This is truly an all-in-one kids’ hat. After years of experimentation, this helmet has become an essential piece of armor in our fall and winter arsenal. Knit densely with a cloud-soft yarn, it will have any kid ready to face the chilliest adventures.

The design is based on a traditional pixie cap, popular throughout the United States and Europe for much of the last century. These are adorable, but anyone who’s knit one will tell you that they are impossible to keep on kids’ heads! Our version is easy to put on, and hard for exploring hands to slide off. A built-in cowl keeps necks and chins warm, while a tall brim protects ears and foreheads from snow and wind.

This is also just a really fun knit - with a fascinating garter ridge pattern, disappearing seams (really!), and ribbing that invisibly increases as you go.

Happy knitting!

Sizes

• 0-3 months: up to 15.5” (39cm) head circumference
• 3-12 months: up to 17” (44cm) head circumference
• 12-24 months: up to 19” (48cm) head circumference
• 2-4 years: up to 21” (53cm) head circumference
• 4-9 years: up to 22.5” (57cm) head circumference
• 9-18 years: up to 23.5” (60cm) head circumference

Materials
Malabrigo Worsted, shown in Bobby Blue
Approximately 160 (170, 180, 200, 220) yards. 146 (156, 165, 183, 201) meters.

Gauge
26 stitches/38 rows = 4” (10cm) in 2x2 rib, un-stretched, after washing and laying flat to dry
Note: The hat is so stretchy that the ribbing will smooth out small differences in gauge

Needles
US 4 (3.5mm) needles
US 4 (3.5mm) 16” (40cm) circular needles or DPNs
US 6 (4.0mm) needles for cast-on and bind off only

Tools
Small crochet hook (2.75mm recommended)
Tapestry needle for grafting and weaving in ends
Stitch markers
Pom-pom maker (optional)