Evil Eye Earflap Pet Hat: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Evil Eye Earflap Pet Hat is a cozy little bowl hat made for medium-sized dogs who don't mind a bit of style. It's crocheted in soft, plush chenille yarn, so it feels gentle against the head and ears while keeping things warm on chilly walks. The design pairs a simple single crochet dome with two sweet earflap tabs and a bold evil eye motif on top, worked in olive, ochre, and black. The alternating two-round stripes and the concentric eye give it a warm, tropical feel that looks just as good in photos as it does on a walk around the block.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Super bulky (6) chenille plush yarn, 100% polyester — 80 yd olive (A), 30 yd ochre (B), 10 yd black (C)
• Hook: 6.5 mm (US K-10.5)
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure
• Finished size: Circumference 16 inches (40.5 cm), height 5 inches (12.5 cm) excluding earflaps; earflaps 2 inches (5 cm) long

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn on the hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• sc2tog — single crochet 2 together: a decrease that joins two stitches into one.
• sc3tog — single crochet 3 together: a decrease that joins three stitches into one.
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• Rnd / Row — round (worked in a circle) / row (worked back and forth).

Gauge

8 sts and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in the round or flat, then measure the middle of the fabric without stretching it to check that you match this gauge.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille yarn sheds and can be tricky to frog, so count your stitches at the end of every round before moving on.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place in the spiral.
• Keep your tension relaxed; tight single crochet in chenille makes a stiff hat that won't sit comfortably on your dog.
• Measure your dog's head before starting. If the circumference is larger than 16 inches, go up one hook size rather than adding stitches.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Crown (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 8 sc into the ring (8 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (16 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x8 (24 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x8 (32 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x8 (40 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x8 (48 sts).

Rnds 7-8: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 9-10: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 11-12: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 13-14: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 15-16: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 17-18: sc in each st around (48 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 19-20: sc in each st around (48 sts). Fasten off.

Eye Motif (worked separately, then sewn on)

Rnd 1: With B, MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Change to C.

Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts).

Change to A.

Rnd 5: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the eye to the top center of the hat.

Earflaps (make 2, Color A)

Row 1: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (5 sts).

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (5 sts).

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (3 sts).

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (3 sts).

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc3tog (1 st). Fasten off.

Sew the earflaps to the sides of the hat at the bottom edge, 6 inches (15 cm) apart.

Edging

Rnd 1: With A, join yarn at the bottom edge of the hat. Sc evenly around the bottom edge of the hat and around each earflap, working 1 sc in each stitch along the hat and about 1 sc per row along the earflap edges, with 1 sc in each corner stitch. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the eye motif to the top center of the crown using the long tail, catching the back loops only so the stitches stay hidden. Sew each earflap to the lower side edge of the hat, 6 inches (15 cm) apart, checking that they sit evenly on both sides. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, splitting the chenille tail in two and weaving each half in opposite directions so it doesn't work loose. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping over a bowl or rounded form; let it dry completely before your dog wears it.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the ochre and olive bands for your dog's colors, or work the whole crown in one color and let the eye motif be the only accent.
• Add a small crocheted chain tie to each earflap if your dog needs extra security on windy days.
• For a smaller or larger pet, adjust the crown by stopping the increases at 40 or 56 sts, then work the straight rounds to the same height.