Larger Preemie Hat Size

I had promised this pattern for awhile now, and had yet to deliver! Here is a slightly bigger version of a preemie size hat. I have made a few of these larger sized hats for Rosie's Cozies for some of those larger babies.


Hook: H (I also used an E hook for one of the hats and it still fit Rosie (1lb 7oz), so please feel free to use different hook sizes to vary the hat sizes)
Yarn: I used worsted weight, as well as other weighted yarns. It created different sizes, which I think is just fine for this project as babies are going to have varying head sizes.

Round 1: Chain 2. Make 10sc into first chain made. Join with sl st to first sc. (10sc)
Round 2: Chain 2 (this is not considered the first dc). 2dc into same stitch and in each stitch around. Join to first dc (20 dc)
Round 3: Chain 2. 1dc in same stitch, 2dc in next stitch, (1dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join to first dc. (30dc).
Round 4: Chain 2. 1dc in same stitch and in next 4 stitches, 2dc in next stitch, (dc in next 5 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join (35dc)
Round 5: Chain 2: 1dc in same stitch and each stitch around. Join (36dc)
Rounds 6-7: Repeat Round (if you plan on adding earflaps, skip Round 8)
Round 8: Option A: Chain 1. Sc in same stitch and each stitch around. Join. (30sc)
Option B (scalloped edge): Chain 1. Sc in same stitch, chain 2, (sc in next stitch, chain 2)around. Join. (30sc) (see hat below in white and blue to see this edge)

Clutch Review from Something Diane Made

I love the blogging community. I am continually amazed at the connections I make with people from all over, but also from those who shared my hometown! Diane from Something Diane Made is one of those friends in my bloggy/Internet world. Oddly enough, we went to high school together, but never really knew each other then. We reconnected in the world of blogging and social networking and have shared a love for crochet and crafting.

Recently Diane sent me one of her newest products, an adorable clutch purse. I was more than thrilled when I saw this fabulous purse! My first thought was that it would be the cutest and perfect sized purse for a pack of wipes and dipes. Am I in baby mode or what?!?! I then smartened up and told myself that this cute little bag was all mine and NOT to be used for baby items. I was keeping this one for myself. However, for those of you looking for a cute dipes/wipes case, this would be ideal!

Diane has tons of patterns and colors to choose from, as well as the option for a crocheted flower (obviously, this lady opted for anything crochet!). It is the perfect size for the essentials: lip gloss, wallet, cell phone, and keys. Perfect for a night out without dragging all of the junk I shove into my other purses because I am too lazy to clean them!

Diane is so sweet. She was the first person to give me a gift for Baby Thompson #2 and has donated some insanely cute hats to Rosie's Cozies! She is also so sweet that she is offering a pre-sale on these clutches on Facebook before listing them in Etsy.

From now until Wednesday you can purchase one (or 2,3,10...) of these for $20 and FREE SHIPPING! Don't you hate paying for shipping?!?! After Wednesday they will be listed in her Etsy shop for $24 and $2.50 shipping. So what are you waiting for? Get a headstart on that Christmas shopping!

Rosie's Cozies is Ready for Action!

Alrighty, I was a busy bee today running around town and making phone calls!  I wanted to make sure that before we started this project that I had all of my bases covered!  First, I got myself a P.O. Box.  No, I do not think that my readers are crazy stalkers ready to hunt me down.  I do, however, feel that there are crazy stalkers out there that I would rather not have find my home address if they happen to stumble upon my blog.

Next, I called Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.  I told the lovely woman on the phone what we were working on and she was was more than ecstatic.  She said that the hospital can use hats from micro-preemie size all the way up through adult size.  I am providing the preemie hat pattern I used for Rosie's hats, but it clearly sounds like hospitals in general need all sizes, so if  you feel so moved please make some hats for all ages.

I have also had a lot of people ask if they could donate money for yarn and things.  I do not need money for yarn (just ask my husband), as I have an insane stash of yarn and these hats take so little.  However, my sister spoke with Rosie's mom, Megan, who said that donating to the hospital would be a great avenue for these funds as there are some families who stay at the hospital while their babies are in the NICU.  Money could help support this program for those families.  I am posting a DONATE link on the side of my blog for anyone interested in donating to Rosie's Cozies, and I can be sure the money makes it to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.  Or, you can always send the check to them yourself as they can probably give you a receipt for tax purposes. 

For finished hats to be donated to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital as part of Rosie's Cozies, please mail them to me at:

Rosie's Cozies
6026 Kalamazoo Ave SE #119
Kentwood, MI 49508

Okay, so without further ado.....that major basic beanie hat pattern I used for little Miss Rosie, as well as the add-ons to jazz the hats up.  I have not tested any of these patterns since I wrote them up, so please let me know if something is written wrong.

These patterns are not to be rewritten and sold elsewhere.  Please feel free to use them for personal use, for donated items, and items you would like to sell.

Hook: H  (I also used an E hook for one of the hats and it still fit Rosie (1lb 7oz), so please feel free to use different hook sizes to vary the hat sizes)
Yarn:  I used worsted weight, as well as other weighted yarns.  It created different sizes, which I think is just fine for this project as babies are going to have varying head sizes.

Round 1:  Chain 2.   Make 10sc into first chain made.  Join with sl st to first sc.  (10sc)
Round 2:  Chain 2 (this is not considered the first dc).  2dc into same stitch and in each stitch around.  Join to first dc (20 dc)
Round 3:  Chain 2.  1dc in same stitch, 2dc in next stitch, (1dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch) around.  Join to first dc. (30dc).
Round 4:  Chain 2:  1dc in same stitch and each stitch around.  Join (30dc)
Rounds 5-7: Repeat Round 4. (if you plan on adding earflaps, skip Round 8)
Round 8: Option A: Chain 1.  Sc in same stitch and each stitch around.  Join. (30sc) 
                   Option B (scalloped edge):  Chain 1.  Sc in same stitch, chain 2, (sc in next stitch, chain 2)around.  Join. (30sc) (see hat below in white and blue to see this edge)

To add earflaps:
Row 1:  Sl st in next 5sc to left of joining seam.  Chain 2.  Dc in same stitch and in next 5 stitches. (5dc)
Row 2:  Chain 2. Turn.   Decrease dc over same stitch and next stitch, 1dc in next stitch, decrease dc over next 2 stitches (3dc)
Row 3:  Chain 2.  Turn.  Decrease dc over same stitch and next stitch.  1dc in last stitch. (2dc)
Row 4:  Chain 2.  Turn.  Decrease dc over same stitch and next stitch.  Finish off (1dc)

Next Earflap:
Sl st in 11sc to the left of first earflap made.  Chain 2.  Dc in same stitch and in next 5 stitches (5dc)
Repeat Rows 2-4.
Sc evenly around bottom of hat edge and earflaps.

FLOWERS:

Flower A:

Chain 4.  Join to make a circle.

Chain 10.  Slst into circle.  Continue this multiple times until you have a ball of petals.  Finish off.

Flower B:

Follow this link for the flower.

Flower C:

This can be found on Ravelry here.

Flower D:

I used a version of this I think.  You can find it here.

Monkey Ears:

Round 1: Chain 2.  6sc in first chain.  Do not join. Continue into next Round.

Round 2:  2sc in each sc (12sc)  Do not join.

Round 3: 1sc in each stitch around.  Finish.  Leave a long tail so you can sew it to the side of the hat.

To make inner ears I just did Round 1 and finished it off and then glued it to the outside ear.

Owl Hat:

Eyes (make 2):
Round 1:With Color A, Chain 2.  7sc in first chain.  Join. (7sc)
Round 2: With Color B, Chain 2.  2 dc in each stitch around.  Join. (14dc)
Round 3: Chain 1.  1 sc in each stitch around.  Join. Finish. (14sc)
I added eyebrows by making a short row of sc with a different color at the top of the eye.

Beak:
Row 1:  Chain 4.  Sc in second chain from hook and in each chain across (3sc)
Row 2:  Chain 1.  Turn.  Decrease sc across same stitch and next.  Sc in last stitch (2 sc)
Row 3.  Chain 1.  Turn.  Decrease sc  across same stitch an next.  Finish. (1sc)

Ears were tied to the top of the hat with 6 strands of yarn.

Let's be sure that we make boy hats, as well as girly hats.  You can make a basic beanie with some stripes to add a bit of pizazz, instead of the flower we add for the girly ones. 

I hope that I have posted enough to inspire and a pattern that is easy enough to follow!  I don't want to put a date for everything to be sent, as I would like this to be an on-going project, however there is a photographer that would love to take some pictures of the hats when we get them in.  I hope to be able to do this in the next month, so if you would like to see your hats in some pics, try to send them by August 15th.

I can't wait to see the hats that are created in honor of this little life gone too soon.

In Honor of Rosie

My last post I had mentioned a little baby who was born far too soon, Rosie. Rosie was born at 23 weeks at a tiny 1lb 7oz. Despite all of the prayers and people hoping for a miracle, God decided to take little Rosie home to be with Him.

I had made hats for Rosie while she was in the NICU. I have no idea what it is like to have an child fighting for his or her life. I cannot relate to the fear, the sadness, and utter desperation that Rosie's parents must have felt as they cherished every moment with their daughter. In essence, we are all pretty helpless in that situation. I did the only things I knew I could do: pray and crochet. I felt that if I could give this family just something to brighten their day, then it was better than nothing at all. I assume that most hospital hats aren't the cutest, so I was more than excited to try to make some adorable goodies for Rosie.

This alone has really inspired me to want to do more. I have asked Megan, Rosie's mom, if she was okay with me going ahead with this project as I want to make sure I am respecting their family first and foremost. Her response to my email was:

"Betsy, I started crying when I read this. I love this idea...Rose's hats were such a hit, and a spot of light for us during those horrible two weeks. What a beautiful gesture, I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me. I am completely honored. Thank you so much for the idea."

So, what is my idea? I hope to post the basic beanie pattern I used for Rosie's hats, in hopes that people will crochet up a few hats, add some flowers, a bow, etc, mail them to me, and I will donate them to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital here in Grand Rapids, MI in honor of Rosie. Ideally, I would love for this to be an on-going project that anyone can participate in whenever they are able. Also, if you would rather donate them to your own NICU, that is great too! I know there are bitty babies all over who need some hat love too.  I would love for school or church crocheting clubs to take this on as a project!

I am trying to come up with a good name for this project like "Rosie's Hats," or hopefully something more exciting (I am open to ideas!). At this point this is my initial idea, and I would love to hear feedback from those who would love to join this effort with me--or even those willing to learn to crochet to donate a few hats! I am also open to ideas from anyone who has done something similar. For now, I just want to give to those families who are fighting for their babies like Rosie's family and friends fought for her. A gesture of a donated hat may seem small, but I think to those families who are hurting it goes much further than we can imagine.

In the meantime, I asked for continued prayer for the DeVries family as they mourn the loss of Rosie. Jesus is holding their little girl until they get to see her again.

So, who is in?  I hope to write up my pattern in the next week or so, and post it soon.