11+ Free Knitting Patterns to Knit Preemie Hats for Charity

You’ll love knitting preemie hats for charity with these 11+ adorable patterns

“Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks of gestation), and this number is rising. Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for nearly 1 million deaths in 2013.”

That’s a scary-sounding paragraph, isn’t it? Unfortunately it’s not just a scary story. These statistics come directly from the World Health Organization.

Why Knitting Preemie Hats Is So Important

I posted these statistics about prematurity as a reminder.

Yes, knitting for preemies is fun. Projects fly quickly from the needles. You can use the brightest and squishiest yarns. Making such tiny adorable items melts the heart.

But don’t let anyone fool you: this is important work! Preemie hats help keep tiny heads warm and improves these babies’ chances for survival. The fact that preemie hats are so darned cute is just a delightful bonus.

Ready to knit warmth for tiny heads? Check out this collection of 9 free knitting patterns for preemie hats!

For more delightful preemie patterns, check out my Free Preemie Pattern Category Page! 

Free Knitting Patterns for Preemie Hats

1. Seed Stitch Cap

• What you’ll need to make it: 1 oz light worsted weight yarn; US Size 3 needles

• Why you’ll want to: Aside from “because it’s so cute!” (because really, that can be said for all of these), you’ll find the seed stitch brim utterly charming. It makes a delightful change from the usual roll-brim or ribbed brim.

2. Baby Ribs Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 210 yards sport weight or any other soft baby yarn; US Size 3 needles (of your choice, depending on whether you prefer to knit flat or in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: This hat is fully ribbed from top to bottom, meaning it will stretch nicely and conform to any preemie’s tiny head. And you have choices: whether you prefer to knit flat and seam up the side, or seamlessly in the round, this pattern has you covered.

3. Preemie/Newborn Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 170 yards baby yarn; US Size 6 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This is a super-basic hat for larger preemies. You don’t even need to decrease! Just knit a little ribbing, knit stockinette stitch, and then pull the top stitches closed and sew up the seam. This hat can easily be finished in a few hours or less!

4. Bunny Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 2 oz light worsted weight yarn; scraps of worsted weight yarn for bunny; US Size 5 needles; US Size F crochet hook

• Why you’ll want to: Do you really need a reason to knit a sweet little preemie hat with an adorable bunny applique attached? (Me either!)

5. Preemie Eyelet Cap

• What you’ll need to make it: About 100 yards DK or sport weight yarn; US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round–though you will want at least 2 DPNs for I-cord knitting

• Why you’ll want to: Because this hat is too cute for words! As the name suggests, it has a few rows of eyelets. What the name doesn’t tell you is the adorable top-knot that finishes the hat. This is a simple pattern that makes a wonderful introduction to lace knitting!

6. Cute as a Button Preemie Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 315 yards light worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 needles and US Size 6 DPNs and/or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: You can knit this pattern as written to create a beautiful baby girl’s hat, or skip the embroidery and use different colors for an adorable baby boy’s hat! Either way, it’s a stylish and precious preemie hat.

7. Mock Rib and Eyelet Preemie Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 50 to 80 yards DK or sport weight yarn; US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This lovely hat features adorable round mock cables, for which you don’t need a cable needle–just a little attention to detail. Simple, sweet, and comes in 3 preemie sizes.

8. Little Angels Lacy Baby Bonnet

• What you’ll need to make it: About 80 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 3 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; length of ribbon (optional–you could knit an I-cord instead, which would require at least 2 DPNs)

• Why you’ll want to: This sweet little bonnet is quick and simple to make. It’s also a fun way to practice knitting lace!

9. Slip Stitch Preemie Hat & Tiny Toe Up Sockies

• What you’ll need to make them: 120 yards DK weight yarn (with 35 yards in a contrasting color, if using); US Size 2, 4, and 5 DPNs and/or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: I love the little pops of color made possible by the slip stitch pattern in both the cap and the tiny socks. You’ll appreciate that the adorable cap matches up with an equally adorable pair of socks.

10. NICU-Friendly T-Bonnet

• What you’ll need to make it: 1/2 oz baby or lace weight yarn, or 1 oz fingering weight yarn (depending on the size you make); US Size 0, 1, or 3 needles (again, depending on the size you make); 1 yd 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch satin ribbon; 3 3/8-inch flat needles

• Why you’ll want to: First, because pattern is–as indicated by the name–designed especially for preemies in the NICU. Second, because it comes in 3 different sizes, ideal because not all preemies are the same size, even while in the NICU.
  And, finally, because it’s so incredibly cute. I mean, really, who can resist that adorable ribbon? Or the cute little chin strap and button?
  (You’ll also find a pattern for picot-edged booties on the same page!)

11. Incredible Expanding Gnome Cap

• What you’ll need to make it: 80 yards sport weight yarn; US Size 1 DPNs and/or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: Not many preemie hats are both this incredibly cute and this practical. The tiny cables are simply too sweet, and this hat was specifically designed to grow with the baby. It can continue being of use until baby is up to 3 months old!

Bonus: Patterns & Preemie Size Guide

Finally, take a look at this page from the archives of the Internet. In addition to several very simple variations on preemie hats, you’ll also find a handy size guide for preemie knits. Not only does it offer a handy guide to casting on and knitting a variety of preemie hat sizes in a variety of yarn weights, but it also gives a helpful size guide for preemie blankets.

With this wonderful selection of patterns for preemies, you can help save lives and truly love your knitting!