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Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

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56 Comments

This week I have been working on creating a new free crochet pattern on Heart Hook Home. One for preemie babies that is both a customizable and a quick project (work one up in just 15 minutes!) that I can crank out for donations to our local NICU.

My boys were both born at term, but I personally know several parents of preemie babies, including my very own cousin. Her oldest boy was born at just 27 weeks gestation, and weighed in at less than 2 lbs. He was teeny tiny, and now is whole and hearty, playing football on his home team. ♥

I can tell you that from my experience with our oldest son Caden, who has a rare heart defect, that in the three months that we were in the PICU after his two open heart surgeries in 2007, the handmade items we received felt like tangible prayers. Those gifts or items were there because other members of our family couldn’t be.

Because I have felt the very real effect of such items, I am pouring all of my prayers and well wishes into each and every one of these hats.

These littlest of preemie babies are fighters, and if you’d care to join me in creating tiny hats for donations, I’d love to have your help! Send them to your own local NICU, and offer a warmth and love that only handmade items can provide.

Thank you for joining me!

Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

Materials:

I use the softest yarn I can find, which is this Berroco Comfort in a variety of colors. I want these hats to be as soft and pliable as possible, and this is the softest yarn I have ever worked with. You’ll love it, and so will the babies! A single skein can produce about 8-10 hats, depending on the hook size used and on how tightly you crochet. Look at all of these beautiful colors!

I have made some of these hats with a D hook, some with a G hook, some with an H hook and then with an I hook. The smaller the hook, the smaller the hat will be. I like to do a few in each size since these babies will vary greatly in size. You never know which they will need.

Same pattern, same number of rows, just a different size hook:

Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern:

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch-1, 10hdc in ring, join to first with sl st. (10)
*tighten circle*
Round 2: Ch-1, 2hdc in each st around. Join with sl st. (20)
Round 3: Ch-1, *1hdc in first st, 2hdc in next* Join with sl st. (30)
Rounds 4 – 12: Ch-1, hdc in each around (30)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

These hats are noticeably longer than they need to be. I did this because we want to be able to roll them up, and then roll them down as needed – as the baby grows.

Thank you for sharing!

Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

Be sure to check out our other free crochet patterns before you go:

Dishcloth or Washcloth FREE Crochet Pattern
Hair Towel with a Twist {FREE Crochet Pattern}
Scentsy Travel Tin Air Freshener Holder for Car {FREE Crochet Pattern}
Aldi Quarter Keeper {FREE Crochet Pattern}
Pencil Wall Hanging for Teacher’s Classroom – FREE Crochet Pattern


Beanie Hat for Preemie Babies Free Crochet Pattern

Comments

  1. Rose says

    May 9, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    I just found this pattern. I love that it is so simple and quick to do. Thank you. :) Another soft yarn that you could possible use is Red Heart Amore. I bought it on a whim and I've never felt anything softer(although I've not used the yarn you did. It is the first I've heard of it.)
    Reply

  2. Esther says

    March 24, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    I have done a lot of these hats for the NICU at Methodist Hospital but have a question. When you ss to the first hdc, then do the first hdc for the next round in that same stitch it’s makes the “seam” on the back slanted. Is there a way to avoid that and have a straight seam? Thanks!
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      March 26, 2019 at 9:02 am

      Hi Ester! A trick I recently learned is to yarn under when you ss to join the round. Hope this helps!
      Reply

  3. joy says

    February 26, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    Thankyou for this fab pattern I'm just in the process of making some traffic light hats for local hospital so thankyou so much
    Reply

  4. Andrea says

    February 20, 2019 at 10:40 pm

    Thanks for the pattern! Easy to follow. My son was born at 37 weeks and is an itty bitty. No hats fit him so this is prefect.
    Reply

  5. Jodi says

    December 11, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    Hi! I am wondering about rows 4-12. Should I still SS to the first HDC at the end of each row like the previous rows or just chain 1 at the end of the row and keep going? The instructions don’t specify the SS for 4-12 like 1-3. ☺️ Thanks!! These hats are going to go to AHA’s Little Hats Big Hearts!❤️ Thanks so much for sharing this versatile, lovely pattern.
    Reply

      • ARRETTE HARVEY says

        January 31, 2019 at 5:23 pm

        Hi!! I am new to reading patterns. I’ve made it to row 5. And it’s just one big circle. When does it Start taking shape of the hat ?? Should I start over ☹️☹️
        Reply

  6. Selena says

    December 4, 2018 at 6:18 am

    Hi Ashlea, Thank you so much for this adorable pattern . I made a few of these for a charity that is close to my heart. My little boy came along 8 weeks early and we were gifted a beautiful handmade premmie Christmas hat. He’s turning 3 on Friday! . I’ve just got a quick quiry. In round 1 when you say “... join to first with sl st” are you counting the starting chain as a stitch or do we sl st into the first hdc? Thank you again, God bless xo Selena
    Reply

  7. Cathy says

    October 29, 2018 at 12:08 am

    What size hook(s) do you recommend for Easy Peasy Beanies, sizes 6-12 months & 12-24 months? Thank you for the pattern & the sizing chart!
    Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      November 2, 2018 at 10:34 am

      Hi Cathy! I would use a size J hook for the 12-24 and maybe an I for the 6-12. Here is the link for the child sized 30 minute beanie for quick reference: https://hearthookhome.com/child-size-easy-30-minute-beanie-crochet-pattern/
      Reply

  8. Paige says

    June 6, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Hi! I would love to make some of these hats. Can you please post the weight of the yarn you’re using? The link to the yarn shows some of the colors are DK and many of the colors aren’t, or it’s not listed. I want to use a DK weight yarn I already have, but to follow your pattern I need to know if that’s what you used or if I need to make adjustments?
    Reply

    • A Gale says

      October 6, 2018 at 3:53 pm

      Isn’t there another way, to eliminate the “magic circle?” I only have one hand and it’s super difficult to wrap yarn around anything, when I have nothing!! I have poor tension on my work, as well. I used to be an excellent, advanced crocheter.......................I lost my hand I feel useless!! :-( Please help???
      Reply

    • Heart Hook Home says

      March 31, 2018 at 9:19 am

      The magic circle is an alternative way to start circular projects, rather than the chain and join method. I have a tutorial for the magic circle here: http://hearthookhome.com/make-magic-circle-crocheting-round/
      Reply

  10. Margaret says

    March 24, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    I am thrilled that I eventually found this site as I have been struggling with sizing of beanies and now I can crochet any size I with. Thanks
    Reply

  11. Victoria Allen says

    February 2, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    I love the pattern. You didn't mention, do you turn after sl st on each row, or join and keep going? If so does that make it spiral and not even after final joining? Thanks for your help.
    Reply

  13. Lisa Kenney says

    January 7, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    I attempted to make one today and I was kind of confused on round 3. I am not sure if it was all spelled out in the pattern or not, can you tell me exactly what stitched need to be made to do round 3. I was confused by 1 hdc in first stitch and then second stitch 2hdc, what is the next step to make 30 around? Thank you!
    Reply

    • Ashlea says

      January 7, 2018 at 4:47 pm

      Hi Lisa! You'll do this: hdc, 2hdc, hdc, 2hdc, hdc, 2 hdc etc all the way around for round 3. That adds 10 more stitches than round 2. Hope that helps!
      Reply

  15. Mrs Livingston says

    December 11, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Thank you for this pattern. Making these for February Heart Health month. I've gone up as far as a K 6.5mm hook. Love it, quick; easy peasy!
    Reply

  16. Brenda says

    November 14, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    These are perfect! I'm going to be donating for Little Hats Big Hearts project. This is not my first time to use your patterrns, my nephews love their Ninja Turtle hats! Thanks so much.
    Reply

  20. Diane Harris says

    August 29, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Hi buddy crotcheter! After many years I am back with my hooks again!! I see some of the hooks now have a wider area for holding, easier on your hand, are they?? I so enjoy your beanie hat pattern especially, when the number of stitches are on the end of each row! Thank you for taking the time with these and other patterns! God Bless! From a Canadian! Diane H.
    Reply

    • Ashlea says

      August 30, 2017 at 7:35 am

      Hey Diane!! Thank you so much! I'm glad you're finding fun on HHH. :) I swear by the Clover Soft Touch hooks, they are amazing!! Here's where you can find them, or get them individually also: http://amzn.to/2whWDfm
      Reply

  21. Kim says

    April 7, 2017 at 2:37 pm

    I also use different size hooks depending on the size. I belong to a group that is making hats for the NICU units in St. Louis MO
    Reply

  23. Brooke York says

    January 9, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    Loved your page on hook sizes. I have been making baby hats here and there to donate to our local NICU as well. I am saving your pattern and going to play around with hooks sizes! Thank you for the pattern! I just got a new set of hooks so this will be perfect to try them out.
    Reply

  24. Jp says

    January 5, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    I crochet real tight is there a size chart to go by so I will know I am on the right track? I usually do newborn hats but I am trying this pattern and not sure if they are the right sizes. Thank you for the pattern and your help!
    Reply

    • Barb says

      April 8, 2019 at 9:40 pm

      I’ve been looking for a simple hat pattern with many different sizes. Thank you so much for posting. This is a great way to use leftover yarn that’s not quite enough for a full project!!
      Reply

  25. Krystal says

    January 2, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    Thank you so much for the pattern and for your servants heart! I gave birth to my little girl on November 11 (6 weeks early). She was in the NICU for 2 weeks and the gifts we received from volunteers were so sweet and encouraging! I've been wanting to give back. I made Santa hats for the Nicu babies but just had to guess and use trial and error for sizing. This pattern will be very helpful and will be used to bless other families. Thank you so much!
    Reply

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