Little Munchkin and Pixie Hat – P145

Little Munchkin and Pixie Hat – P145 by OGE Knitwear Designs

What is Being Made

The Little Munchkin and Pixie Hat pattern set includes a coordinating baby cardigan jacket and matching pixie hat, designed for infants and toddlers ranging from approximately 3 months to 24 months of age. The cardigan is a button-front jacket with long sleeves, available in four graduated sizes with finished chest measurements from 48 cm (19 in) to 60 cm (23½ in). The accompanying pixie hat features a classic pointed silhouette with depth measurements ranging from 14 cm to 18 cm depending on size.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to construct the garments. The cardigan is worked primarily from the bottom up, with the right front piece specifically noted as being worked from the bottom up following the neck shaping. The pattern incorporates increases and shaping techniques, including kf&b (knit front and back) increases, which are used to create graduated shaping throughout the jacket. Stitch markers are utilized to help track pattern repeats and construction sections, and a stitch holder is employed to manage stitches during assembly and neck finishing. The use of both straight needles and circular needles provides flexibility in construction method, allowing knitters to choose their preferred working style.

Stitches Used

The pattern is constructed using stockinette stitch (st st) as the primary stitch structure, which creates a smooth, classic fabric suitable for baby garments. The pattern also incorporates a textured stitch pattern worked across sections of the jacket, with specific gauge information provided for pattern work. Increases via kf&b (knit front and back) are used for shaping, and the pattern includes knit stitches (K) and reverse stockinette or patterned sections as indicated by the pattern instructions. The pixie hat and jacket both utilize these fundamental stitches to create their finished structure.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Little Munchkin and Pixie Hat pattern requires Double Knit (DK) or Light Worsted weight yarn, with a yardage of approximately 105 to 115 meters (115 yards) per 50-gram ball. Yarn quantities vary by size: the jacket requires 4 balls for sizes A and B (3–6 months), and 5 balls for sizes C and D (12–24 months), while the coordinating pixie hat requires 1 ball for all sizes. Knitting is worked on 3.75mm (US 5 / UK 9) needles, available in either extra-long straight needles or a 60cm (24-inch) circular needle, allowing knitters to select their preferred needle style. Additional notions include 6 buttons for the cardigan front closure and 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections. A stitch holder is required for managing stitches during construction.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies two gauge measurements to accommodate different stitch structures. For pattern work on 3.75mm needles using Double Knit or Light Worsted yarn, the gauge is 28 stitches × 30 rows = 10cm (4 inches). For stockinette stitch sections worked on the same 3.75mm needles, the gauge is 22 stitches × 30 rows = 10cm (4 inches). Achieving proper gauge is essential for the cardigan and hat to fit correctly across the specified size range.