Yes, as some of you have asked. I did get a spinning wheel for my birthday. An early gift from my hubby (my birthday is not until the end of the month). If you are curious about which wheel and why… IÂ got a Majacraft Pioneer. I had a chance to try Maple’s Majacraft Suzie Pro and it was just heavenly. So smooth, so sturdy, so natural feeling. The Pioneer is the entry level wheel for Majacraft but can use almost all of the accessories and should be able to do everything I want (it comes with a great range of ratios). I also love it’s simple lines and light finish that just blends in with my bamboo floors. It looks perfectly at home in my family room (fyi… Pioneer has been recently updated with honey finish instead of the cream wash). It is not fussy and very easy to use. I’m very happy with my choice… although Fairy is still a bit bummed that IÂ didn’t get the Ladybug.
I have spun every bit of fiber I’ve been able to get my hands on in the last week or so since IÂ got my wheel. I am enthralled with the whole process. My first few skeins were fairly bulky and a bit uneven… but beautiful just the same. IÂ needed a project to showcase these special skeins.
I pulled out some large needles and just started playing with the yarn. This is what I ended up with… a fun Pointed Pixie (or Gnome) Hat.
Gnome Hat Knitting Pattern Materials
Super Bulky Yarn (5wpi) or two strands of yarn held together to get the guage (not exactly sure on length… maybe 50-70 yards). Using the super bulky yarn gave the hat a sturdy structure and it really stands up and keeps it’s shape well.
Set of 5 Size 13 DPNs (opt circular… switch to DPNs when it gets too small)
Gnome Hat Knitting Pattern Info
Gauge is huge… 5 stitches in stockinette = 2 inches
Sizes Child Small, Med, Large (if you need to adjust the sizing more, use multiples of 4 and keep in mind that with a gauge this large a little change makes a big difference).
Shown in size Med… both girls modeling the same hat. I think Fairy won ownership of this one.
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Gnome Hat Knitting Pattern Directions
CO 40, (44, 48)
Using 4 needles, place 10, (11, 12) sts on each needle. Knit with the 5th needle… or place markers every 10 (11, 12) sts.
Join in the round, careful not to twist. Work in stockinette stitch.
This hat has a rolled edge brim.
Knit to 4.75, (5.25, 6) inches from edge (you might want a bit more if your edge is rolling a lot).
Next row decrease at both ends of each needle (or before and after each marker) by knitting 2 together (ie K2tog, K 6, K2tog for the small). You will decrease 8 sts ending up with 32, (36, 40) sts left.
Knit 6 rows.
Decrease again at both ends of each needle by K2tog. You will have 24, (28, 32) sts left.
Knit 5 rows.
Decrease again at both ends of each needle by K2tog. You will have 16, (20, 24) sts left.
Knit 4 rows.
Decrease again at both ends of each needle by K2tog. You will have 8, (12, 16) sts left.
Knit 3 rows.
K2tog across the row. You will have 4, (6, 8) sts left.
Small and Med Knit 2 rows, cut yarn, pull through the stitches and tie off. Weave in ends.
Large knit 2 rows, K2tog again, Knit 1 row, cut yarn, pull through the stitches and tie off. Weave in ends.
Michelle, I’m so happy that you got your wheel. Hard to believe that you are a new spinner. Your yarn is beautiful – and the hat is darling.
Thanks again Maple. It was great getting a chance to try your wheel. Majacraft wasn’t orginally on my list and I’m in love with it now.
This hat is amazeballs… Can i just check though the sizing for small. Med , large? I am looking for a hat for baby, toddler, child, adult. Just ordered a spinner the other day to ball up yarn too….
Can you see me, here in southwestern VA? Then you see me jumping up and down, drooling all over my computer, wanting to ditch today’s homeschool bit and try spinning again with my Kromski Prelude….only worked it three times and none of it looked that great (the handspun is in my rav folder if you wanted to see it…it’s nothing like yours!!!!)
LOL… hehe it is hard sometimes to get through school when my projects are just sitting there staring at me. What’s your rav name… I’ld love to take a peak at your yarns the next time I’m on.
Such beautyful yarns. I wish I could get mine so even. I always seem to have too much spin in it. They twist and twirl. A nice project to showcase this beatyful yarns, indeed.
What a great gift- definitely one that keeps on giving. That yarn is STUNNING! I love it so, so much and the hat is so beautiful! I’ll be linking.
Ah, so glad to see this post! I am going to be looking at and trying wheels at Rhinebeck next weekend, and this one is on my list. I am hoping someone has one there available to try out. I can’t wait to start spinning!
I swung by your blog Annie… have fun at the fiber festival. I’m sure you will have fun being able to spend some time there alone. Enjoy your classes and have fun picking a wheel.
BTW… I felt pretty silly the first time I sat down at a wheel. There is so much to think about… ack, too much twist in the roving, I can’t draft, the wheel is turning the wrong way… lol. Take a sense of humor with you 😉
This is hands down the cutest little hat i have ever seen! I wish I were ten! I want one so much!
Enjoy spinning bulky yarn ! I have been spinning for about 20 years and now its so hard to do a bulky yarn. You get in the habit of spinning fine over time and then its hard to make even a worsted weight. I love the colors in that roving. Just beautiful and you did a wonderful job. The hat is so cute too
I can see that happening. It is definitely easier to keep the yarn nice and even at a thinner gauge. After those first couple skeins I seem to be working at a DK weight.
thanks for the fun, whimsical pattern! i like how it knits up quickly, too.
[…] Pointed Pixie or Gnome Hat […]
Thank you for the pattern ! so lovely !
just recently found this pattern and did the med for a great-granddaughter who is 4. It was large enough for me so it went to a granddaughter and a small for the great. I did 1 using 36 st and it will fit a baby have 3 more to do and will have for all the waitresses babies where we have breakfast. Great pattern thank you
Love this hat! Already made four for Christmas gifts. I would like to make an adult size hat. Any ideas on how to convert this pattern for that purpose?
Can you tell me what brand of spinning wheel that is? Or could you provide more pictures? It is very interesting, I would love information on it.
Hi, just wondering – when you say size 13 needles do you mean 8mm?? Thanks!! Emily
Hi Emily,
On conversion charts, US 13 equals 9mm.
Hi! I wanted to get a little more clarification on the sizes. I’m knitting these for my 2 1/2 year old grandson and my almost 5 year old grandson. With their little heads being average for children that age, would that be a size small and medium, respectively?
Thanks!
I would probably make a small and a medium.