• Cart
  • Sign In
  • Passholder Area

Yarn + Chai

By Rebecca Langford

  • Home
  • Find a Pattern
    • Written Patterns
    • Video Tutorials
  • All Access Pass
  • Shop
  • Blog
All Posts, Crochet Patterns

Olivia’s Preemie Hat

November 5, 2014

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links which help me cover the cost of publishing my blog. Should you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I will be given a small percentage of the sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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.

12 Days of Christmas NICU Hat Challenge: Olivia's Preemie Crochet Hat Pattern | Little Monkeys Crochet

12 Days of Christmas NICU Hat Challenge: Olivia's Preemie Crochet Hat Pattern | Little Monkeys CrochetI 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.

by yarnandchai 
77 Comments

About yarnandchai

View all posts by yarnandchai

Related Posts

  • Hyland Men’s Hat
  • Newborn Photography Prop Blanket
  • Sophia Slouch Hat
  • Little Girl’s Wildflower Purse

Copyright Notice

All pattern text and photos are ©Rebecca Langford and may not be copied for purposes of redistribution online or in print. If you wish to share a pattern, please provide recipient with a link to the pattern instead. If you wish to use one or more of my patterns in a round-up on your own blog, you may use one (1) photo per pattern. You may sell your finished products made from Yarn + Chai patterns; a link to https://yarnandchai.com in your online listings is appreciated. For all other uses, please contact me directly. Your adherence to these guidelines is appreciated and ensures that I can continue providing quality patterns for free.
previous post: Polar Bear Hat (6-12m)
next post: Free Printable: Handmade Chalkboard Gift Tags

Comments

  1. Maeghan says: December 19, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    Thank you so much for the pattern, I have had 3 NICU babies 2 spent 4 weeks and 1 spent 2 weeks. I have been wanting to give back and this is the perfect way!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says: November 26, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    How many single crochet stitches go in the magic circle? I’ve only used a 6 sc magic circle for an elephant I made, and I’m new to hats. Thanks for the help.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: November 27, 2016 at 8:58 pm

      This pattern uses HDCs in the magic circle, and the pattern tells you in Round 1 how many to make. So for instance in the 1-2 lb pattern it says:

      Row 1: Ch1. 10 HDC in Magic Circle. (10)

      That “10 HDC in Magic Circle” is how many you need to make.

      Reply
  3. Anna says: August 14, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    Thank you so much for this pattern! I am hoping to make some of these for the children’s hospital. I just have one question: what is the approximate length of the finished hat for all 4 sizes? or should I be okay as long as the hats come out the right width? Thank you =)

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: August 16, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Good question, I don’t know why I didn’t include that! This is the chart I used, so use the “hat height” column to help you. http://knitsycrochet.com/hat-sizing-chart/

      Reply
  4. Jennifer says: July 18, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    Hi- I knit hats for newborns mostly but can make them smaller if needed or in a specific color as well. I would love to help w/my hats. Please let me know where to bring/send them too.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: July 19, 2016 at 9:09 am

      Hi Jennifer, this hat was part of the 12 Days of Christmas NICU Hat Challenge, which is just a challenge to make preemie hats for your nearest NICU hospital. So you’d just need to call whichever one is closest to you to get their guidelines. Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Shirley Barber says: June 30, 2016 at 10:18 am

    I am having trouble following the Row 4 instructions in the 1-2 lb. pattern. Aren’t there more than 13 (SC+DC) spaces to crochet in? I must be doing something wrong but can’t figure out what it is. Thank you for your help!

    Shirley

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: July 12, 2016 at 9:44 am

      So sorry for the delayed reply! Round 4 tells you to Skip, SC+DC, then gives you the repeat instructions and tells you to do it 13 times, so that is 14 times total (covering 28 of 30 stitches). It then instructs you to leave the last stitch unworked (whereas if you followed the sequence you would have put another SC+DC in it). Sorry, I probably could have worded that better. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lorren says: April 28, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Thank you so much for this pattern, my daughter is expected to be preemie size as she is IUGR and this pattern is beautiful and easy to work up! Now I know she will have something that fits and keeps her head warm when she’s born!!

    Reply
  7. Kris Voigt says: January 13, 2016 at 12:52 am

    Thanks for your patterns. I knit and crochet for preemies and donate to local hospitals so am always looking for new, easy and fun patterns.

    Reply
  8. Donna Argent says: January 12, 2016 at 10:39 am

    I love the idea of using our crocheting skulls to pay it forward. Thank you for this pattern, I will be making some for our local hospital.

    Reply
  9. Kathi Hacker says: January 11, 2016 at 9:33 am

    This pattern has inspired me to join the challenge next year!

    Reply
  10. Beth Crook says: January 11, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Thank you for the pattern! I just made a ton of these for the Little Hats Big Hearts drive! We had 117 blessed at our school chapel service last friday before sending them off.

    Reply
  11. Nat says: October 8, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Hi Rebecca,

    These are wonderful ! I was just wondering do you slip stich at the end or each row or continue around ?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Bonnie Rubin says: September 28, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    How many preemie hats should I try to make, for my first attempt at crocheting preemie hats to donate to the local hospital?

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: September 30, 2015 at 9:50 am

      I think they’ll be grateful for any amount 🙂

      Reply
  13. Janna says: September 6, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    Thank you all so much for these donations. My twins spent months in a NICU as they were born 12 weeks early. They just turned 4 now and I work with their volunteer group to make hats for all of the preemies there. I still cherish the hats that were made for my babies.

    Reply
  14. Katherine says: August 19, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    Thank you so much for providing these patterns. My NICU baby came home with her little home made knit hat and I was so grateful. She started at 3.6lbs a month later she was home at 4.5lbs. I washed and used that one little hat for a few weeks after that. Even the store preemie hats were too large as her head was very small for quite some time. I had just learned crochet while on bed rest with my baby. I know my our NICU takes these and very tiny soft baby blankets too. I cannot wait to work some up to donate. Our hospital asks that we wash them in allergen free detergent and bring in zipped bags. They then send them through the NICU laundry then stock the closet.

    Reply
  15. Liz says: July 24, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Will you give instructions for the magic circle please?

    Reply
    • Rebecca says: July 24, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/how-to-crochet-a-magic-circle/

      Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave Your Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

I'm so glad you're here! I'm Rebecca, the designer behind Yarn + Chai, and I can teach you how to find the right combination of pattern, yarn and color to produce modern, wearable crochet.

Let’s Be Social

Never miss a pattern.

We'll email you so you don't miss out.

I value your privacy!

Search

  • Privacy Policy

Instagram

Instagram did not return a 200.

Follow Me @yarnandchai.design

Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • Coffee Cup Cozy
    Accessories, All Free Patterns, All Posts, Crochet Patterns, Miscellaneous
  • Mosaic Pumpkin
    All Free Patterns, All Posts, Crochet Patterns, Home Decor

Never Miss a Pattern.

We'll email you so you don't miss out.

Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios

Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in