Half Pint Preemie Hats By Maeby Knits
Premature babies need to stay warm to stay healthy, and hats will keep precious little ones cozy. The pattern includes instructions for knitting the hats on either straight needles or DPNs (however, if you are knitting the hat on straight needles, there is α bit of seaming), as well as several different brim options.
Materials:
\* US Size 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles or DPNs. \* Worsted weight yarn (make sure it's softl) \* A tapestry or yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
Choosinq yarn:
If you plan on donating the hats that you knit to a hospital or organization, you may want to contact them to see if they have any specifications when it comes to yarn content, color, etc. However, here are α few simple guidelines that can help: \* First and foremost, make sure the yarn you are using is very soft (I use 100% acrylic or lOO% cotton yarns) Avoid wool, as many preemies are allerqic to it. \* Make sure that the yarn you are using is washable. \* Make sure your yarn does not get anywhere near pets.
Sizes.
This pattern includes three different sizes - Extra small, small and medium. However, the pattern can be easily adapted for larger preemies by adding stitches in increments of four.
Brim:
Feel free to use any brim pattern you like. I have included several below. When the pattern says to work in brim pattern, it just means to put in any brim you want. The brim used in the sample was a 2x2 rib. (K1, Pl) repeat around. (K2, P2) repeat around. (Kltbl, Pl) repeat around. You can also do a rolled brim by just working in stockinette stitch.
Straiaht Needles
Using the long tail cast on method, cast on 48 (56, 64) stitches. Work in brim pattern for l inch, with the last row being an odd numbered row. Row l - Knit all stitches. Row 2- Purl all stitches. Repeat rows l and 2 until the hat measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from the cast on edge and then work rows 1 - 6. Row l- (K2, k2tog) repeat around. Row 2 - Purl all stitches. Row 3- (Kl, k2tog) repeat around. Row 4 - Purl all stitches. Row 5 - (K2tog) repeat around. Row 6 - (P2tog) repeat around. Break the yarn leaving a 15 inch tail. Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull to close. Seam the two sides of the work together on the inside of the hat using mattress stitch. Weave in ends. (See this link for seaming:http://aknitica.com/20l4/07/08/love-mattress-stitch/)
OPNs -
Using the long tail cast on method, cast on 48 (56, 64) stitches. Work in brim pattern for l inch. Round 1 - Knit all stitches. Repeat round l until the hat measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from the cast on edge cast on edge and then work rounds 1 - 6. Round 1- (K2, k2tog) repeat around. Round 2 - Knit all stitches. Round 3- (Kl, k2tog) repeat around. Round 4 - Knit all stitches. Round 5 - (K2tog) repeat around. Round 6 - (K2tog) repeat around. Break the yarn. Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull to close. Weave in ends. Thank you for knitting this pattern and may the preemie who receives the hat grow to be happy and healthy! Abbreviations: K - Knit P - Purl K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together P2tog - Purl 2 stitches together
