There is nothing like showing up in this world tinier than your parents anticipated and being left wearing baggy baby clothes as a result. Let’s face it, when a baby is early or low birth weight, very often it is unexpected so you’re left running out to every baby store in town looking for something tiny enough that baby won’t look like one of those kids in the baggy pants that hang down around his knees.
Trust me, I’ve been there. When I found out I was expecting, I looked at my tall fair husband and told him that we may not know this little person about to join our family yet but we could be certain the baby would be big, blonde, and kind (like us). Well, our bundle of joy arrived tiny, dark, and smiling. At least he got the important trait! My second son was even earlier and equally small at 2.5kg, but we had kept our precious hand knits. And don’t worry, they’re growing tall and strong. You can follow along on my knitting designing, baking, and life’s adventures on my Instagram.
Sure, being naked all day was socially acceptable and comfortable in the warm womb, but in Ireland that just doesn’t fly. And without the baby fat that gets piled on in the final weeks of a healthy pregnancy, it is essential that hats, booties and cardigans be part of a tiny baby’s everyday wardrobe. We hunted high and low for clothing that was tiny enough but even the sizes marked ‘early baby’ or ‘premature’ made him look like he was a college student lounging by the pool on holiday. Which isn’t bad because my boys have very chill attitudes, so it worked. But what also made it work was hand knits because they are forgiving and cosy.
I was also fortunate to have a Mom who immediately rang up a company in the States and ordered a whole wardrobe for LB in the tiniest sizes available. They were the most darling things! But it is the hand knits that last for months! I’m not kidding, every single one of his hand knit cardigans lasted at least six months. Many are easy to add onto for them to last another few months. And they add such personality to his outfits. I’ve included a couple photos of the hand knits that worked from birth for each of my tiny baby boys. I’ve also added a bunch of links to knitting patterns that work for premature, tiny and low birth weight babies. You can read the post on my favorite baby cardigans if you want to know more about which ones I received and love. So get knitting! A nice plan might be to knit a few of these in neutral colors then either donate them to Irish Premature Babies OR keep them on-hand so once a friend has a low birth weight baby you can drop it in the mail and be a hero (I’m not kidding about the hero part).
Preemie Knitting Patterns
Here are some patterns I found useful when my son was born tiny. Some are premature or early baby sized while others can be easily adapted for smaller sizing:
Field & Sky Pullover by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
Farran Baby Booties by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
Barra Marled Hat by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
Ballyhoura Baby Blanket by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
Óg Preemie Baby Hat by Evin Bail O’Keeffe
The Danish Octo Book: How to make comforting crochet toys for babies – the official guide
Early Arrivals (Booklet 280) from Sirdar
Kanoko Pants by Yumiko Sakurai (shown below) – the smallest size that I knit for LB fit him from birth through nine weeks (11 lbs). It can easily be made smaller though (we had to fold up the legs and cinch in the drawstring for the first month).
Baby’s Beanie Hat by Erika Knight (shown below) from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies (available from Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk)
Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly Brooker – I’ve not knitted this but Missy has.
Premature Baby Bootees by Shepherd Yarns
Premature Baby’s Cardigan, Hat and Bootees by Lorna Hanson
Double knit V-neck raglan premature baby cardigan by Wye Needlecraft
Hat for premature babies by Ann Baker
Knitting Pattern No. 10 Premature Baby Onsie by Lynne Christie
Premature Baby Socks by Naturally Yarns
Premature/Low Birth Weight Baby Body Warmer by Doris Lord
Heather Premature Baby Jacket by Denny Kelly
Little Miracle – premature cardigan by Anne Småbrekke
Cabled Preemie Hat by Marie Wright
Michelle’s Preemie-Newborn Booties and Hat by Michelle Howard
Preemie Hats for Charity by Carissa Browning
Simple Tiny Angel by Christine M Woolley
4ply V-Neck Raglan Cardigan by Wye Needlecraft
Olivia Preemie Booties by Jessie Driscoll
Design 6, Baby’s Raglan Sleeved Cardigan with Round Neck, Hat and Bootees by Patons UK
Bootees and Mittens by Stylecraft
Additional Resources
Black Sheep Wools has a fab post with a list of patterns too.
The oddest part about welcoming such a tiny bundle is imagining him any bigger. Well, two years later, my first-born was 27 pounds and 33.5 inches.
Like what you’re reading? Comment with your favourite tiny baby project.
My Knitting Books & Social Media
Did you know I design knitwear and published two books? Also, you can follow along on my knitting designing, baking, and life’s adventures on my Instagram account.
Ultraviolet Knits: Twelve knitting patterns featuring UV-reactive hand-dyed wool (Anchor and Bee, 2020)
for individual patternsfor ebook edition with all 12 patterns
Bake Knit Sew: A Recipe and Craft Project Annual (Anchor and Bee, 2014)
Bake Knit Sew – Amazon.co.uk– UK
Bake Knit Sew – Amazon.com.au– Australia
Bake Knit Sew – Barnes & Noble – USA
Bake Knit Sew – BookDepository – Worldwide
Bake Knit Sew – Dymocks– Australia
for ebook edition with all 7 knitting patterns, 5 sewing projects, and 12 recipes
for individual patterns
Social Media
i just love knitting , and it would be great knowing i am doing it for a very good reason and helping these tiny babies
Hi,
I have been looking to do some knitting or crochet for charity and am delighted to have found your site. I will knit a little item and post to you.
Regards
Patricia Carolan Byrne
Drogheda
So sweet, Patricia. Thanks for commenting. I don’t actually represent a charity so look for a local charity to knit for near you. Not that I’d turn down anything handmade ever, but my son is now a healthy two-year-old so no longer itty-bitty.
I do a lot of knee rung knitting for the disable & elderly. I would lovr to knit a blanket for our little ones. Even though my son was full term he only weighted in at 4lb 7oz and the only size that your could get was 1 and so mother knitted him dolls clothes.
Could you please let me know where I can take the blankets as I live in Bundaberg, Qld, Australia. Thank you.
I design and handmake baby booties and would love to help knitting premature baby items for the hospitals here in the UK. Thank you.
I am so happy to have found your site and be able to connect with fellow knitters in my adopted homeland. I do charity knitting and knitting for friends and acquaintances here in the US at present and love the patterns and links you’ve provided. I would love to correspond or chat with those interested to compare notes.
Slainte! Meiri
Meiri, Are you on Ravelry?
I love your site.
My heart skipped a beat when I seen
this site.
My Son and Fiance’
Have got gorgeous identical Baby Girls…
Now 18 months.
And not long ago
was blessed with a Son.
He was full term…
But my gorgeous grandson
was 120grams born.
I havent been able to find patterns
to make him little pants, tops, bootees.
The only thing I was able to do was.
Take a normal size beanie
and do some maths to make
My very own “BEANEETE.”
I really hope you can help me with some patterns, so I can make some cute things for him.
DANTE’ meaning…. Endure & Endure he did and is.
Thank you.
So sweet! Congratulations! I was surprised when our son at full-term was so tiny. Though 120 grams is a doll. I hope this post helped you find some patterns. Another option is to look at Cabbage Patch Doll or American Doll patterns maybe? Dante is a lovely and fitting name for him, Leanne. Again, hearty congratulations on your growing family.
Evin
I love the idea of keeping a few of them on hand incase they’re needed by friends. I’ve been meaning to knit a few for charity too. Thanks for posting the links!
So right, Jenny!
(Yes, Greywolf is my real name)
My beautiful Granddaughter was born a month late and a healthy weight of 7lb 3oz, but, she is rather tiny. Newborn clothing look as if she would fit in them twice over and still have room to spare and premature clothes are too small.
Would any of the lovely patterns you have shared fit, or adapted to her size?
As a severely disabled lady could you also tell me which ones are easy to knit as I can only hold my needles for a maximum of 15 minutes at a time (but I will push on for as long as I can)?
Thank you for the wonderful pages you have shared.
Greywolf, Baby’s Beanie Hat by Erika Knight might be a good place to start for you. It is a small enough project that with just 15 minutes at a time, you can make progress. Also, the smaller project means less weight on your needles so your wrists won’t tire, if that’s a concern. You can knit it flat and seam up or knit in the round. Best of luck!
Thank you for the next pattern. At the moment I am knitting a dress for her from a pattern that is nearly 30 years old, using a slightly tighter stitch and smaller needles.
I find that using bamboo circular needles are so light and the knitting can rest on the plastic tube that connects the 2 needles. Bamboo needles are definitely much lighter than metal ones and give less stress on the hands, wrists and arms.
I hope that this can be of some help to others with and without disabilities.
Thank you again
Greywolf
Forgot to say that the pattern is a King Cole, Pixie, double knitting and 4 ply, to fit sizes 36 – 46cm/14 – 18″ chest, KC536.
Hoping to start a group of knitters within a larger social group to aid preemies. Hope you can help.
Hope this list gets you and your group started, Carol!
So thankful I found your site. I’m going to be giving a lot of these patterns a try – in triplicate as my bestie is expecting 3 tiny joybundles! Thank you!
I am a newbie at this. How many do I cast on for premature 3lb. For my local NICU charity.
Would very much appreciate all feedback
I have done a few hats using this is the only size pattern I could find/follow. I just need smaller sizes ‘similar simple pattern to the one I have ..(cast on ’48’ k2,p2 rib ‘6 rows’… p1, wrap 1, p2t for ’22 rows’.)….. Thankyou 🙂
Hi Siobhan, what a great project you have ahead of you. It sounds like you are a skilled knitter with a generous heart. Are you asking about a specific pattern within this post or in general? If a specific pattern, I’m not sure which one it is based on the start. If you’re asking about the best cast on, I find the stretchiest ones best.
Thankyou for your reply Evin….
I just asking in general, by cast ons, I meant (How many do I cast on ‘size’ to fit premature hats. The hats that i have done the cast on 48 stitches) which fit newborn I just wanted other advise from anyone who have made smaller size hats?? Many Thanks
Hi Siobhain, each pattern will specify the CO stitches for the preemie size. Gauge, yarn weight, and needle size can change the CO sts, so it’s best to do either what you’re familiar with or what a pattern says. For instance, Barra Marled Hat, which I wrote, uses 44 sts on 4mm needles using a strand of DK and a strand of sock knit as one. But if you knit a lot of preemie hats for your local hospital or charity, you may prefer this pattern and its advice. Good luck. Can’t wait to see what you knit.
Thankyou so much for your beautiful Beautiful knitting patterns…. I am going to have fun I will post some pics of my finished projects….. ‘Just one question about the tools’ 4mm/5mm needles, I haven’t tried the circular needles yet, can I use 4mm/5mm straight needles an follow the same project/pattern,?? Once again THANKYOU 🙂
My pattern is for circular needles, but the second one I posted may be knit flat. I’m not sure without downloading the pattern as it’s written by someone else. But there are definitely great Preemie hats knit flat and seamed.
Does that mean that I can still follow the same pattern with straight needles instead? I really like ‘your pattern’ I want to try and do it…. Sorry to be a nuisance. Thankyou for your lovely patterns and kind advise! 🙂
You can adapt my pattern to knit flat. Stockinette in the round is all knit stitches, but stockinette flat is knit and purl. Just an adjustment.
That’s great! Thankyou so much….. I’ll start it tomorrow if it turns out well 🤞 I will show you a picture if I can.
Thankyou 🙂
Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
I’ve made 6 hat’s from your pattern method using “circular needles” for the first time and they are STUNNING I just wish that I could show you pics of them! Thank you so much! I want to try learn how to knit Booties but cant find any easy patterns anywhere I want/need to learn more now I have a grandson on the way he’s due 11/01/21 👣 I cant thank you enough Evin 😊
Congratulations, Siobhan! On the grandson’s impending arrival and your hat knitting. Your hats could be a whole blog post on their own! You could always email me pics and I’m showcase them in a post. I have a free bootie knitting pattern too. It’s called Farran. http://evinok.com/?p=11880
Thankyou Evin. I can’t see your email address… This is Grandson number 3!….Thankyou for the booties pattern only “I don’t have dpn” unless i can use straight? Or Circular? …. what would you suggest? 😊
Ah yes, the DPNs. I have an unpublished booties pattern knit flat and seamed. I’ll take a look to see if it’s close enough to done to send along to you.
Thankyou very much appreciate it….
Thank you for premie knitted clothing. My son weighed 1.35kg at birth..and after a month in hospital he came home & i had nothing that fitted him. Bless my mom she knitted doll clothes for him. So now I’m passionate about kniiting for the wee wee onesh
I enjoyed the great article.
Great write-up
There’s certainly a great deal of options. Thanks.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog when I searched for this.
It’s amazing in support of me and other NICU charity knitters.
I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. What yarn to use and what pattern is best to knit? Appreciate it!|
Bookmarked.
magnificent points altogether, you just won a new reader.
what would you recommend in regards to washable yarn for these patterns?
Helpful. Thanks!
I couldn’t resist commenting. Great list!