Jim Thorpe's Hat

Earflap hats have always been my favorite this time of year, so when I found a pattern on Rivalry for an earflap hat styled rather like the helmet worn by Jim Thorpe, I knew I had to make at least one for myself.

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Jim Thorpe in his hat.

I had one skein of oatmeal colored Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn already on hand with this project in mind, and I was stuck at home nursing yet another cold. This really was the perfect time for me to make my hat, so out came my knitting needles.

A small ball of the same type of yarn left from some other project in a fun green color called lemongrass turned out to be perfect for the row of half-double crochet edging on my new hat.

I did modify the original pattern just a little by adding a couple of additional rows of garter stitch around the brim because I like the look and feel of more rows of garter stitch. Then I added a few more rows to the length of the earflaps because when it's really cold outside, I like that extra warmth when the ear flaps almost wrap together when the hat is tied tightly under my chin. Here, I try the hat on for size, just before finishing it by adding the braided ties.

Here's how I did it.

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The Jim Thorpe earflap hat pattern is available for free to registered members of Rivalry - a knit and crochet community. Go here - www.ravelry.com/invitations - to request a membership invitation if you would like this pattern so that you too can make this earflap hat.