Fact: I am a grown woman, and I wear an adorable hand-knitted pixie hat in public. (I mean, why should kids have all the fun?) And, do you know what? It doesn’t even look ridiculous. Instead, it gives my winter-wear a cozy, whimsical style that really fits the fun, festive feel of the season. Of course, I couldn’t keep something that makes me so happy to myself, so I’m very excited to share my easy pixie hat knitting pattern with all of you!
Pixie hats have definitely turned into my go-to mindless knitting project of choice (as illustrated by the ever-growing pile of them on my desk). They’re quick and easy—I’ve been known to park myself in front of a Doctor Who marathon and whip one up in an evening—so they also make great last-minute gifts.
Credit where it’s due: My pattern was inspired by the wonderful Elfish hat pattern from KnitLove. When trying out my first few pixie hats, it really helped me develop the correct proportions and techniques to create the hat that I had in mind.
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Supplies:
* Heavy worsted weight or bulky weight yarn, 1 ball or at least 125 yards. (I used Manos del Uruguay’s multicolor handspun
Tools:
* US size 11 (8mm) circular knitting needles
* US size 11 (8mm) DPN knitting needles
* Stitch markers
* Small crochet hook
* Darning needle
* Scissors
* Measuring tape
Easy Grownup Pixie Hat
K: knit
K1: knit one
P1: purl one
K2tog: knit two together
Guage: 13 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
Skill level: Beginner
Ribbing
Cast on 60 stitches.
I used an alternating knit/purl cast on for K1/P1 ribbing, but feel free to use your favorite stretchy/slightly stretchy cast on method.
Note: You can use either circular knitting needles or DPNs for the ribbing and the body of the hat. If using DPNs, split the stitches between 3 needles after casting on.
Join the beginning and end of the round, placing a stitch marker before the first stitch.
Rounds 1-5: Work K1/P1 ribbing. (60 stitches)
Body of the Hat
Rounds 6-24: Knit. (60 stitches)
Round 25: K20 then place a stitch marker, K20 then place a stitch marker, K20 then confirm that the stitch marker that marks the beginning of the round is still in place. You should now have a total of 3 stitch markers arranged at 20 stitch intervals. (60 stitches)
Starting at the top of the ribbing, the body of the hat should measure about 4" in length.
Begin decrease
If using circular needles, move stitches to 3 DPNs.
Round 26: K18, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (57 stitches)
As we continue, keep in mind that the decrease will always occur two stitches before each stitch marker.
Round 27: K17, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (54 stitches)
Round 28: K16, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (51 stitches)
Round 29: K15, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (48 stitches)
Round 30: K14, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (45 stitches)
Round 31: K13, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (42 stitches)
Round 32: K12, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (39 stitches)
Round 33: K11, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (36 stitches)
Round 34: K10, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (33 stitches)
Round 35: K9, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (30 stitches)
Round 36: K8, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (27 stitches)
Round 37: K7, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (24 stitches)
Round 38: K6, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (21 stitches)
Round 39: K5, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (18 stitches)
Round 40: K4, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (15 stitches)
Round 41: K3, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (12 stitches)
Round 42: K2, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (9 stitches)
Round 43: K1, K2tog. Repeat until end of round. (6 stitches)
Round 44: K2tog three times, removing the stitch markers as you knit. (3 stitches)
Make the tip of the hat
Round 45: K2tog, then K2tog the stitch you just knitted with the one remaining stitch. (1 stitch)
Round 46: K1. Cut the yarn leaving a tail several inches long, then fasten off by pulling the tail through the loop of the last stitch.
Finishing
Use a crochet hook to carefully pull the tail at the tip of the hat through to the inside. Weave in all ends, then block to shape as needed.
You’re done! I hope you have as much fun wearing your pixie hats as I do mine!
On Ravelry? Add my Easy Grownup Pixie Hat to your Ravelry queue here.
first of all, you are adorable. Second, I must make this!! :D
Aww, thank you! Enjoy the pattern! :)
I’ve made 2 of these so far! It has to be exceedingly cute for me to take up knitting needles…. I’m a great crocheter and a pretty basic knitter. First one I made using 11 circular needles, but it turned out oversized both in circumference and length. Second one made solely on size 11 dpns and paying attention to the remark “four inches past the top of the ribbing..” And it fits perfectly and looks great. And now I desire a pixie purse pattern, please. :D Offhand I’m thinking something in a crossbody hobo with an interesting detail to the flap . . . I would like to know what yarn was used for the green and blue hat pictured?
Glad you sorted out the gauge problems! Funny how much of a difference switching between DPNs and circs can sometimes make for loosening/tightening stitches.
The green and blue ombre hat was made using Freia Handpaint Yarns in the Lichen colorway.