatever you choose to do, when the flaps are done, you have yourself a fancy hat.