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Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern

Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern
3.9★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern

This pattern creates a cosy leopard earflap hat with decorative spots, ears, and a crocheted nose suitable for children and adults. The hat is worked from the crown down in rounds, with triangular earflaps worked in rows and finished with facings and an edging. You will make separate small crocheted spots and a stuffed nose to add personality and texture.

Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Includes full round-by-round instructions for the main piece, earflaps, facings, ears, nose and spots, plus materials, sizes and tension notes. Two size options are provided with bracketed stitch counts for child and adult.

Why You'll Love This Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns a simple hat into a playful accessory with so much character. I enjoy the sculptural shaping of the crown and earflaps and the way small crocheted spots transform the finished hat. The pattern gives you two sizes so you can make one for a child or an adult, and I love that you can customise colours and spot placement to make each hat unique. Working the earflap facings and joining the edging feels satisfying and gives a neat professional finish that I always admire.

Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern step 1 - construction progress Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love adapting this pattern by changing the colours—swap the leopard tones for greys or pastels to create a different mood.

You can make the hat smaller or larger by changing yarn weight and hook size; try bulky yarn and a larger hook for a chunky winter version.

If you want a sleeker look, omit the earflap facings and add a fleece lining instead for warmth with less bulk.

Try embroidering the spots instead of crocheting them for a flatter, more graphic finish that is quicker to apply.

I often use felt for eyes instead of buttons for a softer result that's safer for small children.

Add pompom ties or braided cords to the earflaps for a playful finish—use the thin card to make neat pompoms.

Make a matching scarf or mittens using the same yarns to create a coordinated set for gifting.

Experiment with positioning and size of spots to create a unique pattern—cluster them on one side or scatter them evenly.

You can add wire inside the ears for a posable look, but use caution and cover the wire ends securely before gifting.

I sometimes add a small loop at the top to hang the hat as festive decor or to store it neatly between uses.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the slip stitch to join at the end of each round can alter your stitch counts and ruin the crown shaping; always sl st to the stated stitch to keep rounds even. ✗ Using the wrong hook size will affect your tension and hat size; check the tension swatch and change hook sizes to match 13 sts and 14 rows = 4in over double crochet. ✗ Not counting increases in the crown rounds leads to incorrect stitch totals later in the pattern; count after each increase round to confirm you have the correct number of stitches. ✗ Failing to fasten off and leave a long tail when instructed makes sewing on ears and spots difficult; always leave a long yarn tail as directed for neat finishing.

Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern

Make a fun, warm leopard-print earflap hat worked in chunky and DK yarns. This pattern includes crown shaping, triangular earflaps, facings, ears, a crocheted nose and multi-size spots so you can customise the look. Follow clear round-by-round instructions and charts to create a cosy, playful hat for child or adult sizes.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Leopard Earflap Hat Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    King Cole Merino Blend Chunky, 100% superwash wool (74yd/67m per 50g ball) - 3[4] x 50g balls in 928 Old Gold (A)
  • 02
    King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% superwash wool (123yd/112m per 50g ball) - 1[1] x 50g ball in 048 Black (B)
  • 03
    King Cole Baby Alpaca DK, 100% pure baby alpaca (110yd/100m per 50g ball) - 1[1] x 50g ball in 500 Camel (C)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3mm crochet hook
  • 02
    5mm crochet hook
  • 03
    6mm crochet hook
  • 04
    2 x brown 3/4[7/8]in (2[2.25]cm) diameter buttons
  • 05
    2 x black 1/2[5/8]in (1.25[1.5]cm) diameter buttons
  • 06
    Darning needle
  • 07
    Sewing needle
  • 08
    Black sewing thread
  • 09
    Small amount of toy stuffing
  • 10
    Thin card to make pompoms
  • 11
    Scissors
  • 12
    Stitch markers (optional)

Progress Tracker

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— Materials and Notes :

Info :

Materials: King Cole Merino Blend Chunky (A) 3[4] x 50g balls 928 Old Gold; King Cole Merino Blend DK (B) 1[1] x 50g ball 048 Black; King Cole Baby Alpaca DK (C) 1[1] x 50g ball 500 Camel. Hooks: 3mm, 5mm and 6mm. Buttons: 2 brown 3/4[7/8]in and 2 black 1/2[5/8]in. Darning needle, sewing needle, black sewing thread, small toy stuffing and thin card for pompoms.

Info :

Sizes: To fit child up to 20in (51cm) head circumference [adult up to 22in (56cm)]. Tension: 13 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over double crochet on 6mm hook. Adjust hook if necessary to obtain correct tension.

Info :

Method: The main part of the hat is crocheted in rounds, starting from the top and increasing the stitches to shape the crown. The earflaps are crocheted in rows and decreased to form the triangular shape. The leopard's ears are worked in rounds. They are lightly stuffed and attached to the hat along with a crocheted nose and leopard spots. Buttons are stitched on for eyes.

— Main piece :

Setup :

Starting at the top of the hat, with 6mm hook and A, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Round 1 :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts)

Round 2 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts)

Round 3 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (18 sts)

Round 4 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts)

Round 5 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (30 sts)

Round 6 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 4 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (36 sts)

Round 7 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 5 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (42 sts)

Round 8 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 6 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (48 sts)

Round 9 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 7 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (54 sts)

Round 10 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 8 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (60 sts)

Round 11 (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 9 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (66 sts)

Next (Both sizes) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st into first dc. Rep last round 16[18] times more.

— Earflaps and edging :

Info :

Main piece Earflaps and edging Child size: follow chart for earflap placement and edging (see diagram). The first earflap starts at the centre back of the hat as indicated in the main piece chart.

First earflap - Setup :

Next: Starting at the centre back, 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in next 5[6] dc. The following is worked in rows.

Adult size only Row 1 (RS) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Adult size only Row 2 (WS) (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn, 1 ch (does not count as a st).

Both sizes Next :

Work 1 dc in next 13 dc, turn.

Both sizes Next (dec) :

*1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 9 dc, dc2dec, turn (11 sts)

Both sizes Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 7 dc, dc2dec, turn (9 sts)

Both sizes Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 5 dc, dc2dec, turn (7 sts)

Both sizes Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 3 dc, dc2dec, turn (5 sts)

Both sizes Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 1 dc, dc2dec, turn (3 sts)

Both sizes Finish :

Fasten off.

Second earflap - Setup :

With right side facing, rejoin A to the front of the hat. Work 1 dc in each of the 24 dc across the front of the hat. The following is worked in rows.

Adult size only Row 1 (RS) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Adult size only Row 2 (WS) (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn, 1 ch (does not count as a st).

Both sizes Next :

Work 1 dc in next 13 dc, turn.

Both sizes :

Work from * to * of first earflap. Fasten off.

— Earflap facings (MAKE 2) :

Note :

Omit if you plan to add a crocheted lining.

Both sizes Setup :

Using 6mm hook and A, make 14[16] ch.

Row 1 (RS) :

Work 1 dc in second ch from hook, 1 dc into next 12[14] ch, turn (13[15] sts)

Adult size only Row 2 (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn (13 sts)

Row 3 :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next :

Work from * to * of the first earflap in the main piece pattern. Fasten off.

Edging :

Using 5mm hook and A, with right side of work facing and starting at row 1 of the earflap facing, work 1 dc into each stitch down the edge of the next 10[12] rows, work dc2inc, 1 dc, dc2inc in the next 3 dc along the lower edge of the earflap facing, work 1 dc into each stitch at the edge of the next 10[12] rows up the other side of the earflap facing (25[29] sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end to sew and join. Work edging into earflap of main hat at same time to join.

— Ears (MAKE 2) :

Both sizes Round 1 :

Starting at the top of the ear, with 6mm hook and A, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts)

Round 2 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (10 sts)

Round 3 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (15 sts)

Round 4 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (20 sts)

Adult size only Next (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 4 dc) 4 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts)

Both sizes Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st into first dc. Rep last round 4[6] more times. Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end.

— Nose :

Both sizes Setup :

With 3mm hook and B, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts)

Child size Next round :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st to first dc

Child size Next round (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts)

Child size Next round (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 12 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts)

Adult size only Next (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts)

Adult size Next round :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st to first dc

Adult size Next round :

Rep last round

Adult size Next round (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 12 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts)

Adult size Next round :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 8 times, sl st into first dc (32 sts)

Both sizes Finish :

Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end for sewing.

— Spots :

Tiny (make 10[10]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts). Join in yarn B. Round 2 (inc): With B, make 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 5 times (10 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn.

Small (make 10[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Row 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, turn (6 sts). Row 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 3 times, join and continue in yarn B, (dc2inc) 3 times, turn (12 sts). Row 3 (inc): With B, 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times (18 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length.

Medium (make 6[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts). Round 2 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc) 5 times (10 sts). Round 3 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc, 1 dc) twice, join and continue in yarn B, (dc2inc, 1 dc) 3 times, sl st into first dc (15 sts). Round 4 (inc): With B, 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 4 times, sl st into first dc. Fasten off leaving long length of B at the end.

Large (make 0[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch, work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts). Round 2 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts). Join in yarn B. Round 3 (inc): With B, 1 ch, (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times, turn (18 sts). Next: With B, miss first dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc, (dc2inc, 2 dc) 3 times, sl st to next dc. Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the earflap facings to the earflaps, matching the edges and joining the edging into the main hat at the same time for a neat finish.
  • Stuff the ears lightly and sew them to the top of the hat where indicated by the ear placement on the main piece chart, securing with a long yarn tail and whipstitch.
  • Sew the crocheted nose to the front centre of the hat, positioning it between the eye buttons and stitching through the base with a darning needle and long yarn tail.
  • Arrange and sew on the spots with yarn tails, tacking them down securely by sewing through the spot base and weaving in ends on the inside for a tidy finish.
  • Attach the buttons for eyes through the front fabric and secure with black sewing thread on the inside, tying off and hiding knots between the layers.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work a tension swatch before starting: 13 dc = 4in (10cm) over double crochet on 6mm to achieve the correct size.
  • 💡Follow bracketed stitch counts carefully: instructions show child[adult] counts throughout; pick the correct number for the size you are making.
  • 💡Leave long yarn tails when fastening off pieces that need sewing, such as ears, nose and spots, to make assembly easier and stronger.
  • 💡When working earflap facings and edging, join the edging to the hat as you work to achieve a neat permanent join without bulky seams.

This playful leopard hat is designed to bring a smile and keep heads cosy all winter. Make one in bold colours for a statement piece or softer tones for subtle charm. The pattern includes clear instructions for two sizes and all the decorative elements you need to finish the look. 🐆🧶

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FAQs

What size will the finished hat be?

To fit: child up to 20in (51cm) head circumference and adult up to 22in (56cm) head circumference when worked to the stated tension.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can substitute yarns but this will change the finished size; choose an appropriate hook and check your tension to achieve the desired measurements.

Do I need to know special stitches to make this hat?

No special stitches are required beyond double crochet increases and decreases, chains, slip stitches and working in rows and rounds; basic experience with these is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this hat in 5-7 hours depending on experience and whether you add extra decorative spots or lining.