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Story by
katiearms
Published on June 9, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
Are you a knitter with a baby in your life? Need a sweet little project to keep your hands busy during the summer months? Or if you're one of our Southern Hemisphere friends, you're in luck! Download the complete project instructions here, or follow along below, courtesy of Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren.
In the 1940s and 1950s pointy "pixie" hats were all the rage for babies. For this 1944 version, a knitted rectangle is folded in half and grafted together, then a strap is added along the bottom to secure the hat firmly on baby's head. I selected a soft, springy wool sock yarn for this project. I often choose sock yarn for baby clothes because it is durable, washable, and soft, and because it knits up in the finer gauges that are so common in vintage patterns.
Sizes
3-12 (12-24) months
Shown in size 3-12 months.
Finished Measurements
Approximately 13 (13 3/4)" [33 (35) cm] as base of neck, buttoned
8 3/4 (9 1/2)" [22 (24) cm] to highest point, at back of Hat
Note: Choose the appropriate size based on the height of the hat. You can adjust the fit of the neckband if necessary.
Yarn
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock
Medium weight (100% superwash Merino wool; 380 yards [347 meters] / 155 grams): 1 hank Coral
Needles
One pair straight needles size US 3 (3.25 mm)
Spare needle size US 3 (3.25 mm) or smaller, for Kitchener Stitch
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Notions
One 11/16" (15 mm) buttons
Gauge
36 sts and 36 rows= 4" (10 cm) in 2x2 Rib
Notes
This hat is very easy to size up or down from the sizes given. Simply add or subtract sts in a multiple of 4 and work the crosswise ridges as instructed until you have only 2 sts in ribbing at the center of the Hat. Then complete the Hat as instructed. When sizing, keep in mind that for every 4 sts you add or subtract, you will also add or subtract 1/3" (8 mm) to the height of the Hat, in order to complete the crosswise ridges.
Stitch Patterns
2x2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts + 2; 1-row repeat)
Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts as they face you.
Repeat Row 2 for 2x2 Rib.
1x1 Rib (multiple of 2 sts; 1-row repeat)
All rows: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Hat
CO 98 (106) sts. Begin 2x2 Rib.
Work even for 4 rows.
Shape Hat
Row 1 (RS): K6, work in 2x2 Rib to last 6 sts, knit to end.
Row 2: Knit the knot sts and purl the purl sts as they face you.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: K8, work to last 8 sts, knit to end.
Row 5: Repeat Row 2.
Row 6: Repeat Row 4.
Row 7: K10, work to last 10 sts, knit to end.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9: Repeat Row 7.
Row 10: K12, work to last 12 sts, knit to end.
Row 11: Repeat Row 2.
Row 12: Repeat Row 10.
Row 13: K14, work to last 14 sts, knit to end.
Row 14: Repeat Row 2.
Row 15: Repeat Row 13.
Row 16: K16, work to last 16 sts, knit to end.
Row 17: Repeat Row 2.
Row 18: Repeat Row 16.
Note: You are creating "crosswise ridges" of three rows of St st, alternating with 3 rows of Reverse St st, at the beginning and end of every row, with the 2x2 Rib continuing in the center.
Rows 19-64 (70): Continue until 2 sts remain in the 2x2 Rib in the center of the hat, increasing the number of knit sts worked at the beginning and end of every third row by 2, decreasing the number of 2x2 Rib sts worked in the center of the hat by 2 on each side, and working all intervening rows by knitting the knit sts and purling the purl sts. Break yarn.
Transfer first 49 (53) sts to spare needle, with point facing towards center of work. Using Kitchener Stitch (see Special Techniques, page 158), graft sts together, beginning at center of work.
Neckband
CO 10sts. Begin 1x1 Rib. Work even until piece measures 12 (12 3/4)" [30.5 (32.5) cm] from the beginning, or to 3 3/4" (9.5 cm) less than desired length.
Make Buttonhole
Row 1 (RS): Work 4 sts, k1-f/b, p1, pass second st on right-handed needle over last st, k1-f/b, pass third st on right-handed needle over last 2 sts, work to end.
Row 2: Work 3 sts, p2tog, k2, p1, k1, p2tog, work to end.
*Work even for 7 rows. Repeat buttonhole rows. Repeat from * once. Work even until piece measures 15 3/4 (16 1/2)" [40 (42) cm] from the beginning, ending with a WS row. BO all sts in pattern.
Finishing
Block pieces lightly. Sew side edge of neckband to CO edge of hat, beginning with CO edge of neckband flush with right edge of Hat. Sew button to neckband, so that when fastened, neckband fits comfortably around neck.
Thanks to Kristen Rengren and the folks at Stewart Tabori & Chang for sharing this project with us.
Read more knitting-related posts. More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog. And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?
81 comments Login to add your own!
HibouCards
I love the strawberry buttons... makes me think of my grandma back in France who is a champion knitter! I rarely had to buy sweaters when I was little, she did all of mine and I kept some of them!
HibouCards
Thanks for the links to, I'm going to get her some funny knitting needles I think :)
HibouCards
Thanks for the links to, I'm going to get her some funny knitting needles I think :)
dogties
lovelygifts
CheeseAtFourpence
ooh, I love this and that book looks great!! I must order it right now for my library. these are the forerunners of my own pixie hats, it seems!
siennaorlando
No way! Thanks for including my little buttons! And some day I am going to learn to knit!!
KOALACaddie
What a wonderful pattern, combining the best of a hat and a hood. I'm going to make one for my Joey! Thank you for the pattern and also for the tip re: sock yarn.
foamywader
BeadinBabe
themagicalbean
uncharted
IcingOnTheCupcake
LippincottSoapCo
I don't knit, but I just had to comment on the cute baby in the orange pixie hat! Look at those big brown eyes!!
MyGrandmasAttic
adoreneko
CollectionObsession
I love vintage knitting patterns, esp for baby clothes. That book looks great. And I have some vintage pattern books I need to list. They are here, somewhere.
JeweledAmbrosia
thebestvintage
moonscreations
circlestreet
i just have to say that that baby in the orange hat is the cutest baby i have ever seen. i can't get over it. adorable.
Morado
LeahSutton
clubviv
CarryTheWord
pandawithcookie
I wish I had time to do more knitting. Alas, it is on the back burner for now.
jenglo
beautymarkbeads
beautifulbridget
FancifulForm
LilyBaySoap
alankarshilpa
Thanks so much for the fee pattern. I am going to try it .I had seen ad for this book .Was not sure how it'll be. Thank you so much - it answered my question i guess.
Dita from http://www.bead-z-mommys-business.com
myfriendamy
KAPARA
vintageaimee
I love this--even on a broiling day in Baltimore! Just bought buttons from siennaorlando because they were too delicious to pass up! Thanks!
bellasparty
WoollyWonka
PandaHatXpress
MyJunkyTrunk
Oh, these items are so sweet! Thanks for sharing! Oh, and here's another that's irresistably sweet!
anicastillo
ArtDecoDame
kylieB
BPyarns
moxiesisters
Such a cute hat....and baby! I can't wait to try this pattern. My friend is having a girl next month! I have the perfect soft pink recycled yarn to use!
~Jeni
EpicBones
PipocaHandmade
mossyrockpottery
Awww... reminds me of one of my little girls when she was that tiny! I'm such a sucker for babies...
whiletheyplay
soooooo cute! i can't wait to make this hat. there's plenty of little new arrivals to make it for for this winter. :)
weirdwolf
BluCille
kidacollective
Very cute. You know I actually just bought this vintage pattern (or one very similar) at a charity shop last week! (oh well, at least my 20p went to charity ;) )
PAINTINGSBYSAM
recycledwares
there is nothing more adorable than a rosy cheeked baby in a pixie hat.
seedknits
babook
SecretLolita
The hat is so cute - I simply must try it. The yarn referenced is beautiful - thanks for the links.
monograft
oh my god, she's soooo adorable!!! This hat makes her even more CUTER!
YasmeensCollection
I just have to learn ho to knit. I crochet, but it doesn't compare.
berriiiz
RetroHouse
y0omii
oh this is so adorable! I'm still too young to have a kid, but if I have a daughter in the future, I'd love to make that for her ^______^
variation
Can't wait to check out the Vintage Baby Knits book! I love vintage patterns ;-)
mammysshop
LittleAdorables
OooHhh! That is thee Most Adorable Baby Ever!!!
Thank you so much for the pattern.
I hope I can try it sometime.
:o)
ouryellowhouse
that is a fantastic pattern and thanks for including one of my pilot caps in the treasury!
southernladysvintage
Great article! That little baby is as cute as a button! All of the gorgeous yarn makes me weak in the knees!
sirenedelmare
I had one of these when I was a baby! Love it! So cute and how about the baby in the picture? Could he get any more ADORABLE? ( :
lbrodar
as a mom, of course i think my baby is the cutest -- but that 1950's baby with the kitty hat takes the cake ;)
lilikin
I have a chunky-textured pixie hat for anyone who's interested:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Colour to suit your pixie's preference!
becross
so great and so cute cute baby.
thank you very much the idea i can reach a lot of people on here
HazelMay
JessicaZ
ooh i made this! it ended up SO cute and it was really easy. any beginner knitter could do it!
JessicaZ
also - anyone who loves knitting baby clothes should buy this book. it is full of amazing patterns that are initially overwhelming but all surmountable! i love it and have made lots of gifts from this amazing book.
ChloesRuffleButt
EmmaHadley
This is so adorable, I'm tempted to find some knitting needles :)
EliesHappyHats
If you need something very cute for your sweetie, please stop by my store!!! I will make sure you will get a good deal over there!
craftyasiangirl
Just tried knitting this up and noticed there's a discrepancy between the pattern printed above and what's in the PDF link.
In the buttonhole part of the pattern, what is listed as row 2 is supposed to be row 3; the actual row 2 is missing:Row 2: Work 3 sts, p2tog, turn, CO 4 sts using Cable CO, turn, k2tog, work to end
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