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:
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:
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. ***
17 Comments
Heartlee
12/11/2017 03:18:02 pm
Thank you for sharing this! I was looking up the Lion Brand Ice Cream in Sprinkles to see how it worked up to knit a hat for my niece and came across your post. I'm so glad to know about this charity and thank you for sharing this post with us. 💕 I'm a beginner knitter and love that I can do something special and give to a charity like this.
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Barbara Michalec
10/24/2018 10:13:45 pm
Do you know if the tiny hats can be dropped off at UCSF in Oakland or should they be sent directly to Warm Up America in Texas?
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Erin
10/25/2018 12:08:26 pm
Hi Barbara! On the official campaign website, it asks that hats be sent to Warm Up America. But if you're nearby UCSF, I would bet that they'd be willing to take them from you, since I'm pretty sure that's where all the hats from Warm Up America are going anyway. If I were you, I'd call or email the East Africa Pre-term Birth Initiative directly and ask if you can drop off hats there. Save on postage ;)
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Lucy Mae Gideon
1/9/2019 07:36:06 pm
row 9 ch1 (sc in the first st, fpdc in the next st) around, How do you do this sc above one post then dble crochet around next post the sc in top of nex dble crochet
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Erin
1/11/2019 10:06:04 pm
Hi Lucy,
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Erin
2/8/2019 03:42:52 pm
Hi Barb,
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Elese Minier
7/23/2020 04:11:13 pm
How do you make the rubbing on the bottom of the mint hat?
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Erin
7/24/2020 11:25:31 am
Hi Elese,
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Melissa
1/15/2021 08:14:51 pm
In the simple preemie hat rows 10 and 11, I did the sc in row 10, but how does the fpdc for row 11 work? Does the fpdc go around the sc crochet stich in row 10 or the fpdc go around the fpdc in row 9? I've tried it both ways and my rows don't look even. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
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Erin
1/26/2021 09:41:18 pm
Hi Melissa! The second fpdc should be worked around the posts of the first fpdc. That way they should line up nicely to make a neat ribbed look. I'm not sure why your rows would be uneven; my best guess is that it probably has something to do with where you're joining or starting the rows, but it's hard to say without seeing it in person. If it works better for you, you're welcome to substitute a [fpdc, bpdc] pattern for the ribbing instead. It won't be as flat on the inside of the hat, but it should be pretty easy to get it straight looking. Hopefully that helps! Let me know if you have other questions :)
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Tina
12/10/2021 01:01:34 am
Thank you for the pattern can you tell me the weight of the baby for these hats
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Chelsie
1/27/2022 02:43:16 am
Hi, I love your pattern it's such a cute little hat! I have a question does the ch. 2 count as stitch? Thank you 🙂
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mary
2/7/2022 04:44:48 pm
What is the magic circle?
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2/7/2022 04:49:59 pm
I want to crochet preemie hats. What is the magic circle? How many stitches?
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1/13/2025 08:36:05 pm
love all patterns and. hope I can make some thank you very much
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