Crochet Hat Pattern in Seven Sizes for Preemies
I would like to share my pattern for 7 different sizes of crocheted hats for babies born under 20 weeks gestation up to newborns. I was inspired to start making these one day while I was searching for some doll clothing patterns to make for my daughter. Many of the doll-sized patterns I
found were intended to be made for donation to the parents of preemie and
stillborn or “angel baby” children. I decided I wanted to make some clothing to
donate, and if you enjoy making these hats, I ask that you consider making some
for donation too. These are all very simple, since I wanted something gender
neutral that I could whip up in various sizes without needing to reference
multiple patterns. I would like to start off by giving credit to Myshelle Cole
of Mamma That Makes. She has TONS of cute
preemie and angel baby patterns available on her blog, and I used the information on her blog
as a starting place for determining how large I wanted each hat.
Stitches Used:
Magic circle
Chain (ch)
Double crochet (dc)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Important Notes:
This pattern is written in US terms and is worked in the round.
The first round of all sizes is worked into a magic circle. If you don’t know how to make one, I recommend this tutorial by Bella Coco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GHTfXaz2E
The ch 2 at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch. When I start each round, I ch 2, then I dc in that same stitch, which counts as the first dc. To finish the round, I slip stitch to the first dc of the round, not the ch2.
The last round is slightly different. I ch 1, then I sc in that same stitch and in each stitch around. To finish it off, I slip stitch to the ch1, cut the yarn, and weave in the ends.
This pattern is written in US terms and is worked in the round.
The first round of all sizes is worked into a magic circle. If you don’t know how to make one, I recommend this tutorial by Bella Coco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GHTfXaz2E
The ch 2 at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch. When I start each round, I ch 2, then I dc in that same stitch, which counts as the first dc. To finish the round, I slip stitch to the first dc of the round, not the ch2.
The last round is slightly different. I ch 1, then I sc in that same stitch and in each stitch around. To finish it off, I slip stitch to the ch1, cut the yarn, and weave in the ends.
Here is a chart that summarizes the stitches used to make the
different sizes, explained in more detail below. To determine the estimated
gestational age, I tested each hat on various round objects that matched the measurements of a baby’s head born at that gestation. You may have
slightly different results, depending on how tightly you crochet and the yarn
you use.
| Size: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| Yarn: | DK | DK | DK | DK | Worsted | Worsted | Worsted |
| Hook: | F | F | F | F | H | H | H |
| Round 1 | 10 dc | 12 dc | 10 dc | 12 dc | 10 dc | 12 dc | 12 dc |
| Round 2 | 20 dc | 24 dc | 20 dc | 24 dc | 20 dc | 24 dc | 24 dc |
| Round 3 | 20 dc | 24 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 36 dc |
| Round 4 | 20 dc | 24 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc |
| Round 5 | 20 dc | 24 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc |
| Round 6 | 20 sc | 24 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc |
| Round 7 | 24 sc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc | |
| Round 8 | 30 dc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc | ||
| Round 9 | 30 sc | 36 dc | 30 dc | 36 dc | 42 dc | ||
| Round 10 | 36 sc | 30 sc | 36 dc | 42 dc | |||
| Round 11 | 36 sc | 42 dc | |||||
| Round 12 | 42 sc | ||||||
| Estimated | |||||||
| Gestational | 17 wks | 19 wks | 22 wks | 25 wks | 30 wks | 35 wks | Newborn |
| Age: |
Sizes A-D are made with a DK weight yarn such as “I Love This Yarn! Sport” and a size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook.
Size A
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (20 dc).
Rounds 3-5: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (20 dc).
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (20 sc).
Size B
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 12 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (24 dc).
Rounds 3-6: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (24 dc).
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (24 sc).
Size C
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (20 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st, make 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in
next st, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to first dc. (30 dc).
Rounds 4-8: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (30 dc).
Round 9: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (30 sc).
Size D
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 12 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (24 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st, make 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in
next st, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to first dc. (36 dc).
Rounds 4-9: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (36 dc).
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (36 sc).
Sizes E-G are made with a worsted weight yarn such as “I Love This Yarn!”
and a size H (5 mm) crochet hook.
Size E
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (20 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st, make 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in
next st, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to first dc. (30 dc).
Rounds 4-9: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (30 dc).
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (30 sc).
Size F
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 12 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (24 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st, make 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in
next st, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to first dc. (36 dc).
Rounds 4-10: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (36 dc).
Round 11: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (36 sc).
Size G
Round 1: Make magic circle, ch 2, 12 dc into circle. Sl st to first
dc and pull circle closed.
Round 2: Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (24 dc).
Round 3: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st, make 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in
next st, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to first dc. (36 dc).
Round 4: Ch 2, make 1 dc in same st and in next 4 sts, make 2 dc in
next st, *1 dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat around, sl st to
first dc. (42 dc).
Rounds 5-11: Ch 2, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to
first dc. (42 dc).
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around. Sl st to starting
ch. Finish off. (42 sc).
That’s it! Please let me know if you see any errors that need
correcting or if you have any suggestions to improve this pattern. Thanks!
