Yay! This is the second post of the year for the 2017 GrannySpiration Challenge! I am so excited to see what everyone has been working on, especially you! At the end of this post, you will find the information for this month’s giveaway, and link up.
I have been receiving newsletters from The Preemie Project for quite some time now, and have noted down ideas, and started and stopped my fair share of patterns, but I decided it was finally time to start poppin’ them out.
I am calling this one Chunky-Like even though it uses worsted weight yarn, because on a preemie baby, worsted weight is going to appear large and chunky. I do not suggest using #5 chunky/bulky yarn for preemie hats.
Please make sure to stop by our other co-host and see what they’ve been working on too. In the image above, you’ll find their projects (and mine) from last month’s challenge.
Sandra from Hakelfieber Austria (in German)
Sigrid from Kat Kat Katoen
Jenny from Crochet is the Way
Rhelena from Crochet n Crafts
Rachel from The Philosopher’s Wife
Materials:
– Small Amount of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Red Heart’s Soft Yarn in Really Red, White and Rosy Blush
– I9/5.5mm Crochet Hook
– #18 Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends
Material Notes:
If you use a different yarn, make sure you find a soft acrylic or cotton blend – do not use wool. Choose something that you know can withstand being machine washed and dried multiple times, because it most likely will be. Aside from the Red Heart Soft, you may also like to try Deborah Norville’s Everyday Soft.
I am estimating you can make 8-10 hats or so per skein of Red Heart’s Soft – maybe even a couple more depending on the size you are working.
Time Spent:
I had the 1-1 1/2 lb and 2-3 lb sizes done in just under 15 minutes each, the 3-5 lb done in just under 20 minutes and the 6-8 lb hat done in just under 30 minutes. That less than an hour and a half for all four!
Measurements:
The 1 – 1 1/2 lb size has a crown of 2 1/2″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 7 7/8″ to fit a head size of 8″ – 9 1/4″, and is 3 1/8″ in length.
The 2 – 3 lb size has a crown of 3 1/4″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 10 1/4″ to fit a head size of 9 3/4″ – 11″, and is also 3 1/2″ in length.
The 3 – 5 lb size has a crown of 3 1/2″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 11″ to fit a head size of 11 1/4″ – 12 3/4″, and is 4 1/2″ in length.
The 6 – 8 lb size has a crown of 4 1/8″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 13″ to fit a head size of 13″ – 14″, and is 5 1/8″ in length.
*Stretch depends on your yarn brand selected. The Red Heart Soft (and Everyday Soft) yarn has about an inch to an inch and a half, while a yarn such as Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn has about two inches worth. Typically, I work my hats two inches smaller than needed to account for the stretch, but following the Preemie Project guidelines, they would like each hat to be just one inch smaller than the given sizes and so I have worked this pattern accordingly.
Gauge:
With Soft Yarn and an I9/5.5mm Crochet Hook = 4″ x 4″:
Chain 19, DC in the 4th chain, and in each stitch across. (16 DC)
R2 – R8: Chain 2, turn. DC in the 2nd DC and in each DC across.
Fasten Off.
Abbreviations:
SC – Single Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
Pattern Notes:
Beginning chain 2 does not count as a stitch in the crown, but does in the body of the hat. Beginning chain 1 in the last round does not count as a stitch.
Join to the first stitch of each round, unless otherwise stated.
Crown is worked (and written) in a non-traditional manner to help keep seam straight. You will work the last stitch of the round into the same place as the first stitch, however, it will be on the right side of the beginning chain.
The last round of each hat is a round of single crochet’s. I personally like how the round of single crochet creates a nice, crisp finish, and I feel provides a better fit for the hats. The Preemie Project is concerned that a round of single crochet’s will make the hat opening to tight to fit over the baby’s head, so make sure you work this round loosely. If you tend to crochet tighter, you may want to omit this round or perhaps work it with a hook size bigger.
02.26.17 Update: A couple days after I posted this, Linda of The Preemie Project contacted me to say my sizes were a little off. I misinterpreted the information on the site, using the given sizes as the head sizes instead of the hat sizes, and took off an extra inch and then designed my hats. If you worked up some hats using my previous pattern, don’t fret. Acrylic yarn has about two inches worth of stretch so I am confident they still would stretch to fit, but from now on, I have readjusted my pattern and the sizes above to reflect the guidelines of The Preemie Project.
Patterns:
1 – 1 1/2 lbs:
Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 11 DC into the ring. Join. (11 DC)
R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 10 DCs around. Join. (21 DC)
R3: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 6x. Join. (7 clusters)
R4 – 5: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 6x. Join. (7 clusters)
R6: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 6x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (7 clusters)
R7: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 20 DCs around. Join. (21 SC)
Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.
2 – 3 lbs:
Chain 4. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 9 DC into the ring. Join. (9 DC)
R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 8 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (18 DC)
R3: Chain 2. DC into the first 2 DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (27 DC)
R4: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 8x. Join. (9 clusters)
R5 – 6: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 8x. Join. (9 clusters)
R7: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 8x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (9 clusters)
R8: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 26 DCs around. Join. (27 SC)
Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.
3 – 5 lbs:
Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 11 DC into the ring. Join. (11 DC)
R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 10 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (22 DC)
R3: Chain 2. DC into the first 2 DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 10x, DC into the first DC. Join. (33 DC)
R4: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 10x. Join. (11 clusters)
R5 – 8: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 10x. Join. (11 clusters)
R9: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 10x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (11 clusters)
R10: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 32 DCs around. Join. (33 SC)
Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.
6 – 8 lbs:
Chain 4. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 9 DC into the ring. Join. (9 DC)
R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 8 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (18 DC)
R3: Chain 2. DC into the first two DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (27 DC)
R4: Chain 2. DC into the first three DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next two DCs) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (36 DC)
R5: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 11x. Join. (12 clusters)
R6 – 10: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 11x. Join. (12 clusters)
R11: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 11x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (12 clusters)
R12: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 35 DCs around. Join. (36 SC)
Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.
A set of these hats work up in less than an hour and a half, and don’t take much yarn. Please take time to work up at least a set, and send in to either The Preemie Project or your local baby hospital.
Please feel free to make and sell your own Chunky-Like Preemie Granny Square Beanies using this pattern, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead.
Share your version of these beanies on Ravelry – Chunky-Like Preemie Granny Square Beanies. Check out the EyeLoveKnots Ravelry page to keep track of all your EyeLoveKnots favorites in your que, and share your WIPS and finished projects!
Linking Up To…
February 2017 Sharing Time – Raising Memories
Link Your Stuff! – Annemarie’s Haakblog
Nifty Thrifty Sunday #268 from Nifty Thrifty Things
Craft Schooling Sunday from Creative Jewish Mom
6 Valentine Treats & Inspiration Monday – Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
Tutorials & Tips Link Party {291} – Home Stories A to Z
Create Link Inspire Linky Party #167 – The Crafty Blog Stalker
The Creative Corner Link Up Party – Curly Crafty Mom
Show and Tell Link Party – Flamingo Toes, Sugar Bee Crafts
From Dream to Reality #253 – The DIY Dreamer
The Linky Ladies – The Community Link Party #90 – The Purple Poncho
Talk of the Town #58 – Sadie Seasongoods
Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party #119 – Live Randomly Simple
362nd Inspire Me Tuesday – A Stroll Thru Life
Fiber Tuesday 97 – Quilting Room with Mel
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party #149 – Lou Lou Girls
TOO Cute Tuesday Link Par-Tay #323 – Funky Polkadot Giraffe
{Wow Me} Wednesday #285 – Ginger Snap Crafts
Hookin’ on Hump Day #136 – Petals to Picots, Moogly Blog
Your Whims Wednesday #293 – My Girlish Whims
Simple Home Decor to Love, I’m Lovin It – Tidy Mom
Best Friday Features – the 36th Avenue, Tatertots and Jello
Creativity Unleashed No. 159 – Practically Functional
Best of the Weekend – Hello Little Home, Little Miss Celebration
Funtastic Friday 113 Link Party – Olives & Okras
This Month’s Giveaway is sponsored by EyeLoveKnots (that’s me!). One winner will receive two skeins of Yarn Bee’s Andres Alpaca Yarn in the Foxglove colorway! In last month’s link up, someone said they’d love to see some Alpaca (or Yak) yarn, so here I am to deliver! This yarn is so soft! And the colorway is close to Lavender, which I thought would be perfect for the upcoming Spring season. This is a worsted weight #4 yarn, of 120 yards/100 grams per skein, and is comprised of 70% Acrylic and 30% Alpaca.
Must be 18 or older to enter. Open to all countries. Void where prohibited. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen. EyeLoveKnots is responsible for prize fulfillment.
The three most viewed projects from last month’s challenge can be found in the image above. From left to right, top to bottom: Poncho for Joanie from Linda’s Crafty Corner, Purple Granny Square Afghan from In and Around My House, and Scarf Month/sjaal van de maand from Kruissteekmieke
New Granny-Spiration Projects will be shared from your hosts the first Saturday of each month. Post times will vary. You will be able to link up from 9am EST on the first Saturday of the month, through 11:59pm EST on the second Thursday from the start date – specific dates are on top of the Rafflecopter form – giving you almost two weeks to link up and enter the giveaway!
Please share projects that are family friendly, and GRANNY INSPIRED through use of regular granny square or solid granny square, granny stitch pattern or other afghan square in the form of a free pattern, pattern review, or inspiration piece. Not limited to crochet or knit.
Please make sure to link to your post, and not your home page.
*If you don’t have a blog, you can still share with us by creating a Free Flickr Account – powered by Yahoo. Add your projects there, and then come back here with the link for the project.
*Link ups cannot be to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where patterns are sold. You can link to blog posts, Flickr or Facebook pages, Pins, etc that are directed towards it, but can’t directly link to it.
To be clearer though, Raverly pages of finished projects are okay to share. Sorry for the inconvenience! That’s per InLinkz guidelines. Thanks!
Features may be chosen at the discretion of each host. By linking up, you give us permission to feature your item.
This is such a quick and easy project that's great for donation! I've wanted to do this for so long, but I worry about the contaminates in my home going to sick little ones. I'm so glad there are others like you that can help the program!
I've been thinking about making premie hats for awhile. I just recently perfected my hat making skills.
If I won the yarn I would make a nice cowl to keep me toasty warm!
Oh my, that beanie looks so tiny! But it would fit a newborn baby and is so cute! Love the idea 🙂
Have a nice day, Sigrid
That beanie looks lovely! I never attempted to make one; maybe now is the time to try it out 🙂 Thanks for inviting me!
Demi
http://madebydemi.com/
Cuties !!!!
Hug
Anna
i CAN SEE MAKING SOMETHING FOR MY DAUGHTERS OR THE GRANDCHILDREN. i DONT EVEN KNOW THE SKYS THE LIMIT AND i HAVE BEEN WANTING TO TRY SOME FOR SOMETIME NOW i SURE HOPE i WIN. iT WOULD BE VER;Y EXCITING FOR ME TO SAY THE LEAST lol!
tHANKS FOR ALL YOU DO & ALL YOUR HARD WORK i APPRECIATE IT!
I Love YARN Giveaways!!!!
Thank you for your visit on my blog.It's nice to meet you and your lovely work…
Thanks for letting me link up! Some really great things on here. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!
Lisa
Adorable little hats! 🙂
How adorable are these! Oh, I wish I knew how to knit. 🙂
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
What an adorable pattern. I bet that'll make parents of preemies feel really good when they receive that.
hat baby stuff
thank you for visiting my blog, very happy to join !
These hats are adorable! I love them. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
I am going to take a chance and hpe you see this question. When you changed the instructions for this hat did you forget to change the instructions for the 1 – 3 lb hat. you have it starting with 9 DC instead of “ like all the others. I have crocheted it 4 times andfrogged it 4 times. the following is the link I use to your pattern.
https://eyeloveknots.com/2017/02/chunky-like-preemie-granny-square.html
Oh shoot! I don’t know what happened there. Let me work up some samples to resolve them.
Thank you, I I absolutely love this pattern and have made quite a few in the other 2 sizes. Looking forward to making some in 2-3 lb size as well. I will continue to check back here for the fix. Thanks again.