Preemie Hats

I'm always on the lookout for ways to give back with my crocheting. So when I saw that Warm Up America is teaming up with UCSF's East Africa Preterm Birth Initiative to run a Tiny Hats for Tiny Babies campaign, I knew I had to participate. 

If you'd like to participate, you can find more information about the Tiny Hats campaign here. Essentially, the campaign is aiming to collect 1,117 preemie hats by World Prematurity Day (November 17th). These hats will then be delivered to newborn health facilities in Africa where they will help keep premature infants warm. This is a cause that's near and dear to my heart; both of my boys were born prematurely and we spent a lot of time in the NICU, surrounded by other precious preemies. Preemies need extra help with their temperature regulation, and helping to keep them warm with a cozy hat can make a huge difference. So in addition to making and donating hats, I wanted to design a couple of simple, free patterns for preemie beanies. 

Warm Up America has provided lots of patterns for both knit and crochet versions that you can find on their site (along with project guidelines, which you should definitely check out if you want to participate). These are just a couple more options to choose from. I made my hats using light (3) weight baby yarn, since it's extra soft and washes well. Specifically, I used Red Heart Anne Geddes Baby in Robin and Lion Brand Ice Cream in Sprinkles. The hats, as written, are designed to be approximately 10" in circumference. 

Simple Preemie Cap
Materials:

• Less than 1 skein of light (3) weight baby yarn
• Size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Stitch Glossary:
st(s) = stitch(es)
ss = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
​dc = double crochet
dc inc = double crochet increase (work 2 dc in the same st)
fpdc = front post double crochet
Gauge:
8 dc = 2" wide
5 rows = 2" tall

Round 1: Make a magic circle and ch 2; work 12 dc into the circle and pull taut to close, ss to first dc to join (12)
Round 2: ch 2, dc inc around, ss to join (24)
Round 3: ch 2, [dc inc, dc in the next st] around, ss to join (36)
Round 4: ch 2, dc around, ss to join (36)
Round 5: ch 2, [dc inc, dc in the next 17 sts] twice, ss to join (38)
Rounds 6-8: ch 2, dc around, ss to join (38)
Round 9: ch 1, [sc in the first st, fpdc in the next st] around, ss to join (38)
Round 10: ch 1, sc around, ss to join (38)
Round 11: ch 1, [sc in the first st, fpdc in the next st] around, ss to join (38)
Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Preemie Puff Stitch Beanie
Materials:

• Less than 1 skein of light (3) weight baby yarn
• Size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Stitch Glossary:
st(s) = stitch(es)
ss = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
pf = puff stitch (see note below)
pf inc = puff increase (work 2 puff stitches in the same st)
Gauge:
8 dc = 2" wide
5 rows = 2" tall

Note: To make the puff stitch, yarn over, insert the hook into the st and pull up a loop, [yarn over, insert the hook into the same st and pull up a loop] 3 more times, yarn over and pull through all 9 loops, ch 1
Each puff stitch is worked in the space between the puff stitches from the previous round

Round 1: Make a magic circle and work 6 pf into the circle; pull taut to close and ss to the top of the first pf to join (6 pf)
Round 2:  ch 1, pf inc around, ss to join (12 pf)
Round 3:  ch 1, pf around, ss to join (12 pf)
Round 4: ch 1, [pf inc, pf in the next space] around, ss to join (18 pf)
Round 5: ch 1, pf around, ss to join (18 pf)
Round 6: ch 1, [pf inc, pf in the next 5 spaces] around, ss to join (21 pf)
Rounds 7-11: ch 1, pf around, ss to join (21 pf)
Round 12: ch 1, [sc in the top of the pf from the previous round, sc in the space between the pf] around, ss to join (42 sc)
Round 13: ch 1, sc around, ss to join (42 sc)
​Fasten off and weave in ends. 

I hope that you enjoy these cute little preemie hats and that you can find a good way to give back with them, whether by donating to a hospital, donating to the Tiny Hats campaign, or making a cap for a preemie you know. The hats are small, but can be a big gesture of love. If you have any questions about the hat, you can reach me in the comments section below or on social media. Happy hooking! 

​***You're welcome to do whatever you'd like to with finished products made from these patterns but if you do sell them, I ask that you link back to my page. You may not copy these patterns, repost them anywhere (either altered or in their original forms), or claim them as your own. You may not use any photos on this site for your own use without permission. ***