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Hand-Painted Preemie Hat

I love buying hand-painted yarn, but then I’m inevitably disappointed when I knit it up. The gorgeous, vibrant colours suddenly pool or stripe in weird ways that make the ugliest little hats. But when I use a textural stitch, like seed stitch, suddenly the yarn regains its charm and the hat becomes delightful!

You can see how the stitches break up the lines of colour and give it an almost tweedy effect.

Top view

I’ve worked out the top decreases in the seed stitch pattern to keep the effect going right up to the top. I’ve tried decreasing in seed stitch a couple different ways over the years, but this pattern uses my favourite. I hope you like it, too.

The pattern for these little hats includes sizes from micropreemie up to a full-term newborn. You’ll need size 2 US needles for working in the round. I prefer using two circs, but any technique will do.

You can grab the free download here:
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8 thoughts on “Hand-Painted Preemie Hat

  1. I love these! Nice job! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  2. Any chance of this pattern being done flat? I’m still not comfy with dpns or magic loop. I know — it’s time for me to give both a try.
    I love this hat and would like to make it (them) for the charity knitting group to which I am a member.
    Thank you!

    1. Definitely! Just cast on the prescribed amount, but instead of joining to work in the round, work the stitches back and forth. It’s a simple seed-stitch pattern, so you should be able to adapt it easily to flat knitting. When you get to the decreases at the crown, work the decreases on the “right” side, and the wrong-side rows will be worked opposite to what the pattern says (exchanging knits for purls and vice versa). When it comes time to cut the yarn at the end, leave the tail longer so you can use it to sew down the side seam after you draw it through the last stitches. Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂

  3. I would love to make this for myself. Any chance of converting this to an adult size w/ larger needles and heavier yarn?

    1. Hi Hilda! Nope, not really. I have a bunch of other projects on the go. But an adult-sized hat normally casts on about the same number of sts in worsted weight on size 7 US needles. A preemie hat is basically a tiny version of an adult hat. So pick the cast-on number that’s closest to 100 sts and try that. Good luck! I’m glad you like it. 🙂

    2. Hilda, did you ever figure out the adult version of this ? I am interested but I am a new knitter and dont think I could change pattern by myself

      1. Have you guys tried checking on Ravelry? I typed in “seed stitch hat” and found a bunch in adult sizes in different weights of yarn. I’m sure there’d be something useful.

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