Pixieish

Pixieish Baby Hats by Alexandra Davidoff

What is Being Made

Pixieish is a downloadable knitting pattern for baby hats designed by Alexandra Davidoff. The pattern includes four size options to accommodate newborns through babies up to 12 months old. Each size produces a finished hat with specific measurements when blocked but unstretched: Newborn measures 5 inches long with a 10-inch circumference; Baby 0-3 months measures 5.5 inches long with an 11-inch circumference; Baby 3-6 months measures 6 inches long with a 12-inch circumference; and Baby 6-12 months measures 6.5 inches long with a 13-inch circumference. These proportions make the hats suitable for growing babies across their first year.

Techniques and Construction

Pixieish is knitted in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, a common technique for creating seamless, tubular garments like hats. The pattern features a decorative Leaf Pattern that is worked from a chart, requiring knitters to read and follow stitch-by-stitch instructions. The construction involves increases created through yarn overs and decreases using the p3tog (purl three together) technique, which are essential shaping methods in intermediate knitting. The pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, indicating that knitters should be comfortable with reading charts, working in the round, and managing multiple stitch types.

Stitches Used

The Pixieish pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting stitches combined to create visual interest:

• Knit stitches (k) and purl stitches (p) form the base fabric and create texture contrast
• Yarn overs (yo) create decorative eyelet holes and serve as increase stitches
• Purl three together (p3tog) decreases multiple stitches simultaneously for shaping
• Leaf Pattern combines these stitches in a charted repeat to produce a leaflike motif across the hat

The stitch pattern is worked in repeats, allowing the leaf design to circle around the hat evenly.

Materials and Gauge

The Pixieish pattern calls for 220 Superwash Merino by Cascade Yarns, a superwash-treated 100% merino wool yarn. One skein provides 220 yards of yardage, sufficient to complete any of the four sizes. The yarn weight is listed as DK to worsted weight, offering versatility in fiber choice while maintaining the intended fabric characteristics. The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in the Leaf Pattern using US7 (4.5mm) needles, which is a standard gauge for DK-weight yarns. Knitters will need US7 (4.5mm) circular needles in 16-inch length for the main body and US7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles for decreasing at the crown. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Pattern Format

Pixieish is provided as a downloadable PDF document, making it accessible for immediate use after purchase. The pattern includes a stitch abbreviation key and charted instructions for the Leaf Pattern, enabling knitters to visualize the design as they work.