"Hat Baby", as in that's her name... no, really, that's what we call her, has been our constant living room companion for the almost seven years I've been knitting for the NICU, is my model for Medium-sized Preemies. Although her legs and arms are much chunkier than our skinnier little Littles, her head measures exactly 12" and her length just under 14", making her the perfect dressmaker doll to sub in for Preemie fashions. For years now, she's either worn the latest in Preemie wear, or the plain Jane little sleeper she came in. Hat Baby deserves designer outfit love too, so this summer I knitted her a sunsuit and headband of her very own to dress up in.
While technically both the headband and sunsuit would fit a 3-5 lb preemie, it probably wouldn't be something to actually dress a real baby in since they need multiple layers to hold in their body heat, but it's fun to think about for photos and definitely cute for other dolls of the same size.
"Preemie" Summer Romper and Floral Headband for 12" Height Doll
Doll: 12-14" tall; 10 1/2" chest; 12" head circumference
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.
Summer Romper
Materials:
2 oz Baby weight yarn in any color
Size 5 dpns
Size 8 dpns
yarn needle
1 foot of 1/4-1/2" silk ribbon
Directions:
CO: 60, loosely, over 3-4 needles and join in the round, placing marker between last stitch of cast on row and first stitch of new row.
Work in 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2...repeat) until total length measures 2 1/2"
Change to size 8 needles.
Knit one row
Purl one row.
K+1, K3 around row. (Don't worry about exact counts on stitches, the important part is to keep increasing every few rows to create the flared skirt--it's for a doll. For a real baby, we might need to be more particular about counts and such.)
Knit x 4 rows.
Repeat increase and knitted rows until skirt measures 5"
Purl one row
Knit one row.
BO all stitches. Cut tail and pull through last stitch. Secure. Weave in all loose threads.
Optional: To form "shorts" rather than skirt of romper, lay romper flat and find middle of front and back. With same thread stitch a 1" seam, starting from hem, to form a simple seam between legs. Secure and weave in loose threads.
Thread ribbon onto yarn needle and weave across front of romper to create halter ties. Leave both ends dangling equal amounts on each side. When dressing doll, bring ribbon around back of doll's neck and tie into a bow. Trim ribbon as needed.
Baby Doll Headband with Flower
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.
Materials:
1/4 oz Baby weight yarn
1/4 oz Baby weight in contrasting color (leaves)
Size 8 straight needles
yarn needle
1 1"-2" silk flower mounted on an alligator clip (easily found at hobby stores or women's accessory stores like Claire's)
Directions:
With main yarn, CO 40 stitches very loosely.
Work in 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2, repeat) across x 6 rows.
BO loosely in stitch. Cut tail and pull through last stitch to secure. Sew headband ends together and secure. Weave in loose threads.
To make "leaves", with contrasting yarn, CO 20 sts.
BO all stitches, cut tail and pull through last stitch. Secure. Allow piece to curl around itself.
Sew ends together. Secure. Use remaining tails to sew onto headband approx 1" apart, at sewn place only. Allow rest of "leaf" to remain unattached from headband.
Make 2 and sew both onto headband.
Clip flower onto headband between the two open leaves
