Cozy and cute, this monster hat is not only perfect for Halloween, but also the rest of the season.

Skill Level: Easy

Size: 3-6 Months Old; Head Circumference: 16 inches, 40cm; Hat Height: 6.5 inches, 16.5cm

Gauge: Gauge is not critical to this project

Materials

Yarn: Needles (100% acrylic; 100 grams): Periwinkle Blue (MC, less than 1 skein), Jet Black (CC1, less than 1 skein), Snow White (CC2, less than 1 skein), Honey (CC3, less than 1 skein), Chocolate Brown (CC4, less than 1 skein)
Hooks: US size J/10 (6.0 mm), US size H/8 (5.0 mm), US size G/6 (4.0 mm) hooks
Notions: Small handful of toy stuffing, scissors, tapestry/wool needle

Pattern Notes

Chains at the start of a round count as the first HDC of that round.

Pattern

Rnd 1: Using 6.0 mm hook and MC, ch 2. Work 7 hdc into the first ch. Sl st into top of ch 2. (8)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. Work 2 hdc into every st around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (16)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. * Hdc in next st, 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from the * all around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (24)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. *Hdc into the next 2 sts. 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from the * around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (32)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. *Crochet 1 hdc into the next 3 sts. Then crochet 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from the * around. Sl st into the top of ch 2. (40)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. * Hdc into next 2 sts. 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from the * around. Sl st into the top of ch 2. (53)
Rnds 7-14: Ch 2. Hdc into every st all around. Sl st into the top of ch 2.
Rnd 15: Ch 2. Hdc only into next 35 sts. {Note: This is starting to create the back of the hat as well as the ear-flaps.}
Rnd 16: Turn, ch 2. Hdc into next 35 sts. Do NOT fasten off, as you will be crocheting the left ear-flap in the same place.

Ear Flaps – Left

Rnd 1: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 6 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 4 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 2 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 4: Ch 1. 2 hdc decreases.
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.

Ear Flaps – Right

Begin by attaching MC to the last st of Row 16, right across from where the left ear-flap is.
Rnd 1: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 6 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 4 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. 1 hdc decrease. 1 hdc into the next 2 sts. (1 HDC Decrease)
Rnd 4: Ch 1. 2 hdc decrease.
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.

Border

Using 6.0 mm hook and MC, begin with a slip knot, attach yarn to the center back of hat. Sc in each st around. Sl st into first sc.
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.

Smile

Row 1: Using 5.0 mm hook and CC1, ch 9. Hdc into third ch from hook. Hdc into every st across to last st. 2 hdc into the last st. (9)
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc into same st. Hdc in every st to last st. 2 Hdc into last st. (11)
Rows 3-5: Ch 2, hdc into same st. Hdc into every st to last st. 2 hdc into last st.
Using tapestry needle, sew smile onto hat, below the eyes.
FO, and weave in ends.

Cookie

Rnd 1: Using 4.0 mm hook and CC3, ch 2. Work 9 hdc into the first chain. Sl st into the top of ch 2. (10)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. 2 hdc into every st around. Sl st into the top of ch 2. (20)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. *Hdc in next st. 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st into the top of ch 2. (30)
Using tapestry needle and CC4, st some detailing onto the cookie.
Attach cookie to hat, partially over the smile.
FO, and weave in ends.

Eyes

Rnd 1: Using 5.0 mm hook and CC2, ch 2. Work 7 hdc into the first ch. Sl st into top of ch 2. (8)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. Work 2 hdc into every st around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (16)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc into the same st. *Hdc into the next 3 sts. 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from the * around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (20)
Rnds 4-6: Ch 2. Hdc into every st around. Sl st into top of ch 2.
Rnd 7: Ch 2. *Hdc decrease into the following st. Hdc into the next 3 sts. Repeat from the * around. Sl st into top of ch 2. FO, weave in loose ends.

Pupil (Make 2)

Using a 5.0 mm hook and CC1, Ch2, work 9 hdc into first ch. Sl st into top of ch 2. (10)
Once you’ve completed both eyes, take some toy stuffing, and fill both of the eyes with the stuffing.
Using tapestry needle and CC2, st some detailing onto both pupils in the upper left-hand corner. Then, sew the pupils onto the eyes, and the eyes onto the hat.
FO, and weave in ends.

Braided Tassels

Using MC, CC1 and CC2, cut 12 strands of yarn (4 of each color), each 30 inches long. Then, create a simple knot into the bottom of the left ear-flap. Make a loose braid as short or long as you like, tie a knot at the end, and cut off any excess yarn.
Repeat for the right ear-flap.