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Lightning Fast NICU and Preemie Hats
By Jennifer Dickerson
These hats are knit with larger needles making them an extremely fast knitting project. If you plan to donate your hats, most hospitals require machine washable yarn so they can be washed and/or sterilized before being distributed to the babies.
Picture examples shown here are knit with worsted weight yarn, but feel free to experiment with other yarn weights or luxury yarns for gift giving.
This pattern includes two variations of the hat; one with a simple ribbed brim and one with a roll brim. Also included are instructions for a quick flower.
Materials:
- Small amounts of worsted weight yarn in bright cheerful colors.
- US 10.5 (6.5mm) straight needles (hat is knit flat, then seamed)
- Tapestry Needle
Sizing:
- 11”-12” circumference
Gauge:
- 14 Stitches and 19 Rows = 4 inches
Abbreviations:
- CO - Cast On (I used the long tail cast on and left an extra long tail for seaming up later.
- BO - Bind off (knitwise)
- KFB - Knit front and back of stitch (knittinghelp.com has an excellent video tutorial)
- K2tog – Knit two stitches together
Instructions:
Roll Brim Hat:
CO 40 sts (leave an extra long tail for seaming up later)
Work in stockinette until hat measures 6” from CO edge.
Decrease:
Row 1: K2, K2tog across row
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, K2tog across row
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2tog across row
Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back and weave in ends.
Ribbed Brim Hat:
CO 40 sts (leave an extra long tail for seaming up later)
Work 6 rows of K2 P2 ribbing
Switch to stockinette until hat measures 5” from CO edge.
Decrease:
Row 1: K2, K2tog across row
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, K2tog across row
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2tog across row
Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back and weave in ends.
Flower Appliqué:
Looks equally lovely for baby girls in a contrasting color or in same color as hat.
CO 5 sts.
Row 1: KFB each st (10 sts)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: KFB each st (20 sts)
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: KFB each st (40 sts)
BO and attach to hat.
© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only. In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages). Thank you!
Thank you for sharing..!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! Gotta keep those little heads warm! :-) Thanks too for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteGosh I love your stuff.. You are a great designer keep it up..I love doing hats for charity and these are just perfect! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, thank you so much!! I really love designing and have been enjoying t tremendously...thanks again!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pattern. Daughter is 35 1/2 weeks and is in labor. We may be needing one or two of these ourselves!
ReplyDeleteAnd if not, then the local hospital will have a couple of these on stand-by.
Thanks!
Glad you like it! I love this project because it it so fast, you could knit one in the waiting room!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to your daughter and the little one, I bet you are so excited!! Wishing them both a happy and healthy birth day!
PS The Baby Bunny Hat pattern on this site (link at the top of this page) is also sized for preemie and newborn, and is so cute for spring babies!
We purchase baby clothes at MyMiracleBaby.com, They are awesome, great quality! Great Services! They are giving $5 OFF your purchase of $30.00 more! with Coupon Code: SAVING05
ReplyDeletePreemie Baby Clothes
I just learned how to knit this Spring and so excited to try this NICU hat! I also have a charity and these hats will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much! I also added you to my Blog List - Love your blog! Yarn Hugs! Beth in VA
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! And thanks too for your kind words! Happy knitting!
ReplyDeletePS So wonderful to know you are helping the littlest ones stay warm and cozy!
I just came across your blog and love this pattern!! I am expecting a baby girl in December and want to have 1-2 of these ready before she arrives. I'm a beginner when it comes to knitting hats. Any chance you have this pattern using circular needles? That's what I do best with. I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
ReplyDeleteAfter casting on in the round, be sure not to twist and place a marker...
For the ribbed brim hat, work k2, p2 rib as instructed, then knit all rows until you come to the decrease...for the decrease part, follow as steps as instructed, except on rows 2 and 4, knit instead of purl.
For the rolled brim hat, knit all rows and on the decrease part, follow as instructed, except on rows 2 and 4, knit instead of purl.
Hope that helps and congratulations on your little one!
Just made one for my soon to be newborn due in feb. Live in Florida but those hospitals can be cold lol. This was only my second finished product and I love it. used size 7 US needles though cuz that is all I had not in use. but still turned out wonderful. Just hope it fits and he doesn't ending up having a reaction to the yarn shouldn't but ya never know.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky baby! I'm sure it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteIs this pattern for a newborn!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I need the pattern to make hats for premie bubs....
ReplyDeleteHi Judy! I get so excited when people knit for the littlest ones, let's keep those tiny heads warm!!!
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous...the pattern was written for preemies, but you can totally modify it for a newborn (I have before and it makes a lovely and quick new baby gift)Just make two simple changes:
ReplyDeleteCast on 48 sts (instead of 40)
Knit for 5.5 inches in stockinette (instead of 5 inches)
That's all...keep everything the same, this will give the little one a tiny bit more room.
Happy Knitting!
:-)
I would really really appreciate a crochet version for these preemie hats as I only crochet please and thank you Jean
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me, how do I know whether to end the stockinette on a knit row or a purl row before I start the decrease?
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie!
DeleteThe first row of the decrease is a knit row, so you would end your stockinette portion on a purl (wrong side) row.
Hi there! First off, I love the pattern. Second, I made another hat with the same amount of stitches and with the same size needles as this pattern. It was supposed to be a preemie size, but it fits my teacher's five month old son. I want to make sure that this hat fits its intended wearer. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteThe hat is pretty stretchy, I know a few babies I have made this for that wore the hat a a tiny baby and them went on to wear the hat for the next few months. How did your gauge work out? :)
DeleteDo you have any different flower patterns
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but I will be getting some up soon!
DeleteIm a beginner knitter but make shoes hats and hoodies for Sleeping Angels N.I we knit for hospitals to provide clothes for still born babies. Id love to find some easy dress patterns and maybe little waistcoats. The flowers are adorable x
ReplyDelete