Slipped Stitch Pixie

Slipped Stitch Pixie by Fox and Folk

What is Being Made

The Slipped Stitch Pixie is a knitted baby hat designed by Fox and Folk, available in five infant sizes: newborn, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a fitted pixie-style hat with a distinctive textured appearance suitable for babies from birth through early toddlerhood.

Yarn and Materials

This project requires worsted weight yarn totaling approximately 180 yards (164 meters). The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction: US 8 (5mm) circular or straight needles for the main texture work, US 6 (4mm) circular or straight needles for the ribbed cuff, and US 6 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for shaping. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches per inch or 5½ stitches per 3 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the hat to fit correctly across the five size options. The newborn size begins with 67 cast-on stitches.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly pattern incorporates fundamental knitting techniques accessible to newer knitters. The construction begins with a ribbed cuff that provides stretch and a finished edge. The main body features a textured stitch pattern created through a combination of knit and purl stitches. Shaping techniques are employed to form the pixie silhouette, with bind-off decreases shaping the back of the hat.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

• Ribbing: The hat begins with K1, P1 ribbing worked over 4 rows on the smaller needles, creating an elastic cuff
• Stockinette Stitch: A texture setup row of purled stitches transitions the fabric before the main pattern begins
• Slipped Stitch Texture Pattern: The signature texture is created by alternating two rows: Row 1 (right side) works *K3, S1 (slip 1 stitch)* repeating to the last 3 stitches, then K3. All wrong-side rows work *K3, P1* repeating to the last 3 stitches, then K3. This two-row repeat continues until the piece measures 4 inches (10½ centimeters) from the cast-on edge
• Bind-Off Shaping: The back shaping begins with bind-off decreases worked over multiple rows to create the pixie point

Pattern Difficulty

Rated as a beginner level pattern, the Slipped Stitch Pixie introduces knitters to basic construction techniques including ribbing, simple stitch patterns, and basic shaping. The slipped stitch texture is straightforward to execute, making this an excellent project for developing foundational skills while creating a practical, wearable garment.