I Actually Did Write It Up

Here's the pixie-type bonnet pattern; for some reason I kept track of everything I did. The pattern written out looks much more involved than it ought to: it's just seed stitch, then stockinette, then a decorative row if you want, then stockinette, then some shaping, then sew it up (mattress stitch for the shaped part, then fake grafting for the rest), and that's pretty much it. While I very well might be off by a row or a stitch here or there, it shouldn't matter too much. I mean, it's for kids, and what do they know? For the larger size, I cast on 97, and added a few rows before the shaping and two at the end of the shaping. In any case, be warned that all measurements and numbers are, shall we say, approximate. [See edit (9/10/06) in green below—I can't even count. For seed stitch, k1, p1 all the way across (I think I p1, k1'd), then on the way back you purl the knits and knit the purls.]

I didn’t know how to do cable CO correctly when I did the bobble things, but the right way will probably work too. What I did is this—let’s call it a modified cable CO: insert right needle into next st as if to k, but don’t slip the st off the needle; insert left needle front to back and right to left into new st, then slide it off the right needle, creating a new st on the left needle. To make the next modified cable CO st, insert right needle into new st as if to k (i.e., not between the two sts, as for real cable CO), and proceed as above.


SIZE
Let's say 3–6 months or so; the larger size would be about 6–12 months

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Top to bottom along brim: 7.5 inches
Front of brim to nape of neck along bottom edge: 4 inches

MATERIALS
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino [55% merino wool, 33% microfiber, 12% cashmere; 125m per 50g skein]; 2 skeins
1 set US #3/3.25mm straight needles
tapestry needle

GAUGE
28 sts/34 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

PATTERN
CO 92 sts.
Work in seed st until work measures 1.75 inches from CO edge.
Next row [RS]: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts; k to last 3 sts; work in seed st as set to end.
Next row [WS]: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts; p to last 3 sts; work in seed st as set to end.
Rep last 2 rows until work measures 3.75 inches.
Rep last 2 rows 1 time.
Next row [RS]: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts, k3; * CO4 using modified cable cast-on method, BO4, k5; rep from * to last 6 sts; k3, work in seed st as set to end.
Next row [WS]: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts; p to last 3 sts; work in seed st as set to end.
Next row: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts; k to last 3 sts; work in seed st as set to end.
Next row: Work in seed st as set for 3 sts; p to last 3 sts; work in seed st as set to end.
Rep last 2 rows 6times.
Begin shaping:
Next row: K1, [sl1, k1, psso], k to last 3 sts; k2tog, k1.
Next row: P.
Rep last 2 rows 2 times.
Next row: K1, [sl1, k1, psso] 2 times, k to last 5 sts; [k2tog] 2 times, k1.
Next row: P.
Rep last 2 rows 2 times.
Next row: K1, [sl1, k1, psso] 3 times, k to last 7 sts; [k2tog] 3 times, k1.
Next row: P.
BO.

Buttonhole Flap
Pick up and k 13 sts along bottom of one side of hat, between end of seed-st brim and bobble row. Work in seed st until flap measures 1.25 inches.
Next row [RS]: Work in seed st as set for 5 sts; BO 3; work in seed st as set to end.
Next row [WS]: Work in seed st as set for 5 sts; CO 3 using (real) cable CO method; work in seed st as set to end.
Work 2 more rows in seed st.
BO in pattern.

Tassel
Cut about 35 lengths of yarn about 7 inches long and lay them flat in a pile. With a 12-inch length of MC, tie the bunch of yarn in the center. Fold in half and wrap one end of the yarn tightly several times around the bundle about 3/4 inch from the top. Thread the end onto a tapestry needle and secure it by passing it down through the center of the tassel.

FINISHING
Fold work in half. Sew back seam starting at beginning of shaping and ending at the point at the back of the crown.

Sew the tassel to the point of the hat.

Sew 3/4-inch or slightly larger button to bottom of hat opposite buttonhole flap.

Weave in ends.