Chunky Ear Flap Hat - a pattern

This isn't the best picture of the hat, but how cute are these two??

I put together an ear-flap hat for one of my nieces lately, and it turned out so well that I decided to make a few more. Those turned out so well that I thought I should get the pattern written down so I could make them again in the future.

Chunky Ear Flap Hat
Sized for 8-9 year old person

Use Bulky Yarn - I like Lion Brand Hometown or Red Heart Chunky Soft
Size I hook

Round 1: Magic Circle, chain 2, 8 more hdcs
Round 2: 2 hdc in each hdc, 16 hdc total
Round 3: 2 hdc in 1st hdc, 1 in next, around, 24 hdc total
Round 4: 2 hdc in 1st hdc, 1 in next 2 hdc, 32 hdc total
Round 5: 2 hdc in 1st hdc, 1 in next 3 hdc, 40 hdc total
Round 6: hdc around, increase by 5 hdc evenly around, 45 hdc total
Round 7-13: hdc around, 45 hdc total

The hat should essentially be a beanie at this point. Check against recipient if available, add or remove rows according to fit.

Earflaps:

#1:
Join in the 6th st from the seam.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same stitch and into 9 stitchets, turn 10 sc total
Row 2: Ch 1, sc around turn, 10 sc total
Row 3: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 9 sc total
Row 4: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 8 sc total
Row 5: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 7 sc total
Row 6: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 6 sc total
Row 7: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 5 sc total
Row 8: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, turn. 4 sc total
Row 9: Ch 1, skip first st, and sc in rest of row, fasten off. 3 sc total

#2:
Skip 13 st across front of hat and join in the 14th st. Repeat instructions for #1.

Joining anywhere in the hat, sc around, at ends of earflaps, make sc, ch 3, sc in each end. Fasten off.

Braided Ties:

Cut 6-12 strands of yarn 24" long for each braid. Loop yarn around your finger and pull through the ch 3 space on the earflap. Pull the ends of the strands through the loop and pull tight. Braid and knot the end.