Knitting for the NICU

Updated: Free Pretty in Pink Princess Preemie Hat Pattern

Pretty in Pink Princess Preemie Hat has now been re-written, with faster, easier to follow directions, more detailed instructions, and a no-special-equipment Pom pom photo/written tutorial.  Also available as a free Ravelry download..

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Updated Mickey and Minnie, the Famous Mice Patterns

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Updated Mickey and Minnie, the Famous Mice Patterns

As part of my New Year's Resolutions, I'm organizing, updating, and posting new free patterns at least once a week.  Both Mickey and Minnie patterns have been updated here on the blog:

Mickey, the Famous Mouse

Minnie, the Famous Mouse

and are also both available as free downloads on my Ravelry page (links on the individual blog pattern pages).

Great for anytime, they're particularly popular hats in NICUs during both Valentine's Day and Halloween.

Had to add this pic of my niece, Myia, in her Minnie Hat:

Ravelry Pattern Dowload: Floppy-Eared Bunny Baby thru Toddler Hat and Mitts

 

Floppy-eared Bunny hat with coordinating thumbless mitts. Five sizes in medium preemie (3-5lbs) thru toddlers (1-3 years). Less than one skein main color yarn for preemie/newborn size; two skeins for larger sizes. Knitted using any light worsted weight easy care yarn for delicate machine wash and dry or hand wash and lay flat to dry. Facial details finished with sew-on eyes and/or hand-detailed fabric paint.
Great pattern for NICU, Newborns in Need, and Pediatric charity knitters.

Ravelry Download: Floppy-Eared Bunny

Etsy Download: Floppy Eared Bunny

  

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Easter: Free Little Chick Hat Pattern

Easter: Free Little Chick Hat Pattern

 

Baby Chick Hat

Size:  Med Preemie (Large preemie/Newborn, 6 months, 1 year)

Finished Measurements:  10" (12", 14", 16")

Abbreviations:

CO = cast onK2tog = knit two stitches together as if one, to decrease

 

Gauge:  In stockinette, 16 st x 24 rows = 4 inches square

 

Materials:

Size 8 (US) double pointed needles or needles sized to accomplish gauge

1/3 skein any worsted weight soft yarn in yellow (that fulfills gauge)

3-4 yards any worsted weight soft yarn in orange (beak)

Yarn needle

2 18mm googly eyes

 

Hat

With yellow yarn, and spaced over 3 to 4 needles, CO 40 (50, 55, 65)

Row 1:  Knit around, placing marker after last stitch of first row and before first stitch of second row.  Join to knit in the round.

Row 2:  Purl around

Row 3:  Knit around

Row 4:  Purl around

Repeat rows 3 and 4 two times more.

Body:

Knit all stitches in round until total length measures 3.5" (4.5, 5.5", 6")

End at the beginning of a new row.

Decrease:

Row 1: K2tog around.  For sizes with an odd number of stitches: K2tog to last stitch. Knit this stitch.    20 (25, 26, 33) stitches remain.

Row 2: K2tog around.  For sizes with an odd number of stitches: K2tog to last stitch. Knit this stitch.    10 (13, 13, 17) stitches remain.

Row 3: K2tog around.  For sizes with an odd number of stitches: K2tog to last stitch.  Knit this stitch.    5 (7, 7, 9) stitches remain.

Cut long tail, thread onto yarn needle, and draw tail through remainging stitches. Draw tight, secure.  Continuing with tail, make several loops, securing each with a slip knot into top of hat OR after weaving tail into underneath side of hat, tie a few 4" piece of yarn into top using a double knot (will not be looped) and trim to desired length.

Beak:

With orange yarn, and over two needles, CO 4 (4, 8, 8)

Hint:  Make sure you have a tail, after casting on, long enough to sew beak onto hat.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.  Place marker at end of first row and beginning of second row. Join to knit in round.

Row 2: Knit around.

Row 3: Knit around.  Sizes Med Preemie and Large Preemie/Newborn skip to row 6.

Row 4 and 5:  Knit around.

Row 6: K2tog around.  2 (2, 4, 4) stitches remain.

Row 7:  K2tog around.  1 (1, 2, 2) stitches remain.

Row 8: K2tog around.   -- (--, 1, 1) stitch remains.  Med preemie and Large preemie/newborn skip to Finishing.

Row 9:  K2tog

Finishing:  Cut long tail, thread onto yarn needle, and draw through remaining stitch.  Draw tight and secure, weaving end into inside of beak.  Using original cast on tail,  sew beak onto hat,  sew googly eyes above beak using yarn (more secure than sewing thread),  and weave all loose threads into underneath sides of hat.

Note:  All beads, buttons, and the like can be choking hazards for babies so use caution and sew on with several wraps of yarn.  OR, paint on eyes using 3D fabric paint.

 

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