Easy Preemie Santa Hat

Materials:

Caron Simply Soft yarn, 1 skein red, 1 skein white (this amount will be enough for at least two preemie hats plus some booties).
#6 US knitting needles (straight or circular)
1 stitch marker
1 yarn needle

Pattern as written will fit a 6-8 lb preemie.*

Instructions:

Cast on 54 stitches using white yarn.

Knit in K1 P1 ribbing for 2-1/2 inches.

Change color to red and knit each row until piece measures 4-1/2 inches from cast-on edge.

Knit 27 stitches, place marker, and knit to end of row.

Begin decreasing:
Row 1: K1, K2tog, knit to three stitches before the marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker from left needle to right, K1, K2tog, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1.
Row 2: Knit across.
Row 3: Knit across.

Repeat rows 1 through 3 until 6 stitches remain on needles.

Cut yarn long enough to sew seam and run through stitches on needle, pull up tight and sew seam. (Switch to white yarn to sew the cuff seam.) Tie pom-pom securely at tip of hat.

Abbreviations:

K = knit
P = purl
K2tog = knit two stitches together

*Note:
Try casting on more stitches for larger sized hats and making it longer before beginning decreases. See the size chart at The Preemie Project website for further information on other preemie/newborn sizes.

This pattern was designed for The Preemie Project.

Copyright 2005 by Debbie Cowherd. This pattern is for charitable and personal use only. It may be copied and distributed free of charge as long as this copyright notice remains unchanged. If you make one for personal use, please consider making another one and donating it to a charity (such as The Preemie Project) or your local hospital. You may not use this for commercial purposes.

Please contact me with any questions.

Created on ... October 16, 2005