Goldfish Hat in Spud & Chloe - OTR7 - Downloadable PDF

Goldfish Hat in Spud & Chloe – OTR7 Knitting Pattern Summary

The Goldfish Hat (OTR7) is a knitted hat pattern from Spud & Chloe's On the Run collection, available as a downloadable PDF. Designed as a beginner-friendly lace project, it is described in the pattern itself as a perfect first-time lace project, making it an ideal choice for knitters who are ready to move beyond basic stockinette and explore decorative stitch work without feeling overwhelmed. The finished hat features a ribbed brim, a graceful lace body, and a classically shaped crown with tidy decrease rounds.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted hat worked entirely in the round from the brim up to the crown. Three sizes are offered, cast on at 104, 112, or 128 stitches respectively, giving knitters flexibility to achieve the best fit. The hat is a complete, standalone accessory project suitable for adults or older children depending on the size chosen.

Construction and Structure

The hat is constructed in three distinct sections:

• Brim: Cast on stitches are joined to work in the round, and the brim is worked for 15 rounds in a 3×1 rib pattern (k3, p1 repeat). This creates a neat, stretchy edge that sits comfortably on the head.
• Lace Body: The main body of the hat is worked through the Lace Pattern repeated three full times, spanning a total of 42 rounds of decorative knitting. The lace repeat is worked over a multiple of 8 stitches and a 14-round sequence.
• Crown: Shaping begins with a transition decrease round, reducing the stitch count to 100, 110, or 120 stitches, followed by a series of evenly spaced k2tog decrease rounds alternating with plain knit rounds until the hat closes at the top.

Techniques Used

Despite its beginner rating, this pattern introduces several satisfying knitting techniques:

• Knitting in the round – the entire hat is worked circularly, eliminating seams and making it a smooth, continuous project.
• Ribbing – the brim uses a k3, p1 rib, a foundational technique that adds elasticity and a polished finish.
• Lace knitting – the body incorporates yarn overs (yo) paired with k2tog decreases to create an open, decorative pattern that shifts elegantly across the fabric.
• Cable crossing – Round 13 of the lace pattern features a 3-over-3 cable cross, worked by slipping 3 stitches to a double-pointed needle (dpn) held in front, knitting the next 3 stitches, then knitting the held stitches. This adds a beautiful textural accent within the lace repeat.
• Crown decreases – standard k2tog decreases are used in a structured sequence to shape the top of the hat neatly.
• Chart reading – the pattern references a stitch chart alongside written instructions, giving knitters the option to follow either format.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) – the fundamental building blocks used throughout brim, body, and crown.
• Yarn Over (yo) – creates the decorative eyelets that define the lace pattern.
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used both within the lace pattern and during crown shaping.
• 3-over-3 Cable Cross – worked with a double-pointed needle on Round 13 of each lace repeat, adding a cable element to the lace design.
• Slip stitch – used when placing stitches onto the dpn for the cable cross.

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