Okay, I know that this is a VERY basic pattern, but I searched high and low or a good preemie pattern and came up with zilch! Every pattern I tried came out too small. I understand that preemies are teeny tiny, but the hat I made was too small for a 4lb14oz baby. So, here is a massively basic pattern for a preemie beanie. Here's to all those bitty babies born out there who just want head gear that fits!
Size: This hat is made for a 4-5lb baby. For a 2-3 lb baby remove Round 4 and 6.
Hook Size: G
Yarn: I used a basic worsted weight yarn. I don't tend to enjoy the baby yarn colors, so I like to make my patterns capable of using WW.
Round 1: Ch 4. 12 dc in first chain. Join to first dc. Ch 3 (this does not count as first dc)--12 dc
Round 2: 2 dc in same stitch and in each stitch around, join to first dc, ch3 (24 dc)
Round3: 2 dc in same stitch, 1 dc in next stitch, (2dc in next stitch, 1 dc in next stitch) around, join to first dc, ch 3--36dc
Round 4: 2 dc in same stitch, 1 dc in next 2 stitches (2 dc in next stitch, 1 dc in next 2 stitches) around, join to first dc, ch3 --45 dc
Round 5: dc in same stitch and in each stitch around, join to first dc, ch 3--45 dc
Round 6: repeat round 5
Round 7: dc in same stitch and in each stitch around, join to first dc, ch1--45 dc
Round 8: sc in same stitch and in each stitch around, join to first sc and finish off --45 sc
Embellishment: I made up a flower and added it to give a little extra "cuteness." I found this fabulous pattern at Action Hero. I use it for EVERYTHING!
This is my first time writing up a pattern and putting it out there for the world, so PLEASE let me know if something is not written correctly. I'd love to see any creations that might be made with this pattern, so if you use it please send a pic!
This is my first time writing up a pattern and putting it out there for the world, so PLEASE let me know if something is not written correctly. I'd love to see any creations that might be made with this pattern, so if you use it please send a pic!
Use this pattern for whatever you like, but please give me the credit. Happy crocheting!
This hat is featured at:
Very cute, Bets! I wish I was as talented as you! Have you ever crocheted any bows? I am super into bows lately, and I think in place of some of the flowers, bows could be adorable. Maybe someday...if there is a baby girl in my life...I can get her a little bow hat. :) Or...I'll just wear it.
ReplyDeleteI just found a pattern for a bow! Haha, funny you asked...I should get on that.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cute set. I love brown and pink
ReplyDeleteLove the blog!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love it! Too cute. Good job.
ReplyDeleteVery Cute!
ReplyDeleteAs always, love it! :)
ReplyDeleteSUper cute! I'm going to make a couple of these for my little girl to use on her preemie sized baby dolls. She loves to dress them up! Do you have a tutorial for the tiny little booties?
ReplyDeleteJust found this pattern. I wish I had it when my twins were in the NICU. I made my own pattern, but want to make hats to take back to the NICU for Christmas. Can I use this pattern for that?
ReplyDeleteso cute!! I agree with deb I would love the booties pattern they are adorable
ReplyDeleteSo cute.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute indeed. The color is so perfect and the flower really makes it more attractive. The pair of boots is the cutest ever. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern you said was too small how would your pattern work for a baby who was only say....1 pound? My sweet daughter was stillborn at 20 weeks and even the smallest hat was too big. I am going to start making hats to donate to the hospital (as when my daughter was born I was given the cutest clothes for her that were donated by someone that meant the world to us) for tiny little ones like my daughter.
ReplyDeleteFellow Anonymous: So, so sorry about your daughter. Here's a link that might help(?), it uses fruit to illustrate how big or small to make a baby hat: http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/Jeanaries/Hats.html (Note: I haven't actually made any from this link.)
ReplyDeleteMy own daughter was 2+ pounds & survived, and I am also starting to make NICU hats in honor of my friend's daughter who did not. However, I came across this blog post while scanning Ravelry for something else, because I can't help but click on patterns labeled Preemie...
Anyway, the "Level 3 NICU" hat pattern I've come up with so far is a variation on http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversible-strands-for-men-and-women-too using a thread weight & a size D hook, skipping the last increase row. What I made would still be too big for a pound even, but you could experiment with the yarn weight & hook size (there are different thread weights, and I'm sorry to say I'm not sure what this yarn was, being a hand-me-down ball of leftovers but in the most perfect pink). This method of changing the scale could be used for any hat pattern, I imagine.
It took me few tries to get the size I was going for on the Reversible Strands pattern, but since babies come in many sizes, I figure all my experiments will fit someone at the NICU even if it wasn't something that would have fit mine or my friend's daughter. I liked how the proportions were on the hats I did make– a hat with just a few crocheted rows might be quick, but those types looked strange & too chunky to me as mom of one of the small ones.
Ah, Fellow Anonymous, I've noticed now that the author of this blog has a new "Rosie's Cozies" endeavor since this post: http://thedaintydaisyblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/rosies-cozies-is-ready-for-action.html
ReplyDeleteSo you could try those. Very cute. I will note again that my preference during our NICU stay was strongly toward the knitted hats with very fine yarns, so my mission has been to do crochet hats (since that's what I do) just as fine because the typical crocheted ones felt too chunky & insulting in the disproportion (in the shock, not as if the volunteer intended insult, to be clear here). They weren't adorned as cute as these either, but I still recommend erring on the side of finer threads with more rows if there's not a set time constraint. Otherwise it's like us wearing a hat done up in yarn as thick as our fingers, does that make sense? Also something with a little give so they can fit as snug as knitted and not fall off constantly.
Super Cute! I was wondering if there were instructions for the booties? I am going to be doing a project for my church and would like to make some and give to the newborns at the hospital. Can I get the instructions?
ReplyDeleteAm I misunderstanding something somewhere? I am following your directions to a T, but in row 4 I am getting 48 dcs instead of your 45. It doesn't make sense to me as the pattern you describe makes an even number of stitches, not odd. By the time I get to row 8, the hat does not seem long enough either. Am I doing something wrong?
ReplyDeleteSame thing happened to me. I just went with the 48 instead.
DeleteSame thing is happening with me on round four. I've ripped out twice now going back and redoing it but its still coming out to 48 stitches.
DeleteSame here. I think it was simply a typo. 48 works fine and is pretty typical for a hat like this!
DeleteCan this pattern be made for a full term newborn? Basic or not it is adorable.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a decent preemie pattern for awhile now. I think this one fits the skill level I have. Thanks for offering it for free. I will be using it to donate to hospitals that deal with a lot of premature births.
ReplyDeleteHOW WOULD YOU ENLARGE THIS TO A NEWBORN SIZE?
ReplyDeleteUsing a larger hook would work. I used an H hook for a Newborn size. The flat circle should get to 4 inches across before you stop increasing rounds.
DeleteThank you for this pattern. I am making some beanies for the premmie babies at the hospital near us. This will be great. I also love the flower.
ReplyDeleteAre there any instructions for the booties? Very cute set
ReplyDeleteHello~ I've been admiring your work!
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to feature a few of your patterns on my website.
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Tracy Joyner
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How big is this hat finished? Is it, for example, half a hand-width or more? I'm doing this for a friend but I've never even seen a newborn, let alone a premature baby and I'm a bit all at sea.
ReplyDelete