#KNITTINGPATTERN

I was very recently asked to knit some little wooly hats for a small baby who was born at the stage of tininess...

As you can imagine, it is quite hard to know what to make when a little one is so small so I went online to do a bit of research.

I didn't really come up with much other than an idea of what size needles I should use and the amount of stitches I should cast on, so I had to make up a pattern myself.

I am told that these little hats fit their owner well, so I am posting the pattern in case anyone is ever in the position to need small hats like this or if anyone would like to knit small hats and donate them to hospitals.

Here goes:

HAT FOR PREMI BABY, APPROX 2lb

MATERIALS:
3.50 mm crochet hook
3.25 mm knitting needles
Double knitting soft wool. Acrylic probably advisable in case of irritation from wool

PATTERN:
Cast on 50 stitches, leaving a good length on wool for crochet after the hat is knitted.
Knit 6 rows of rib (2 plain, 2 purl)
Knit 8 rows stocking stitch
(Knit 3, K2tog) and repeat until end
Purl

(Knit 2, K2tog) and repeat until end
Purl
(Knit 1, K2tog) and repeat until end
Purl
K2tog to end
Purl2tog to end.
Thread through stitches with a needle and fasten off.

To make up, go to the thread at the cast on rib side and take your crochet hook out and start crocheting the two seams together towards the top on the outside with double crochet stitches.

The seam is purposely on the outside of this design so that the precious little baby's head will not come into contact with any uncomfortable, damaging or irritating stitches.

I brought the two threads together at the very top of the hat when I was finishing off the double crochets and then just did about four chain stitches with the two strands, tied it off and then added a little decoration.

Again this was to keep all stitching that could possibly hurt the baby away from their head but to still keep them looking snazzy and stylish.

I hope people get some help out of this, if they need to make small hats for small people.