
This is my first year participating in the 12 Days of Christmas NICU Hat Challenge, and I am so honored to be a part of such an awesome and inspiring project! The challenge for the designers was to come up with a preemie hat pattern that relied on texture or color change for originality. (NICU babies, and hospital babies in general, are not allowed to have any kind of embellishment on their hats due to the potential for choking).
(By the way, if you want to join this awesome challenge starting November 20, 2014, either follow me on Facebook or sign up for my email list (under the main menu). When the challenge begins, you’ll know about it!)
As I started thinking about how to make my hat, I did quite a bit of reading on NICU hats. I learned that NICU wards go through hats like crazy. In an environment where even the mildest germs can make a tiny newborn take a turn for the worse, any hat that falls off a baby’s head and onto the floor cannot be put back on. So one little baby can go through multiple hats in a day. Doesn’t that put it in perspective for you? It does for me! NICU wards need these donations.
Another thing to keep in mind as you get ready to make preemie hats is that your yarn needs to be super soft. This isn’t the time to use Super Saver yarn. I made my hats with Bernat Satin, which is comparable in weight and feel to Caron Simply Soft. (Actually, the coral hat in the photos is Simply Soft.) I prefer Bernat Satin, but they both worked well for this project.
I found a chart online that showed the different hat sizes needed for the various weights of premature babies. I was only going to choose one to make a pattern for, but it went so quick that I decided to go ahead and make up all 4 sizes. So, below you’ll find patterns for 1-2 lbs, 2-3.5 lbs, 3.5-5 lbs, and 5-6 lbs.
I named my pattern after my niece, Olivia, who spent a few days in the NICU herself due to water on her lungs, low oxygen levels, anemia, and a few other issues. (That’s her in the photo, modeling a big-girl version of this pattern.) I remember visiting the day after she was born and seeing the exhaustion and fear in my sister’s eyes. Olivia wasn’t in a life-threatening situation, but even that (relatively) short stay in NICU was enough to completely overwhelm that new mommy, who had a husband in the middle of nursing school finals and a toddler son who needed her at home. It made me realize that every single family in the NICU has a story; from the babies who only stay a few days, to the tiniest newborns who fight for their lives for months or more, each new mommy and daddy goes through an emotional struggle that I know cannot even be imagined by those of us who have not experienced it.
I hope that every single hat that is made during this challenge will be a small blessing to the family whose little one wears it. (Even if it’s only for 5 minutes before it falls on the floor!)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Quick note: One of my wonderful readers mentioned that her local hospital does not use homemade hats on the smallest babies. It’s probably a good idea to contact the hospital you’re going to donate to, and find out if they have any special policies as well!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
OLIVIA’S PREEMIE HAT
Skill Level: Easy
Finished Sizes: Listed on individual patterns
Gauge: The first 3 rounds of the sizes worked with an H hook should measure 2.5” across. The first 3 rounds of the sizes worked with an I hook should measure 2.75” across.
Stitches Used: Magic Circle, SC, HDC, DC, Sl St
Yarn: <1oz (per hat) of your favorite soft worsted weight yarn. (I used Bernat Satin and Caron Simply Soft.)
Hooks: Sizes H (5.0mm) or I (5.50mm) depending on which size you are making.
Notions: Yarn needle and stitch marker
Notes:
Pattern is written in American standard terms.
Pattern is worked in a seamless round. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row.
– – – – – – –
SIZE 1-2 LBS
(4” width when laid flat)
Hook Size: H (5.0mm)
Begin with a Magic Circle.
Row 1: Ch1. 10 HDC in Magic Circle. (10)
Row 2: 2 HDC in each St around. (20)
Row 3: (2 HDC in next St, HDC in next) around. (30)
Row 4: Sk 1st St. (SC+DC) in next. Place your stitch marker in the SC to mark beginning of the row. (Sk next St; SC+DC in next) around, 13 times. Leave the last St empty.
Row 5: (SC+DC in next St, Sk next St) around.
Rows 6-8: Repeat Row 5.
Rows 9-11: SC around.
Slip stitch into the first stitch of the previous row, fasten off and weave in ends.
– – – – – – –
SIZE 2-3.5 LBS
(4.5” width when laid flat)
Hook Size: I (5.5mm)
**Follow instructions for Size 1-2 lbs pattern, using an I hook instead of an H hook.**
– – – – – – –
SIZE 3.5-5 LBS
(5” width when laid flat)
Hook Size: H (5.0mm)
Begin with a Magic Circle.
Row 1: Ch1. 10 HDC in Magic Circle. (10)
Row 2: 2 HDC in each St around. (20)
Row 3: (2 HDC in next St, HDC in next) around. (30)
Row 4: (2 HDC in next St, HDC in next 5 Sts) around. (35)
Row 5: Sk 1st St. (SC+DC in next St, Sk next St) around.
Row 6: (SC+DC in next St, Sk next St) around.
Rows 7-9: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 10-12: SC around.
Slip stitch into the first stitch of the previous row, fasten off and weave in ends.
– – – – – – –
SIZE 5-6 LBS
(5.5” width when laid flat)
Hook Size: I (5.5mm)
Begin with a Magic Circle.
Row 1: Ch1. 10 HDC in Magic Circle. (10)
Row 2: 2 HDC in each St around. (20)
Row 3: (2 HDC in next St, HDC in next) around. (30)
Row 4: (2 HDC in next St, HDC in next 2 Sts) around. (40)
Row 5: Sk 1st St. (SC+DC) in next. Place your stitch marker in the SC to mark beginning of the row. (Sk next St; SC+DC in next) around, 19 times. Leave the last St empty.
Row 6: (SC+DC in next St; Sk next St) around.
Rows 7-9: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 10-13: SC around.
Slip stitch into the first stitch of the previous row, fasten off and weave in ends.
Hi there. New crocheter here. My premee hat of 3.5 – 5 lbs measures 6 1/14 across in width. It should be 5. What can I do to fix that?
Thank you. Priscilla H.
I love this little hat! I don’t see this pattern available with my all access pass. Is it possible to get the PDF? Also, please let me know how to adjust the pattern for a larger baby. Thanks, Sharon
We recently had a premie in our family who was in the NICU for nearly 4 weeks. He was really tiny. He is home and doing great at this time. He still has days and nights confused, but I’m sure it was from the lights being on in the NICU.
Thanks for sharing this pattern. I was looking for premie hats to donate to little hats, big hearts. The program is part of the American Heart Association, the give the hats out, to local hospital during the month of February. which is American Heart Month.
I love, love love this pattern. It’s well written and works up very quickly.
Again, thanks for sharing.
Would like to join the challenge.
Hi Darlene, this challenge took place in 2014 🙂
I love your pattern. I’m using it for the NICU unit at Mt View Hospital, Las Vegas, NV.
So your cap, named after your granddaughter, is still making babies warm and comfy and parents happy.
Sometimes I add embellishments to the caps.
Just an f.y.i. Our hospital does not want any embellishments for the infants hats.
Love the pattern but I’m a little confused about the width of the hat. Does that mean the width at the bottom from the left to the right when the hat is complete? My measurement is 3.5 inches for the 1-2 pound hat so I think my stitches are too tight, just want to make sure I am understanding what the width means. Thanks!
That’s correct – when you lay the hat flat, the measurement at the bottom from left to right is what I’m referring to. You can probably just go up a hook size and be ok 🙂
Sitting with my daughter trying to keep her 32.5 week premie inside. Crocheting nicu hats for grandbaby to come and unit mates. Thanks for your site!! Good luck on your upcoming arrival.
Carol Rubin
I also crochet NICU hats for my local hospital where my grandsons were born. The hospital sends home newborns with a hat and I thought it would be great to give back to the NICU unit. Thanks for sharing this pattern♥