Free Crocheted Sock Monkey Hat Pattern

I've been making sock monkey hats like crazy this week. I'm donating two to my friend's daughter's school fundraising auction, and I'm making four for my son's daycare teacher's kids. I've got the hats and mouths finished. Now, I just need 12 ears, 4 flowers, and 2 pompoms...and yet, instead of making them, I've decided to write out my pattern to share with you all. This is the pattern for the kids size hat - add or subtract stitches in the first row, and increase or decrease rows for different sizes. Like the hat but don't know how to crochet? No problem! You can buy one at my Etsy shop, The Sequin Turtle.

Here are six patterns to help you resize this hat if you need to.

Photo Courtesy of Cassandra Hamilton Photography

This hat is worked in rounds, except for the ear flaps which are worked in rows. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. This is the first time I've written up a pattern for one of my products.

Materials:
Lion Brand Jiffy Yarn (available here)
     Camel Spray - 1 skein
     White - 1/2 skein
     Accent Color of Your Choice - 1/2 skein
2 Buttons
I Crochet Hook

Hat:
With White
Round 1: In magic circle, 13dc, join to first dc
Round 2: ch 2 (counts as stitch throughout), dc in same stitch, 2dc in every stitch (26 stitches), join to beginning ch
Round 3: ch 2, dc in same stitch, *dc in next stitch, 2dc in following stitch, repeat from * (39 stitches), join
Round 4: ch 2, dc in same stitch, *dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in following stitch, repeat from * (52 stitches), join
Round 5: ch 2, dc in each stitch (52 stitches), join and change colors
With Accent Color
Round 6: ch 2, dc in each stitch (52 stitches), join and change colors
With Camel Spray
Round 7-14: ch 2, dc in each stitch (52 stitches), join

Making First Ear Flap:
Round 15: ch 2, dc in next 7 stiches, turn (8 stitches)
Round 16: ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 4 stiches, dc2tog (this will include the beginning chain), turn (6 stitches)
Round 17: ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 2 stitches, dc2tog (this will include the beginning chain), turn (4 stitches)
Round 18: ch 2, dc2tog, dc2tog (this will include the beginning chain) (2 stitches)
Fasten off

Making Second Ear Flap:
With right side facing, count 24 stitches from the edge of the first ear flap. Join yarn and repeat directions for First Ear Flap, but do not fasten off

Continue Hat:
With Camel Spray
Round 19: ch 1, sc around the entire hat, working approximately 8 stitches into the sides of the ear flaps and 2sc into each of the two dc at the bottom of the ear flap (otherwise the ear flap will curl in too much). Fasten off.
With Accent Color
Round 20: Join to the back of the first ear flap, sc in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Mouth:
With Accent Color
Ch 19
Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch (18 stitches) Fasten off. (I usually just tie the tails together)
With White
With ride side facing, join yarn to far right side
Round 2: ch 2, dc in next 16 stitches, 3dc in last stitch, then working around on the chain side, 3dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 16 stitches, 2 dc in same stitch as beginning ch, join to beginning chain. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ears:
Make 2  in Camel Spray - this is worked in rounds without joining, you can use a stitch marker, but I usually just count
Round 1: In magic circle, 6sc, do not join
Round 2: 2sc in each stitch (12 stitches), do not join
Round 3: *2sc in first stitch, sc in next stitch, continue from * around (18 stitches)
Round 4: sc in each stitch (18 stitches)
Round 5: sc in each stitch (18 stitches) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Flower:
Use any flower pattern you like, but keep in mind that flatter flowers work better. I used the five petal traditional rose pattern from this book.

Pompom:
Use whatever pompom method you like best. I use one of these pompom makers.

Finishing Hat
Sew mouth onto front of hat, being sure to center it. I usually fold the hat in half so that the ears line up and pin the middle of the mouth onto the fold.

Sew ears centered above the ear flap - just sew one side of the ear so it sticks out from the head.

Sew two buttons on for eyes.

Sew flower or pompom onto desired location.

Braids
To make braids for the ear flaps, cut 6 30" pieces of each yarn color. For each ear flap, you need three of each color. Gather the 9 yarn pieces and fold them in half. Insert the center loop into the ear flap from the front. Pull the ends of the pieces through the loop and tighten. Separate the strands by color (or not - your choice) and braid them. Finish with a knot at the end.

Congratulations! You just made your very own crocheted sock monkey hat! Now, do a little dance, admire your handiwork and put it on the head of the nearest child (or on your own if you have a smallish head like I do). If you make this hat, I would love to see a picture!

Photo Courtesy of Cassandra Hamilton Photography