Dream Catcher Hat in Spud & Chloe Sweater - Downloadable PDF

Dream Catcher Hat in Spud & Chloe Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern by Susan B. Anderson

The Dream Catcher Hat is a free downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Susan B. Anderson and published by Spud & Chloe. This charming baby and toddler hat is worked in the round using a colorful striped textured stitch pattern, making it an ideal project for knitters of all experience levels, including beginners. The pattern is sized for 0–6 months and 6–12 months, making it a wonderful handmade gift for newborns and infants.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a small, cozy knitted hat designed to fit babies from newborn through twelve months of age. The finished hat features a bold, striped colorwork effect created by working the same repeating stitch pattern in multiple colors of Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn. The result is a visually striking yet straightforward hat that showcases the natural beauty and color range of the yarn.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater, an aran weight yarn, used in multiple colorways including Splash, Firefly, Grass, and Pollen
• Needles: 16-inch circular knitting needles appropriate for aran weight yarn
• Notions: Stitch marker for marking the beginning of the round

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches per inch, which is consistent with aran weight yarn on standard circular needles. Achieving the correct gauge ensures the hat fits the intended size range properly.

Construction and Techniques

The hat is worked entirely in the round on 16-inch circular needles, beginning with a cast-on of 64 stitches for the smaller size or 72 stitches for the larger size. Knitting in the round is a fundamental technique that creates a seamless tube of fabric, which is ideal for hats, as it eliminates the need for seaming and produces a neat, professional finish.

• The hat begins with 2 rounds of k2, p2 ribbing to create a stretchy, fitted brim
• The body of the hat is worked in a modified Harris Tweed stitch pattern, adapted from the stitch dictionary Super Stitches Knitting by Karen Hemingway
• Color changes are made between each 8-round repeat, with yarn being cut and a new color attached at each transition
• Each color is worked for one full 8-round repeat before switching to the next shade

Stitches Used

The Dream Catcher Hat uses a small, accessible set of basic knitting stitches, making it well-suited for beginner knitters who are comfortable working in the round:

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundational stitch of knitting, creating smooth V-shaped fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – the reverse of the knit stitch, used here to create textural contrast
• k2, p2 ribbing – a classic two-by-two rib pattern used for the brim, providing elasticity and a tidy edge
• Harris Tweed modified stitch pattern – an 8-round repeat worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, combining rounds of k2, p2 ribbing with rounds of plain knitting and plain purling to produce a rich, tweedy texture

Stitch Pattern Breakdown

The modified Harris Tweed stitch pattern is the heart of this hat's visual appeal. Each 8-round repeat is structured as follows:

• Rounds 1 and 2: k2, p2 repeat to end of round
• Rounds 3 and 4: knit all stitches
• Rounds 5 and 6: k2, p2 repeat to end of round