Premature baby hat - free PDF

A small number of years ago, I was delighted to find a pattern for a premature baby knotted hat from Blesseddesigns.net, when we most needed it. 

Unfortunately the Blessed Designs web site for premature baby patterns no longer exists. I've tried to find it again for your benefit, to no avail. So in the end I created my own pattern for you. It is based on the Blesseddesigns idea, though, as I still have hard copy, so I owe them a debt, even though they no longer seem to exist! To find out more about my (free) pattern, and how to make up a premature baby hat, read on.


The free PDF pattern

You can get a free pdf of my pattern by clicking on this picture.

You will need some soft knit fabric, and also a piece of ribbing. If your knit fabric is suitably stretchy with enough 'recovery', you might be able to use that for the ribbing also, but some knits suitable for a premature baby are almost too soft / stretchy. However, I used the same fabric.

This pattern should fit a baby of about 4lb to 7lb (or 1.75 kg to 3.25kg). For an even smaller baby, as our grand-daughter was - I'd still try making this size first. It may seem a bit big to start with, but they do grow so fast. For a 2 1/2lb - 3lb baby, or 1.1 - 1.4 kg, the head size might be smaller - perhaps 10.5" or 25.5cm, compared with 12" or 30cm plus for a baby of 4-5lb (1.8kg - 2.5kg). This pattern will measure about 10" without being stretched, so it will fit loosely on a baby with a head circumference of 10.5", or more firmly on a head size of 12". For an even tinier premature baby - then I'd say first take advice from the medical people before making anything. They will be able to tell you whether a home-made hat will be suitable. Usually, the NICU will have a number of tiny soft hats for the smallest babies. 

If, though, you've come to this post looking for baby hats generally, or for larger premature babies, see my later post on hats for babies and small people, for some alternative ideas. 

Method:

1) Print off the PDF pattern. Ask the printer to print actual size. I've included a 1" and a 4 cm square so you can check it's printing to scale. If not, you may need to print to 110% or 95% - or whatever gets you to the right size. As a final check, the bottom straight line should be 5.75" or 14.5 cm, and the pattern should be 10.25" tall (26 cm). If all else fails, you could redraw it on squared paper using the grid lines to help you.

2) Using the pattern, cut two pieces of the knit fabric, with the stretch running across the width of the hat. (i.e. so it stretches most widthwise). 

3) Cut a piece of ribbing 10.5" by 3" (26.5 cm x 7.5 cm). The direction of the stretch should be along the 10.5", as this will go round the head.

4) Place the two main pattern pieces right sides together, and sew up the sides and over the top of the knot using a 3/8" or 1 cm seam. Use a narrow zig zag stitch if you don't have a serger (as I don't).

Then turn it right side out. With a knit fabric, you shouldn't need to finish the seam, this would just create more bulk. Premature babies' skin is ultra fine and sensitive, so the softer the hat and the less bulk, the better. However, I suggest you notch the curves as below,  (don't cut into the seam line, though) to help it lay flat. I used a wooden spoon handle to turn it inside out, and lightly pressed it. (But check first that your fabric is suitable for pressing.)

5. Take your piece of ribbing and sew the short ends together. This will make the hat band. Press the seam open with your fingers or use a damp cloth over the ribbing to press with the iron (not too hot).

6) Fold the ribbing circle in half along the length, with the seam inside.

Then baste the edges with a zig zag stitch.

7) Pin the basted edge of the ribbing to the outside bottom edge of the hat, right sides together, easing to fit. Then stitch together, again using a zigzag stitch. 

Again, press it lightly with a damp cloth - this will make the zigzagging shrink back a bit into shape. Press the seam to the inside. The ribbing can then be folded in half again to make a narrow cuff, especially if you need a very tiny size, or, as I did, you can just leave the full cuff open.

8) Knot the top knot loosely so the hat fits.

Here, I show what it looks like on a doll with a head size about the same as a small premature baby. 

All too soon, the premature baby will be a toddler, fascinated by how tiny his or her first hat was! We took photos of Jane with her first little hat balanced on her head at her first and second birthdays.

For an alternative premature baby hat, without the knotted top, you could also try the Coral and Co baby hat.