Preemie Hat (February)

February’s project in the BOBBOL 2013 Series

BOBBOL stands for Bits of Beads/Bits of Lace, and expands the popular Bits of Lace 2012 Series with additional types of small lace projects and the addition of projects for building skills in beading.

For February we are getting back to doing lace. I hope you enjoy Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat. This project is the first in BOBBOL 2013 to expand our scope of Bits of Lace beyond edgings into other types of small lace projects.


This preemie hat is simply knit flat back and forth on 2 needles. Your knitting friends won’t believe that you didn’t knit this hat circularly! What is clever is in the finishing, where the seam is sewn to mimic the herringbone lace stitch, and thus appears to be “seamless”. This pattern reveals the secret that makes this work.

If you missed the knit-along for Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat, you can purchase the pattern now and still take advantage of the free support articles for making this project.

Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat e-Pattern
This preemie hat is simply knit flat back and forth on 2 needles. What is clever is in the finishing, where the seam is sewn to mimic the herringbone lace stitch, and thus appears to be "seamless". The pattern reveals the secret that makes this work. Your knitting friends won't believe that you didn't knit this hat circularly!
Price: $5.00

Note: Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat is sized for premature babies, but you can easily upsize it for newborns (or larger) by adding pattern repeats or making with thicker yarn on larger size needles.

This month’s project is dedicated to Sally Brooke, an active member and officer of the New Orleans Half-Fast Knitting Guild. At her request and encouragement, I designed a collection of preemie cap patterns for our guild’s 1989 service project. The 2-Needle Preemie Hat is one of my favorites from that collection, and it holds fond memories of Sally. We all miss her buoyant laughter. RIP

Knit, learn, and enjoy the making!

p.s. If you are a new member and have not yet confirmed your newsletter invitation, be sure to do that so you do not get disconnected/removed from the system and can no longer access this site for members-only content. More info at The Key to Keeping Your Free Membership Active.

20 Responses to Preemie Hat (February)

  1. Robyn says:

    If you are a premium member do you have access to the patterns from previous month’s or do you still need to purchase since the month has ended.

    • jackiees says:

      Welcome to the group, Robyn. Glad to have you!

      Check the Premium Area for discount coupon on a different pattern selected each month from those in previous kal’s.

  2. Pingback: Changing the Number of Stitches for 2-Needle Preemie Hat | Knit HeartStrings

  3. Pingback: Making the 2-Needle Preemie Hat Larger by Using Thicker Yarn | Knit HeartStrings

  4. Pingback: Knitting the Preemie Hat Circularly :: Converting rows to rounds | Knit HeartStrings

  5. Pingback: Seaming the Preemie Hat | Knit HeartStrings

  6. Connie says:

    I like seeing the different steps but would also like to be able to print entire instructions in PDF all at one time . This enables me to keep the pattern for future use without logging in each time or having 4 different PDF’s.

    • jackiees says:

      You can print or save files for future use, but this free version will only be available through the end of February. So get what you need now. Most computers have the ability to combine files into one file. Or now that we have gotten through all parts, you can pull up the link with all parts combined.

  7. Pauline says:

    I love this pattern ,too. I bookmarked for now,but will
    knit this for my preemie knitting group.

  8. Pingback: Knitting the Crown of the Preemie Hat | Knit HeartStrings

  9. Martha Roseen says:

    Thank you for all the links to tips and techniques. . This is really the first time I have done a KAL properly ; I am learning so much finer detail by looking at all of them. I have been trying to learn new cast-ons, so when I have small projects or swatches I try a new one. The book I have has nicely labeled them into categories so for this I chose the slip knot, or Jeny’s stretchy cast on, do you think this will good? It says that in addition to being stretchy, it looks the same front and back.

    Also I wanted to say to people wanting to print out or save the pattern, download it and change it to pdf. In addition to having in my laptop now, I can also choose to view it in a larger size – nice for these old eyes!

  10. Mary Mauz says:

    The hat worked up quickly in a mint green acrylic. Leaving for the southwest so may have to wait to finish the seam.

  11. Barbara says:

    Thank you for the Preemie Hat Pattern. I downloaded it as a PDF and it is now on my iPad. I read thru the pattern… wow I haven’t used some of those stitches in many years, and some never at all. I have a lot to learn, a good learning experience.

  12. kathy fabre says:

    all of the things you post are so beautiful. i have been donating to a charity for preemies for several years and have wanted a pattern for something very pretty, not just your every day beanie. this is exactly what i have been waiting for and cannot wait to get started. want to find exactly the right yarn so the hat will look remarkable on this precious little one. God bless.

  13. Pingback: Tips and Techniques for Part 1 of the 2-Needle Preemie Hat | Knit HeartStrings

  14. Pingback: Pointers and Tips about Elasticity | Knit HeartStrings

  15. linda says:

    Jackie, thanks for sharing, this will make the cutest hat for spring. love it.

  16. DonnaK says:

    Love this preemie hat – so elastic and pretty – thank you. Can’t wait for next part.

  17. Pingback: Part 1 of the Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat has been posted | Knit HeartStrings

  18. Pingback: Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat | Knit HeartStrings

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