Merry is the Merrick hat’s fun, crazy sibling. I’ve modified it to give it earflaps with I-cord strings and some big, fluffy pompoms. You can choose from 3 sizes and work either from the charts OR the written instructions according to your preference.

The hat starts off at the bottoms of the I-cords, which then grow into the earflaps. Then, the earflaps are incorporated into the cast-on edge of the hat. You can use either the Backwards Loop Cast On or the Cable Cast On to make the stitches between the earflaps. I used the Backwards Loop method in my samples.

The earflaps are slightly offset in the Child and Adult XL sizes, with a little more space for the face at the front of the hat. However, the Adult size (where they’re not offset) looks just as good. For a more slouchy fit, go up a size.

Yarn requirements:
Heavy Worsted / Aran weight, shown in Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran.
125 g (2.5 balls) main colour (light grey)
PLUS 60 g to make 3 pompoms (yellow)

This pattern adapts easily to using worsted yarn instead of aran. Just use the same size needles or size 8 US’s instead. The stretchy springiness of the allover cables will make up for slight differences in gauge.

Needles:
Size 7 US (4.5 mm) circular needles for knitting in the round.
A 16″ will work for most of the hat, but you’ll need 2 circs (Or Magic Loop or dpn’s if your prefer) for the crown shaping.

Notions:
Cable needle (if using), stitch markers, yarn darn and scissors, 2 pompom making tools: 8.5 cm and 6.5 cm sizes

For a tutorial on cabling without a cable needle, go to http://aknitica.com/2014/10/21/cable-without-a-cable-needle/