Cotton Frog Hat 0-3 months size

This is one of my favorite yarns to work with, Lion Brand Natures Choice Organic Cotton, and it makes a super cute and soft hat for a newborn.  I have made lots of these in lots of different color combos but this one is done in Wildflowers for a baby girl due next month.  Here is what you will need:

Natures Choice Organic Cotton in the following colors:
Wildflowers, Limeade, Curacoa, or Petite Fours for the body of the hat.  

Dusty Sage for the cheeks.

Expresso and Almond for the eyes.

yarn needle

Size I or 5.5 mm hook

Using the wildflowers make either a magic loop or chain 4 and make a loop, then chain 2.

Round 1:  make 12 DC in the loop, sl st to the top of the first DC and ch 1.

Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1. (24 HDC)

Round 3:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (36 HDC)

Round 4:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (36 HDC)

Round 5:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 3 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (45 HDC)

Rounds 6-12:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first HDC, ch 1.  (45 HDC in each round)

For first ear flap:  

at the end of your 12th round you will start your first ear flap,

Row 1:  1 HDC in the next 10 sts, ch 1 and turn.

Row 2:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 7 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 3:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 5 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 4:  sk the first st, 1 HDC in the next 3 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 5: sk the st st.  1 HDC in the next st, HDCD in the last 2 sts., ch 1 turn.

Row 6: HDCD and tie off, weave in the end.

To place the second ear flap count across the front of the hat 18 sts, and begin the next ear flap using the above directions.

Eyes: (make 2)

make a magic loop or chain loop in expresso and chain 2.

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop.  Tie off 

Round 2:  with Almond join in any st, chain 1 and make 2 HDC in each st. around, sl st to the top of the first HDC and tie off leaving a long tail to sew on the eye.  

Row 3:  with Wildflowers join in the st next to your long tail and  do 1 SC in the next 10 sts. ch 1 and turn.

Row 4:  1 HDC in the next 9 sts. to form the eyelid, sl st in the last st and leave a long tail to sew on the top half of the eye.  

Cheeks: (make 2)

make a magic loop or chain loop in Dusty Sage and ch 2.

Round 1:  10 DC in the loop, sl st to the top of the first DC, ch 1.

Round 2:  2 HDC in each st around (20 HDC), tie off leaving a long tail to sew on cheeks.

Sew cheeks to the corner of the earflap and then with Expresso making sure to leave a long tail to make the corner of the smile, 1 SC in each st across the bottom front of the hat, tie off on the other side leaving a long tail to make the other corner of the smile.  

To finish around the ear flaps and back side of the hat attach Dusty Sage to the bottom corner of the mouth and SC evenly around the edge of the first ear flap, 1 SC in each st across the back of the hat, and SC evenly around the other earflap.  It helps to put two SC st in the tip of each earflap.   

For Braids cut 4  32 inch strands of three of your colors for each braid.  I used Wildflowers, Dusty Sage, and Expresso.