Knitting for the NICU

Free Pattern: Hello Kitty in NICU (Micro-Preemie thru Newborn)

 

  

HELLO KITTY MICRO PREEMIE THRU NEWBORN HAT

Copyright 2015 by Glenna Anderson Muse

 

Great for NICU knitters, this quick knit Hello Kitty hat is adorable anytime of year but is particularly popular in my NICU for Halloween.  Knitted in any soft, white, washable, non-animal fiber yarn on size 8 (US) needles in the round.  Finished with fabric paint facial details.  Sized for Micro-Preemie (< 2lbs), Medium Preemie (2.5-4 lbs), Large Preemie (4.5-5.5 lbs), and Newborn (6-7.5 lbs)

 

Finished Hat Circumference Measurements

(8", 10", 11", 12")

 

Abbreviations

BO = bind off

CO = cast on

 

Materials

Size 8 (US) double pointed needles or size needed to meet gauge

Optional: Size 10 (US) double pointed needles

Less than 1/2 skein of any soft, white, non-animal fiber, #4 Worsted Weight Yarn that meets gauge requirements.

Yarn needle

Fabric paint in pink and black

Commercially made pink bow or pink flower (children's hair bows/flowers work great for these)

 

Pattern Notes

Casting on with the larger sized needles creates a stretchier, more comfortable hat opening for babies, especially premature babies whose skin and heads are even more tender than term babies.

Sizes written as (Micro-Preemie, Medium Preemie, Large Preemie, Newborn)

 

Directions

With larger needles and white yarn, CO (34, 42, 46, 54)

Change to smaller needles.

Row 1:  Knit all stitches. Connect to knit in the round, placing marker between last stitch of first row and first stitch of second row.

Row 2:  Purl around row.

Row 3:  Knit around row.

Row 4:  Purl around row.

Row 5:  Knit around row.

Row 6:  Purl around row.

Knit all from this point on until total length measures  (3.5", 4.5", 5", 5.5").

BO.

Finishing: 

Sew top seam together, flat.

Measure 1" down from the top point each of side and measure in 1" from top point of each side.  Mark with stitch holders or other.  Seam across from measured point to measured point in straight diagonal line to form ears. (Makes a triangle shape for ears).

Weave in all loose ends. 

With fabric paint,  draw two black oval dot eyes, one pink oval dot mouth, and 2-3 black whisker lines on each side of mouth as show in photo.  The key to the Hello Kitty look is  that the eyes and mouth are only dots with the eyes and  whiskers spaced quite far apart but they have to be close enough together when the hat is worn to still be recognizable.

Attach bow/flower to left ear.

Say "Hello, Kitty!" 

_________________________________________________________

 

Thank you for using this pattern.  If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].  If you would like to be featured on my blog, please send pics of your hat or your  little person wearing his or her new knitting.

 

 

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:

Preemie Boy Hellboy Hat

 

A couple of years ago, I started knitting a hellboy hat for each Halloween at the insistence of RN Olivia who was a big fan. At the time, I hadn't even seen the movies but after her suggestion, I made a point of watching what I thought I wouldn't care for and was pleasantly surprised at how fun both of the movies are.  Let that be a lesson to all of us to try new things, right?  Or at least consider the cast: if Ron Perlman's in it, it's probably good!

What surprised me was how popular the Hellboy hat was, especially with the NICU Daddies.  I now try to always throw a few hats in just for the Daddies to love: Hellboy, Yoda, camouflage, etc.   NICU Daddies need knit hat love too, especially for their baby boys.

Hellboy Hat

Pattern by Glenna Anderson Muse

Pattern copyrighted 2013 by Glenna Anderson
Muse. Please do not place pattern on the web or make any use of pattern other than
for personal use or knitting for charity.

Level:  Intermediate
(increases, decreases, knitting in color blocks,  knitting in the round)

 Sizes:  Medium Preemie (3-5 lbs)

Materials

Small ball black worsted weight yarn

1/3 skein red worsted weight yarn

Size 8 straight needles

Size 8 double pointed needles

Yarn needle

Small amount of stuffing for each “horn”

 

Gauge:

16sts x 24 rows = 4”

 Pattern:

 With black yarn and straight needles, CO 26 sts

Knit x 3 rows

Purl

Knit

Purl

Knit all (26), (without turning work) using red yarn, CO 14
stitches  (40 sts total)

Continue to alternate Knit and Purl rows, and red and black
color blocks (be sure to cross red/black yarns in the middle snugly to keep a
taut seam between the two colors) until total length from back (black part)
measures 2.5”, ending with Purl row.

Cut 8” tail on black yarn, leaving red yarn connected. Will
be only using red from this point.

With next row, knit onto double pointed needles, using only
red yarn.  Place marker between last
stitch of that row and first stitch on next row.  Join into round.

Continue knitting all stitches, in the round, in red, until
piece measures 4”.

To decrease:

K2tog around row (20 sts)

K2tog around row (10 sts)

K2tog around row (5 sts)

Cut tail.  With yarn
needle, draw tail through remaining 5 stitches and draw tightly.  Secure and weave loose ends into underneath
side of hat.

 

Horns (Make 2)

With red yarn, CO  4
stitches over three needles. 

Place marker between last stitch CO and beginning of next
row.  Join in round.

1. K+1 in
        each stitch  (8 sts)
2. K+1 in
        each stitch  (16 sts)
3. K+1,
        K1, repeat around row (24 sts)
4. K+1, K2, repeat around row  (32 sts)
5. Purl
6. Knit
7. Knit
8. Knit
9. K2tog,
        K2, repeat around  (24 sts)
10. K2tog,
         K1, repeat around (16 sts)
11. K2tog
         around  (8 sts)

Cut tail.  With yarn
needle, draw tail through remaining 8 stitches and draw tightly.  Secure, use tails to sew onto “forehead” of
hat,  and weave loose ends into
underneath side of hat.

Can make matching booties from your favorite bootie pattern or from mine:  Bernat Precious Booties

 

 

 

Related articles

Halloween 2013: Knitting for the NICU

Easy Pumpkin Hat & Diaper Cover Free Kntited Preemie Pattern

Basic Knitted Diaper Cover Pattern

Family Knitting: Summer Romper & Headband for Hat Baby

Valentine's Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

These little lovelies are what our happy knitters having been stitching up for our NICU Velentine babies this year.  We have red Scoobys, the popular Angry Birds, Mickey & Minnie, and hand-made Velentine's cards made by a 6-year-old NICU graduate.

 These adorable 5" holographic heart Valentine's card with ribbons to hang them, were made by Jude, a NICU graduate from Fayetteville, Arkansas.  They have messages like "I love Mommy", "My Daddy rocks",  "I love my siblings", etc.  Huge hugs and Thank yous to Jude for sharing his heart and his talent with us, as well as hugs and thanks to Jude's Mom and Dad for sharing theirs as well with our NICU babies and their parents.

The hit of the NICU, everyone was thrilled by the popular Angry Birds and Scoobys with their heart button beaks and mouths--such clever designing from Kathy, one of our PFT therapists.  Mucho thanks, Kathy!

 

Pretty Princess Hat knitted from yarn donated to the NICU by a NICU family a few weeks ago and worked up into this beautiful girly girl hat.  For the pattern, please click:   Pretty Princess Hat.

The famous mice, Mickey and Minnie. I made two sets of these and although I can't take pictures in the NICU, I can tell you that they were all mega cute on the little Littles who received them.  For patterns clicke here:   Minnie   or    Mickey.

From our knitting stashes to all of you, we wish you a chocolate and flower-filled

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Star Wars: Yoda, It Is (Adult pattern)

Made this hat for a friend's sister who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. The only hat she requested was a Yoda hat. Well played, Sister! Well played!  Our best thoughts and prayers go with you through your journey.

Yoda, It Is Hat        (Adult-sized)

Materials:

Approx 1/2  hank any moss green #4 Worsted Weight Yarn.  This was knitted in Cascade 220, I think in 9429 Mossy Rock (I've since lost the label)

Circular and Double-Pointed Needles size #8 (or can start on size 8, 16" circular needles and switch to double pointed needles during decrease)

Yarn needle

Gauge:  18sts x 24 rows = 4"

Directions:

CO 90 stitches loosely divided evenly over four double-pointed needles (or 16" circular needle).  Join and place marker between last stitch of first row and first stitch of second row.

K2, P2 ribbing for 1"   (K2P2 across row.  Next row, knit the "v"s and purl the "bars". Cont x 1")

Change to stockinette pattern (knit all rows--in the round)

Knit until total length reaches  6" (for women) and 7" (for men)

Decrease:

Row 1:    K13, K2tog...continue around row.    (84 sts remain)

Row 2:    K12, K2tog...continue around row.    (78 sts)  

Row 3:    K11, K2tog...continue around row.    (72 sts)

Row 4:     K10, K2tog...continue around row.    (66 sts)

Row 5:    K9, K2tog...continue around row.    (60ts)

Row 6:    K8, K2tog...continue around row.    (54sts)

Row 7:    K7, K2tog...continue around row.     (48ts)

Row 8:    K6, K2tog...continue around row.    (42sts)

Row 9:    K5, K2 tog...continue around row.    (36sts)

Row 10:    K4, K2tog...continue around row.    (30sts)

Row 11:    K3, K2tog...continue around row.    (24sts)

Row 12:    K2, Ktog...continue around row.    (18 sts

Row 13:    K2tog around row.  (9 sts)

Cut tail.  Thread onto yarn needle. Draw tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and tie off on underneath side of hat.  Weave in all loose threads.

Yoda's Ears:

Make 2

With double pointed needles, CO 40 sts loosely over three needles.  Join into round and place marker after last stitich of first row and before first stitch of second row.  Be sure to leave a long cast on tail to sew "ear" onto hat.

Row 1:    Knit

Row 2:    Purl

Continue in stockinette stitch (knitting all rows in the round) until piece measures 1.5".

Decrease:

Row 1:    K2tog, K36, K2tog.    (38 sts remain)

Row 2:    K2tog x 2 times, K30, K2tog x 2 times.    (34 sts)

Row 3:    K2tog x 2 times, K26, K2tog x 2 times.    (30 sts)

Row 4:    K2tog x 2 times, K22, K2tog x 2 times.    (26 sts)

Row 5:    K2tog, K9, K2tog x 2 times, K9, K2tog.    (22 sts)

Row 6:    K2tog, K7, K2tog x 2 times, K7, K2tog.    (18 sts)

Row 7:    K2tog, K5, K2tog x 2 times, K5, K2tog.    (14 sts)

Row 8:    K2tog, K3, K2tog x 2 times, K3, K2tog.    (10 sts)

Row 9:    K2tog, K1, K2tog x 2 times, K1, K2tog.    (6 sts)

Row 10:    K1, K2tog x 2 times, K1     (4 sts)

Row 11:    K2tog x 2 times. (2 sts)

Cut long tail.  Thread onto yarn needle. Draw tail through remaining stitches and pull tight.  Secure to underneath side and weave into work.   Using cast on tail, sew ear onto side of hat with bottom approximately 2.5" from bottom edge.  Secure tail on underneath side of hat and weave into work. 

Mickey, the Famous Mouse

 

 Finding Valentine's hats for our little Little boys can be daunting.  Red is great but pink? Not so much.  This fun Mickey Mouse hat is great for both Valentine's Day and Halloween in the NICU or any little guy. 

 

This pattern is also now available as a free Ravelry dowload.

 

Mickey the Famous Mouse Hat

Pattern by Glenna Anderson Muse

Sizes:  Micro Preemie (up to 2.5 lbs), Med Preemie (2.5-4lbs), Large Preemie (4.5-5.6lbs), Newborn (6-8lbs)

Finished Hat circumference Measurements:

(8", 10", 11", 12")

Materials:

Less than 1/2 ball of any  Red #4 Worsted Weight Yarn that accomplishes gauge

1 ball any Black #4 Worsted Weight Yarn that accomplishes gauge

#8 Double pointed needles or needles to make gauge

Optional #10 Double pointed needles or 2 sizes larger than needles needed to make guage

Yarn needle

large sewing needle to sew buttons on with yarn

2   1/2-3/4"  diameter buttons in white, yellow, or light tan

Abbreviations:

BO = bind off

CO = cast off

K = knit

K2tog = knit two stitches together as if one, to decrease

P = purl

 

Gauge:  16 stitches x 20 rows = 4 inches

 

Directions:

With larger needles and  red yarn, CO  (32,40, 44, 52) stitches. Change to smaller needles.

Row 1:  Knit around, joining into a round, and place marker between last stitch of row and first stitch of next row.

Row 2:  Purl around

Row 3:  Repeat rows 1 and 2,  3 more times.

Change to black yarn.

Knit all until total length measures (3", 3.5", 4", 4.5")

Decrease:

Row A: K2tog around row.  (16, 20, 22, 26) stitches remain

Row B:  K2tog around row.  (8, 10, 11, 13) stitches remain

Cut 10" tail and thread onto yarn needle.  Draw tail through remining stitches, pull tightly, and secure.  Weave yarn securely onto underneath side.  Weave all loose yarn ends into under side of hat.

Pom Poms

To make large pom-poms without commercial pom-pom maker: Wrap yarn around 3 (Micro Preemie) or 4 (rest of the sizes) fingers 50-60 times.  Carefully remove from hand and tie a double strand of yarn around middle of loops.  (I also use a small finger diameter rubber band to secure prior to tying with the strands of yarn.)  Tie as tightly as possible and triple knot.


                       

Cut through all of the loops.

 
 

To trim, gather all of the loose ends up in your hand and trim the ones that stand up significantly higher than the rest of the ends.  It doesn't have to be perfect.

To make the pom-pom fuller and  fuzzier, place a fork through the center of pom-pom and steam over boiling water, a couple of inches above water,  for approximately 45 seconds on each side.  You'll be able to see yarn ends starting to separate and appear fuller.

To finish hat, using yarn needle, draw long yarn ends through to underneath side, approximately 1/3 of the way down from the center top.  Secure underneath by securely weaving ends into hat underside. 

Using large sewing needle, sew the two buttons onto red band on hat bottom with yarn very securely.  Buttons can be a choking hazard so take caution when using. Weave in all loose ends.

______________________________________________________

 

Thank you for using this pattern.  If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].  If you would like to be featured on my blog, please send pics of your little person wearing his or her new knitting.

 

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