Gauge: 2" = 14 rows x 8 stitches in Garter Stitch
Materials:
Size 10 knitting needles
100 yards fuzzy worsted weight yarn
2 stitch markers
Yarn needle
Abbreviations:
CO = Cast On
K = Knit
STS = Stitches
PM = Place Marker
SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit
K2Tog = Knit 2 Together
Pattern:
CO 60 using long tail cast on method
Knit every row until piece measures 3.5"
K30, PM, K30
K1, SSK, K to 2sts before marker, SSK, SL marker, K2tog, K to 3sts before end, K2tog, K1
K across
repeat previous 2 rows 8X
Bind off leaving a long enough tail to sew the two sides together. Your piece should measure approximately 14" x 5 1/2"
Ears (make 2):
CO 20 using long tail cast on method
Row 1: K1, SSK, K14, K2tog, PM, K1 (18 STS)
Rows 2, 4, & 6: K across
Rows 3, 5 & 7: K1, SSK, K to 2 before the marker, K2tog, slip the marker, K1 (16 STS) (14 STS) (12 STS)
Row 8: K7, PM, K7
Row 9: K to 2 before the marker, SSK, slip the marker, K2tog, K to end (10 STS)
Row 10: K across
Repeat Rows 9 and 10 until there are only 4 STS left. For the next row, SSK, K2tog, turn K2tog
Bind off, leaving a long enough tail to sew the ear to the hat.
Finishing:
Fold your hat in half so that the shorter ends are together and sew along the bind off side.
Position and attach each ear.
Cut 6 pieces of yarn twice the length you would like the braids to be. Fold three of the pieces in half. Pull the loop at the half of these three strands through one corner of the hat, then pull the loose ends of these same three pieces through the loop and pull tight. Braid the three (now six) strands and tie a knot at the bottom. Repeat on the other corner with the remaining three lengths of yarn.
Weave in any loose ends.