Ribbed Chullo Hat

A beginner-friendly knitted chullo: two garter-stitch earflaps joined to a stretchy k2, p2 rib body, worked in the round from the brim up, with a simple decreased crown and I-cord ties. Optional pompom.

Skill level: Beginner
Skills used: Knit, purl, kfb, k2tog, p2tog, knitting in the round, knitted cast-on, I-cord

Sizes

Child (Adult)

Shown in size logic for a child (adult) head. Ribbing is very stretchy; choose the size closest to the wearer’s head circumference.

Finished Measurements

• To fit head circumference: 18–20 (21–23) in / 45.5–51 (53.5–58.5) cm
• Hat circumference, slightly stretched: 16 (19¼) in / 40.5 (49) cm
• Earflap length: 3 (4) in / 7.5 (10) cm
• Length from joining round to crown: approx. 6 (7) in / 15 (18) cm
• Length from bottom of earflap to crown: approx. 9 (11) in / 23 (28) cm
• I-cord ties: 10 (12) in / 25.5 (30.5) cm each

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC #4), wool or wool-blend recommended for warmth.

• Yardage: 130 (180) yd / 119 (165) m
• Typical put-up: 1 skein of 200 yd / 183 m per 100 g

Solid color is recommended for this beginner version.

Needles

• US 7 / 4.5 mm, 16 in / 40 cm circular needle
• US 7 / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs), or a long circular for magic loop
• Straight or circular needle in the same size for earflaps (worked flat)

Adjust needle size if needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Spare needle or stitch holder (for first earflap)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: pompom maker or cardboard, and extra yarn for a pompom

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in k2, p2 ribbing, slightly stretched, on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

Garter stitch (earflaps) will measure slightly wider per stitch; this is expected and helps the flaps cover the ears.

Check gauge. A looser gauge makes a larger, drapier hat; a tighter gauge makes a smaller, denser hat.

Abbreviations (US)

• BOR – beginning of round
• CO – cast on
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
• kfb – knit into the front and back of the same stitch (1 stitch increased)
• p – purl
• p2tog – purl 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
• PM – place marker
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• WS – wrong side

Pattern Notes

• The hat is worked from the earflaps up. Two earflaps are knitted flat, then joined with cast-on stitches for the forehead (front) and back of the head. The body is worked in the round in k2, p2 ribbing.
• Do not twist the work when joining in the round.
• Switch from the 16 in / 40 cm circular needle to DPNs or magic loop when the crown decreases make the circular needle too crowded (usually around 48–60 sts).
• Numbers are given as Child (Adult). When only one number appears, it applies to both sizes.
• Earflaps use kfb at each end of every RS row so the rib body is the only new in-the-round skill.

Earflaps (make 2)

Worked flat in garter stitch (knit every row).

CO 4 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Knit.

Increase row (RS): K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (2 sts increased)

Next row (WS): Knit.

Repeat the last 2 rows 5 (7) more times. 16 (20) sts.
[Child: 4 + (2 × 6) = 16 sts ✓ | Adult: 4 + (2 × 8) = 20 sts ✓]

Continue in garter stitch (knit every row) until the earflap measures 3 (4) in / 7.5 (10) cm from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Place the first earflap on a spare needle or holder. Leave the second earflap on the needle, RS facing, ready to join. Cut yarn on the first flap only, leaving a 6 in / 15 cm tail. Keep working yarn attached to the second flap, or attach yarn at the start of the joining step, whichever is more comfortable.

Join for Body

With the circular needle and RS facing:

1. Knit across the 16 (20) sts of the first earflap.
2. Using the knitted cast-on, CO 28 (32) sts for the front (forehead).
3. Knit across the 16 (20) sts of the second earflap.
4. Using the knitted cast-on, CO 20 (24) sts for the back.
5. PM for BOR and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist.

80 (96) sts.
[Child: 16 + 28 + 16 + 20 = 80 sts ✓ | Adult: 20 + 32 + 20 + 24 = 96 sts ✓]

Body

Rib round: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.

Work even in k2, p2 ribbing until the piece measures 4 (5) in / 10 (12.5) cm from the joining round (do not include the earflaps in this measurement).

Crown

Change to DPNs or magic loop when the circular needle becomes tight.

Rnd 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end. 60 (72) sts.
[Child: 80 − 20 = 60 ✓ | Adult: 96 − 24 = 72 ✓]

Rnds 2–3: *K2, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 4: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end. 40 (48) sts.
[Child: 60 − 20 = 40 ✓ | Adult: 72 − 24 = 48 ✓]

Rnds 5–6: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 7: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 20 (24) sts.
[Child: 40 ÷ 2 = 20 ✓ | Adult: 48 ÷ 2 = 24 ✓]

Rnd 8: Knit.

Rnd 9: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 10 (12) sts.
[Child: 20 ÷ 2 = 10 ✓ | Adult: 24 ÷ 2 = 12 ✓]

Rnd 10: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 5 (6) sts.
[Child: 10 ÷ 2 = 5 ✓ | Adult: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 in / 20 cm tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 5 (6) sts, pull tight to close the crown, and fasten off on the inside.

I-Cord Ties

With DPNs and RS facing, pick up and knit 3 sts across the cast-on tip of one earflap.

Work I-cord as follows: *Knit 3, do not turn; slide the stitches back to the right-hand end of the needle; bring yarn behind the work; rep from * until the cord measures 10 (12) in / 25.5 (30.5) cm.

Next row: K2tog, k1. 2 sts.
Next row: K2tog. 1 st.

Fasten off and draw the tail through the last stitch. Weave the tail into the center of the I-cord.

Repeat for the second earflap.

Optional Pompom

Make a pompom about 2½–3 in / 6.5–7.5 cm in diameter. Sew it securely to the crown, weaving ends to the inside and tying them firmly so the pompom cannot pull out.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining ends on the WS.

Block lightly if desired: mist the hat and pat it into shape, or steam gently without stretching the ribbing. Let dry completely. The earflaps should lie flat; the ribbed body should remain elastic.

To wear, settle the ribbed band around the head with the wider cast-on section at the forehead, earflaps over the ears, and tie the I-cords under the chin.