Free "pussy hat" crochet pattern with movable ears

Over the past week, I’ve seen a lot of people saying they can’t find a crochet pattern to make one of the popular pink “pussy hats” that will be worn en masse during marches and protests on January 21st.
So I created one, but admittedly it’s a little different than the rectangle design that most people are making.
I wanted a hat that could be worn slouchy or with the brim folded up, which meant the ears needed to be mobile. I made the ears separately, and they attach with buttons by pushing the buttons through the holes in the crochet. Note: my buttons were slightly too big, I recommend using smaller buttons and/or measuring the buttons before you attach them, unlike me.

Materials
This is a simple pattern that most beginners can handle. If you don’t like the large ears, you can use a lighter weight yarn with a smaller hook for smaller cat ears.
I used Drops Eskimo chunky yarn in a hot pink shade, and the light pink in the ears was made with some chunky light pink stash yarn that has long since lost its label. (3 balls, 150g, or
6.5mm hook
4 buttons
yarn needle

Pussy hat crochet pattern

 

Ribbing

Chain 15 and turn.
Row 1: Double crochet (US single crochet) into the second chain from the hook and in every remaining chain for a total of 14 stitches. Chain 1, turn.
Row 2: Double crochet (US single crochet) into the back post of every stitch. This will create a ribbing like texture as we go along. Repeat this row 48 times which should give you 24 “ribbing ridges.” If you’re using the recommended yarn, it was one whole 50g ball for me! Slip stitch the short ends together to make a circle, and turn so the seam faces the inside.

Hat

Starting at the seam where you sewed up the ribbing piece, do one double crochet (US single crochet). Then do two double crochets in between each ribbed ridge around the brim. When you get to the end, do one more double crochet into the final spot where the seam is. You should have 48 stitches going around the hat.
Round 2: do one half treble crochet (US half double crochet) into each stitch around. Repeat this round 13 times or until it measures 4 inches from the top of the ribbing. Now we’ll start the decreases!
Decrease round 1: *Decrease, 4 half treble crochets* Repeat between ** until end of round.
Decrease round 2: *Decrease, 3 half treble crochets* repeat to end of round.
Decrease round 3: *Decrease, 2 half treble crochets* repeat to end of round
Decrease round 4: *Decrease, 1 half treble crochet* repeat to end of round
Decrease round 5: *Decrease* repeat decreases until end of round. Repeat this row one more time.
Sew up the hole at the top of the hat and weave in ends.

Ears
larger ear portion (make 2)
Using hot pink yarn, make a magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as one half treble) and work 8 half trebles (US half doubles) into the ring, and tighten. Chain 2, and turn.
Row 2: 2 half trebles (US half doubles) into the first stitch, 3 half trebles, 5 half trebles into the 5th (and uppermost) stitch, 3 half trebles, and 2 half trebles into the final stitch. Chain 2, and turn.
Row 3: 2 half trebles into the first stitch, 6 half trebles, 5 half trebles into the middle stitch, 6 half trebles, and 2 half trebles into the final stitch. Cut yarn and bind off.

Inner ear (make 2)
Using lighter pink yarn, make a magic ring. Chain 2 (counts as one double crochet) and work 8 double crochets (US single crochets) into the ring, and tighten. Chain 1, and turn.
Row 2: 2 double crochets (US single crochets) into the first stitch, 3 double crochets, 5 double crochets into the middle stitch, 3 double crochets, and 2 double crochets into the final stitch. Chain one, and turn.
Row 2: 2 double crochets into the first stitch, 6 double crochets, 5 double crochets into the middle stitch, 6 double crochets, and 2 double crochets into the final stitch. Cut yarn and bind off.
Sew the inner ear to the outer ear and attach a button to both sides of each ear. Now you can button the ears to the hat and wear it however you like!
Okay, so real talk. This pattern is free, yes, but I urge you to please make a donation to the ACLU or Planned Parenthood, even if it’s $1 or £1. The next four years are going to be difficult and full of problems to solve. These organizations fight for your rights, but they need money to keep the lights on. So please, consider making a donation.
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