Crochet Bowser Inspired Earflap Hat

My grandson loves Bowser, so I am trying to make him some Bowser inspired gifts this Christmas.

I've seen a lot of cute character hats to crochet, but finding a Bowser hat that I liked was only semi-successful.  I found a picture on Pinterest that was very close to what I wanted to make, but no pattern, and the Etsy listing for the hat was no longer available.

So I did what any resourceful granny would do.  I improvised!   Having just finished this Bowser amigurumi, I had a pretty good idea of the shapes I needed to make to pull this project off.  So I got to work.

First I found a simple pattern for a cute earflap hat.  The link for that free pattern can be found at Micah Makes.  I made this hat in dark green and finished it except for the ties. 

Next to add the features.   I decided to start with the horns.  (Clarification.  11/8/2021)  Repeat all instructions until you reach the end of the round.  Your final stitch count on each round should match the number in the ( ).

1.  Make 4 sc in a magic circle
2.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (6)
3.  Sc in each st.  (6)
4.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (9)
5.  Sc in each st.
6.  *Sc in 1, inc.*  (13)
7.-8.   Sc in each st.
9.  Dec.  Sc in  remaining sts.  (12)
10.  *Sc in 1, inc.*  (18)
11.  *Sc in 5, inc.*  (21)
12.  Sc in each st.  Fasten off leaving tail.  Stuff and stitch to hat.

Horn ring:  make 2
1.  Chain 21.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each additional chain.   Ch. 1 and turn (20)
2-3  Sc in ea. st. Ch. 1 and turn.
Fold in half lengthwise and sew into a tube.  Wrap around base of horn and stitch ends together.  Secure to horn base with a few stitches.


Next I  made the hair.  Make 5 or more and stitch to top of head.

1.  Make 4 sc in a magic circle.
2.  *Sc 1, inc.*  (6)
3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (9)
4.   Sc in each st.  (9)
5.  *Sc in 2, inc. *  (12)
6.  Sc in each st.   (12)
7.  *Sc in 3, inc*  (15)
8-9  Sc in each st.  (15)
10.  *Sc in 4, inc*  (18)
11.  Sc in each st.
12.  *Sc in 2, inc*  (24)
13-16  Sc in each st.  Fasten off leaving tail.  Do not stuff.

The snout took me a couple of tries.

Large center disk:
1.  Make 6 sc in a mc.
2  Inc x's 6  (12)
3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (18)
4.  *Sc in 2, inc*  (24)
5.  *Sc in 3, inc*  (30)
6.  Sc in each st.  (30)
7.  *Sc in 3, dec*  (24)
8.  *Sc in 2, dec*  (18)
Fasten off and stuff.  Set aside for now.

Smaller side disks:  Make 2.
1.  Make 6 sc in a mc.
2  Inc x's 6  (12)
3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (18)
4.  *Sc in 2, inc*  (24)
5.  Sc in ea. st.   (24)
6.  *Sc in 2, de*  (18)
7.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (12)
Fasten off and stuff.

Now stitch smaller disks to large disk with large disk slightly overlapping the small ones.    Then stitch this assembled snout to front of hat about 1 or 2 rows from edge.  Take 2 long stitches on front of snout for nostrils and attach 2 triangles of felt for teeth to bottom of small disks.

Side tubes:  Make 2
1.  Chain 17,  sc in 2nd ch from hook and each additional chain. Ch 1 and turn.  (16)
2.-4   Sc in each st.  Ch. 1 and turn. (16)
Fold this piece in half lengthwise and stitch into a tube shape.    Sew to side of snout at bottom of hat.

Side balls:  Make 2
1.  Make 6 sc in a mc.
2  Inc x's 6  (12)
3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (18)
4.  Sc in each st.
5.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (12)
6.  Stuff and dec till closed.
Sew to end of tube.

For the eyes I cut felt into the long triangular shape, added  small bit of black felt and stitched the eyes about 2 rows above snout.

Eyebrows:  Make 2
1.  Make 6 sc in a mc.
2.  Inc x's 6  (12) 
2-5  Sc in ea. st. 
6.  *Sc in 2, dec* (8)
7-20  Sc in each st.
Fasten off.   Flatten and form around felt eye and sew into place.

For the ties I used this video.

Congrats!  You're done!

And that's how you make a true Bowser fan happy!

Blessings and Happy Hooking!
Reny