Making Kitty Ears: Add Them to Any Hat

Kitty ears make any hat look cuter! In this video, Brenda shows us how to make a pair of kitty ears to add to a crocheted hat. The hat she is using is a free download on this website. It is called the Elemental Beanie and it is part of the 14-Day Learn to Crochet series.

Brenda follows a chart that is available to download so that you can follow along. She starts by working on the Outer Ear (the gray part of the ear), beginning with an adjustable loop and 6 single crochet (SC) stitches in the loop.

On the second round she works 2 SC in the first stitch, then 1 SC in the next st, then 2 SC in the following stitch. Then she repeats the same sequence to finish up round 2. Brenda uses two stitch markers to keep track of the beginning of each repeat.

On the third round, she makes 2 stitches in the first stitch, then works even for 3 stitches, then makes 2 stitches in the next stitch, and repeats the sequence to finish up that round.

Brenda explains that we need to continue on in this stitch pattern, bookending each repeat with an increase (one increase at the beginning of each repeat, and one increase at the end of each repeat). She works increases through Round 5, but notes that you could continue in the increase pattern for a larger ear. After completing Round 5, Brenda works even for two rounds (placing one stitch in each stitch around) and then folds the ear flat and seams the bottom edge.

Next, Brenda makes the Inner Ear, beginning with a slip knot. She chains 2 stitches, then works 3 SC into the second chain from hook. She then makes one chain (for a turning chain) and turns her work.

On the second row, she makes 2 SC in the first stitch, then 1 SC in the next stitch, and 2 SC in the last stitch. She makes 1 turning chain and turns her work.

On the third row, she makes 2 SC in the first stitch, then 1 SC into each of the next 3 stitches, and 2 SC in the last stitch. Continuing with the same side facing, Brenda rotates the Inner Ear in order to work along the row ends. She points out the red arrow on the crochet chart that indicates where to continue stitching. Brenda works across the row ends on the first side edge, then places 3 SC into the tip of the ear and continues along the opposite side edge. The purpose of this is to create a tidy edge. She then stitches the Inner Ear to the Outer Ear using a whip-stitch.

Lastly, Brenda shows us how to pin the ears to the top of the hat in a C shape and how to stitch them in place.

Making kitty ears is super fun, and it doesn’t take much extra time to add these little cuties to your crocheted hats!