Modifications to the Alpaca Earflap Hat--Be warned--this is my first time writing instructions out.
1. I reversed the design on one earflap so that the open part of the "claws" or whatever you call the design would both be toward the face.
2. I double knitted the earflaps. Based on previous experience, I knew the earflaps would stick out like Pippi Longstocking's hair in just plain stockinette, so I decided to try double knitting them. I had never double knit before. The process itself wasn't so hard, but when I threw in the reversal of the design and the whole thing gave me fits. It took two days to knit the two earflaps.
This is a chart of the right earflap in double knitting. I can't figure out how to number the rows beside the boxes. The bottom row is Row 1 and so on like usual. I increased the black on its knit side by knitting in the front and back of the stitch. I increased the gray on its knit side by casting one on using backwards loop. The right side is the black side.
KB=Knit Black
PB=Purl Black
KG=Knit Gray
PG=Purl Gray
| K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog |
| KG/PB | KG/PB | KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG | KG/PB |
| KB/PG | KG/PB | KG/PB | KB/PG | KG/PB | KB/PG |
| KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG | KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB |
| KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB |
| KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG |
| KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB | KB/PG | KB/PG | KB/PG |
| KG/PB | KB/PG | KB/PG | KG/PB | KB/PG | KG/PB |
| KB/PG | KB/PG | KG/PB | KG/PB | KG/PB | KB/PG |
This is the left earflap. The black side is the right side here, too. I hope this is right. The "claw" is facing the other way. Reversing this and double knitting is one of the hardest knitting things I've ever done.
| K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog | K2tog |
| PB/KG | PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB | PB/KG | PB/KG |
| PG/KB | PB/KG | PG/KB | PB/KG | PB/KG | PG/KB |
| PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG | PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB |
| PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG |
| PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB |
| PG/KB | PG/KB | PG/KB | PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG |
| PB/KG | PG/KB | PB/KG | PG/KB | PG/KB | PB/KG |
| PG/KB | PB/KG | PB/KG | PB/KG | PG/KB | PG/KB |
3. I changed the arrangement of the cast-on stitches. 18 stitches for the front was REALLY not enough. I ended up casting on 38 stitches for the front and 32 for the back.
4. I changed the top decreases and added an I-cord top. In black only:
Round 1: Knit even
Round 2: Knit even
Rounds 3 and every odd row thru 17: [K4 K2tog] repeat to end
Rounds 4 and every even row thru 18: Knit even
Rounds 19 and 20: [K2tog] repeat to end
5. To stop the front and back from curling, I picked up stitches, knitted in garter stitch for 2 rows, and then bound off.
IF/WHEN I knit this hat again, I will make the following changes:
1. Knit first 2 or 3 rows in 1x1 rib to stop the stockinette curl.
2. Use size 7 needles after the earflaps because the hat is a tad too tight.
