I love the textural subtlety of gansey patterns, simple knit and purl stitches combined in an infinite array of beauty. Pixa combines classic garter ridges with chevrons, swirls, and X’s and O’s.

The Pixa hat is knit in the round using two different sizes of needles. Using smaller needles for the ribbing really makes it look neat and tidy, and it creates a snug and comfortable fit around the ears. The bigger needles then create the drape and looseness for the slouchy main part.

Because of the comfortably snug ribbed band and the looser fit of the “body” of the hat, this one-size-fits-all pattern really does fit many heads. And since kids’ heads are pretty close to adults’ in size, this hat will even work on most people ages 5 and up.

The top of the hat is shaped quite suddenly, which gives it a great drawn-in effect and makes it easy to wear. Slouchy hats usually require a little careful positioning, but this one needs just a quick shove down and to the back to drape just right.

The rate of decrease actually means that you don’t need a Magic Loop (or set of dpn’s) to shape the crown; you can finish the whole hat with just a 16” circular needle. It gets a little tight in the very last round, but then you’re done, so it doesn’t matter.

The stitches are the star of this pattern, so choose a solid or semi-solid yarn that will let them shine.