Whispering Pine Earflap Hat Free Pattern – Knitted Baby Winter Hat

Wrap your little one in the cozy charm of a forest with this textured knitted earflap hat, featuring a delicate cable-and-rib pattern and playful pom-poms. This design keeps tiny ears toasty while adding a touch of woodland whimsy to any winter outfit. The deep forest green yarn with contrasting cream pom-poms creates a rich, dimensional surface that looks intricate but is surprisingly achievable for confident beginners ready to try their first cables.

This free pattern includes three sizes—Newborn (0-3 months), Baby (3-6 months), and Toddler (6-12 months)—so you can knit one for every stage of your little one's first winter. The earflaps with long ties ensure the hat stays securely in place, while the soft worsted weight yarn feels gentle against delicate skin.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (e.g., Lion Brand Wool-Ease) in Forest Green (MC) and Cream (CC). You'll need approximately 150g of the main color and 50g of the contrast color.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles (or size needed to achieve gauge).
• Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
• For Pom-Poms: Pom-pom maker (or cardboard template) sized for 2-inch pom-poms.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch first—this ensures your finished hat will match the intended measurements.

Size Chart

Abbreviations

Familiarize yourself with these abbreviations before starting:

• CO – cast on
• K – knit
• P – purl
• K2tog – knit two together (decrease)
• P2tog – purl two together (decrease)
• C4F – cable 4 front (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle)
• C4B – cable 4 back (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle)
• PM – place marker
• SM – slip marker
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Body

Step 1: Cast On and Join
With your main color (MC), CO 84 (90, 96) stitches. Join in the round, being very careful not to twist your stitches. Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Step 2: Ribbing
Work K2, P2 ribbing for 1.5 inches. This creates a snug, stretchy band that will keep the hat securely on your baby's head.

Step 3: Cable Pattern
Now you'll begin the beautiful textured cable pattern. Work the following four rounds, then repeat them until the hat measures 4.5 (5, 5.5) inches from the cast-on edge, always ending with round 4:

Round 1: *K4, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end of round.

Round 2: *C4F, P2, K2, P2, C4B, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end of round.

Round 3: *K4, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end of round.

Round 4: *K4, P2, C4F, P2, K4, P2, C4B, P2* repeat to end of round.

Tip for beginners: The cables create a lovely braided effect. The C4F and C4B alternate positions, which creates the dimensional texture you see in the finished hat. Take your time with the cable needle—it gets easier with each repeat!

Crown Decreases

Once your hat body reaches the desired length, it's time to shape the crown. Follow these decrease rounds carefully. The stitch counts shown are for Newborn (Baby, Toddler) sizes.

Round 1: *K2tog, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, K2, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (76, 81, 86 stitches)

Round 2: *K3, P2, K2, P2, K3, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 3: *K2tog, K1, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (68, 72, 76 stitches)

Round 4: *K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 5: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (60, 64, 68 stitches)

Round 6: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 7: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (52, 56, 60 stitches)

Round 8: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 9: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (44, 48, 52 stitches)

Round 10: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 11: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (36, 40, 44 stitches)

Round 12: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 13: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (28, 32, 36 stitches)

Round 14: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 15: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (20, 24, 28 stitches)

Round 16: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 17: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (12, 16, 20 stitches)

Round 18: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end.

Round 19: *K2tog, P2, K2, P2, K2tog, P2, K2, P2* repeat to end. (4, 8, 12 stitches)

Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail (about 10 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining stitches on your needles. Pull tight to close the crown, and secure with a knot. Weave in the end on the inside of the hat.

Earflaps

Now we'll create the cozy earflaps that make this hat so practical for winter wear.

Step 1: Pick Up Stitches
With the right side of the hat facing you, pick up and knit 18 (20, 22) stitches along the bottom edge of the hat, centered over one ear area (about 2 inches from the front seam). You'll be working back and forth in rows now, not in the round.

Step 2: Shape the Earflap
Row 1 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 2 (RS): K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. (16, 18, 20 stitches)

Repeat rows 1-2 until 6 (6, 8) stitches remain. This creates a tapered shape that fits nicely over your baby's ear.

Step 3: Create the Tie
Once you have 6 (6, 8) stitches remaining, work even in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) for 2 inches. This creates a long tie that you'll use to secure the hat under your baby's chin. Bind off all stitches.

Step 4: Second Earflap
Repeat the same process for the second earflap on the opposite side of the hat, making sure it's centered over the other ear area.

Finishing Touches

Step 1: Make the Pom-Poms
Using your contrast color (CC) cream yarn, make two pom-poms about 2 inches in diameter. You can use a pom-pom maker or a simple cardboard template. The fluffier, the better!

Step 2: Attach the Pom-Poms
Attach one pom-pom to the top of the hat at the crown. Attach the other pom-pom to the end of each earflap tie. Use the yarn tails from the pom-poms to securely tie them in place, then weave in all loose ends throughout the hat.

Step 3: Final Weave-In
Take a moment to weave in any remaining ends with your tapestry needle. Turn the hat inside out and gently steam block if desired (always check your yarn label for care instructions).

Care Instructions

To keep your handmade hat looking beautiful, hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. Avoid wringing or twisting, which can felt the yarn.

Final Thoughts

This Whispering Pine Earflap Hat is more than just a winter accessory—it's a handmade treasure that will keep your little one warm and stylish all season long. The cable pattern may look complex, but once you get into the rhythm of the four-round repeat, you'll find it meditative and rewarding. And those adorable pom-poms? They're the perfect finishing touch that brings the whole design together.

Whether you're knitting this for your own baby, a grandchild, or as a thoughtful gift for a baby shower, this hat is sure to become a beloved keepsake. Happy knitting!