Hippity-Hop Hat in Spud & Chloe Outer - 201625 - Downloadable PDF

Hippity-Hop Hat in Spud & Chloe Outer – A Beginner-Friendly Colorblock Knitted Toddler Hat

The Hippity-Hop Hat is a charming, quick-to-knit toddler hat designed by Sarah Smuland as part of the Spud & Chloë Complimentary Series. This free downloadable PDF pattern is sized for toddlers and produces a finished hat with a 17-inch circumference and a 7-inch height — perfectly proportioned for little heads. The design is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an ideal next step for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore simple colorwork and hat construction in the round.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a colorblock knitted hat for toddlers. The design concept is delightfully simple yet versatile: the knitter selects two contrasting or complementary colors of yarn, using one color for the ribbed brim and the other for the main body of the hat. The pattern even encourages making a second hat by reversing the two colors, so the rib and body swap roles — a clever way to get two coordinating hats from just two hanks of yarn. The sample shown uses #7200 Soapstone (Color A) and #7220 Rhino (Color B), two shades from the Spud & Chloë Outer line.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Spud & Chloë Outer in a Bulky (super chunky) weight, composed of 65% Superwash Wool and 35% Organic Cotton. Each hank contains 100g and approximately 60 yards. The pattern calls for 1 hank of Color A and 1 hank of Color B.
• Needles: Size 11 (8mm) 16-inch circular needles for the main body of the hat, and Size 11 (8mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for working the crown decreases. Knitters are advised to use whatever needle size is needed to achieve the correct gauge.
• Notions: A stitch marker to mark the beginning of rounds, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends upon finishing.

Gauge

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 11 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Because this is a super chunky yarn on large needles, the fabric knits up quickly, making this an excellent project for a fast, satisfying finish — ideal for gift knitting or last-minute makes.

Techniques and Construction

The Hippity-Hop Hat is knitted entirely in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric. Construction begins with a cast-on (CO) at the brim, where stitches are joined and worked in ribbing — a classic combination of knit and purl stitches that creates an elastic, stretchy edge that grips comfortably around a toddler's head without being too tight.

• Ribbing: The brim is worked in a rib pattern using alternating knit (k) and purl (p) stitches. Ribbing is a foundational knitting technique that adds elasticity and structure to hat brims, cuffs, and necklines.
• Stockinette stitch: The body of the hat is worked in Stockinette stitch — knitting every round when working in the round — which produces a smooth, classic fabric surface.
• Crown decreases: As the hat nears the top, stitches are reduced using k2tog (knit two together), a simple right-leaning decrease that shapes the crown neatly. When the stitch count becomes too small for the circular needle, knitters transition to double-pointed needles to complete the crown.
• Stitch marker placement: A stitch marker is used to place marker (pm) at the beginning of the round, helping knitters track their progress