Sweetie Pumpkin Pie Hat in Spud & Chloe Outer - Downloadable PDF

Sweetie Pumpkin Pie Hat – Free Knitting Pattern by Elizabeth R. Krueger for Spud & Chloë

The Sweetie Pumpkin Pie Hat is a free downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Elizabeth R. Krueger and published by Spud & Chloë. This charming small-sized hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown, making it an ideal project for knitters who are just beginning to explore circular knitting. Its finished circumference measures 13 inches unstretched, making it perfectly sized for a little one.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a cozy, snug-fitting knitted hat in a small size. The design takes its inspiration from the warm, earthy tones of autumn and pumpkin pie, reflected in the two-color combination shown in the sample: Buoy #7219 and Peat #7204. The hat features a deep ribbed body that provides comfortable stretch and a neatly shaped crown worked through a series of decrease rounds.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round – The hat is worked entirely in the round on a circular needle, which eliminates seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric.
• Joining in the round – Stitches are cast on and carefully joined without twisting before the ribbing begins.
• Crown shaping with decreases – A sequence of seven decrease rounds shapes the top of the hat, reducing from 40 stitches down to just 5 stitches before finishing.
• Two-color knitting – A second color, Peat #7204 (color B), is introduced partway through the crown shaping to add a subtle color detail at the top of the hat.
• Gauge swatch – The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 15 rows = 4 inches in k2, p2 rib pattern, so swatching is recommended to ensure proper sizing.

Stitches Used

• K2, P2 Rib – The main body of the hat is worked in a classic two-by-two rib stitch, alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This creates a stretchy, textured fabric that hugs the head comfortably.
• Knit (k) – The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of both the ribbing and the crown.
• Purl (p) – Used in alternation with knit stitches throughout the ribbing section.
• K2tog (knit 2 together) – A right-leaning decrease used extensively in the crown shaping rounds to reduce stitch count.
• P2tog (purl 2 together) – A purl-side decrease used in the first crown round to begin transitioning from the rib pattern into the shaped crown.

Crown Shaping Detail

The crown is worked over seven rounds. The first two rounds gradually break down the k2, p2 rib by eliminating purl stitches. Color B is introduced on Round 3 for a pop of contrast. Subsequent rounds use k2tog decreases to rapidly reduce the stitch count from 30 stitches to 20, then to 10, and finally to just 5 remaining stitches, which are then drawn together to close the top of the hat.

Materials

• Yarn: Spud & Chloë Outer, a super chunky weight yarn. Two colors are used: Buoy #7219 (color A) and Peat #7204 (color B).
• Needles: Circular needles appropriate for super chunky weight yarn, used to knit in the round.
• Notions: A stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Difficulty and Accessibility

Rated as Beginner skill level, the Sweetie Pumpkin Pie Hat is an excellent first circular knitting project. The pattern uses only fundamental stitches — kn