How to Add Braids to Crochet Hats

If I add ear flaps to a hat, about 90% of the time I also add braids. If not, the ear flaps look a little sloppy. They end up flipping out, or changing shape. The braids complete the hat. They give it a nice position to lay when wearing.

I will sometimes use 3 colors that are found in the hat. Or I will go with one solid color. If you are looking for a hat pattern with ear flaps to attach braids. My Basic Hat Crochet Pattern can be found here. It has sizes from newborn to adult with ear flaps or without. If you would like to attach a yarn pom pom to the top, step-by-step instructions can be found here. Or you can attach your own faux fur pom pom to the top with these step-by-step instructions found here. They are so popular right now.

Materials Needed:

• yarn
• scissors
• a crochet hook (any size, this will be for weaving the strips of yarn through the stitches)
• a hard book approximately 10″ or more wide
• A measuring tape if you do not have a book

How to Add Braids to Hats

Choose your colors. You can make the braids one solid color, or three different colors, or a mixture of colors. Cut the yarn into 24 strips of 20″ long. I prefer to wrap the yarn around a book that is at least 10″ wide 24 times. I do not like to measure out 24 strips that are 20″ cutting each one individually. Their length always ends up being off. But if you do not have a wide hard back book, measuring will work.

Using the crochet hook, attach 4 strips of yarn to one of the bottom 3 sc on the ear flap. The 4 strips will be folded in half, so make sure the ends line up and are as even as you can get them. Repeat with the other 2 sc left on the ear flap.

Braid the 3 parts of the yarns together, a little tight.

Secure at the end with a knot, leaving a few inches of yarn under the knot. Once the knot is tightly secured, cut the strips so their even across.

Repeat with the other ear flap. Making sure to tie the knot and cutting the strips evenly.

Here is an example of the ear flaps on the Santa Baby hat. If you are interested in this pattern, it can be found here. Or here is a Basic Hat Crochet Pattern, if you are looking for a simple crochet hat to make.

If you have any questions, please comment below or you can email me at jessica@crochetitcreations.com. I would love to see photos of your finished work. Follow Crochet It Creations on Facebook, Ravelry, Instagram, and Twitter. Don’t forget to pin for later!

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