Reverse engineered Winter 2014 Opening Ceremonies USA earflap hat using reindeer chart from Team USA Reindeer Hat by cleverknits .

The hat is knit top down. After the increases, the number of stitches is 120. The charts are written with that number of stitches in mind. Although there are not multiple sizes, the size can be altered somewhat without adding stitches by changing needle size.

As a fairly loose knitter, I usually have to go down a size or two from the recommended needle size to get gauge--I knit this hat with size 3 & 4 needles.

I was in a rush to get this posted, so I’ll add more photos later.

GO USA!

12/31/2013--8pm charts have been re-sized so the edges more closely match up.

12/31/2013
here are some links for knitting helps
m1R & m1
and
stretchy bind off: Interlock Bind off from Knitty

1/1/2014 As written the hat may be too tall. My son says hobo-ish. I’m thinking that after increasing to 60 stitches, the remaining increases should take place on every row. OR, maybe the first increases should take place on every row and every-other row after a while? In any event, the top blue part seems to be too deep/long.

1/2/2013 The pattern has the earflaps centered on the sides of the hat and they are too narrow. They should be further toward the back of the hat. I suggest shifting them 5 stitches toward the back (the “U” side) and adding another 5 to 7 stitches on the back side because it’s a longer distance from ear-to-ear going around the front of your head, than measuring around the back.

1/2/2013 Also, if the hat seems a little tight, tall, and skinny remember that the stitches loosen up quite a bit when the finished hat is soaked/washed.

1/3/2013 Oh look, another note--sorry. Abandon the nonsense of starting with a smaller needle--that’s nutty-fussy and not at all necessary. I would, however still make the ribbing and earflaps with a smaller needle.

1/7/2013 Earflap change Place the first earflap marker 20 stitches before the halfway marker and 13 stitches beyond the halfway marker. After completing the first earflap, bind off 20 stitches. The second earflap will take the next 33 stitches, up to 13 stitches beyond the start of round marker.
--This change makes for a much better fitting hat; pattern will be updated to reflect this soon.

Changes to Big Tree Charts The top of the big trees are awkward, you can fix this by adding a few duplicate stitches when you have completed the hat.
OR, color in the following blocks on the tree charts
Big Tree Start--Add red stitches at 23/2, 23/3, 23/4, 21/1
Big Tree End--Add red stitches at 23/5, 23/6