30 Free Preemie Crochet Patterns for Donation – Join the Challenge
I am so excited to welcome you to this year’s Preemie Crochet Challenge. It is an annual event dedicated to spreading handmade love to the tiniest of babies. This is our sixth year of coming together as a crochet community, and every year I am blown away by your generosity, talent, and commitment to making a difference. Preemie crochet holds such a special place in my heart, and it’s truly inspiring to see how one simple stitch can bring comfort to families with little ones in the NICU.
Throughout the month of September, I’ll be teaming up with a wonderful group of crochet designers to bring you 30 free preemie crochet patterns. Each day, a new pattern will be released as a free PDF download for at least 24 hours. From tiny hats and blankets to sweet little booties and bonding squares, these patterns are carefully designed with preemies in mind – soft, practical, and perfectly suited for delicate newborn needs.
Your Pledge – Crochet and Donate
The challenge is simple, but powerful: for every free pattern you download, I ask you to pledge to crochet at least one item from it and donate it. You can gift your makes to your local NICU, a charity, or even directly to a family in need.
Over the years, thousands of handmade preemie items have been donated through this challenge—each one carrying warmth, love, and hope. Imagine the difference we can make together again this year!
How to Join the Preemie Crochet Challenge
✨ Check back here daily. By 10am BST each morning I’ll update this post with the new featured free preemie crochet pattern.
✨ Download the pattern within 24 hours to grab your free PDF copy.
✨ Crochet at least one item and donate it to spread the love.
You need to be looking for these buttons on the blog posts:
It’s that easy. And by taking part, you’ll be part of a global community of crocheters making a real impact.
Stay Connected
Don’t miss out on the fun (or any of the patterns)! You can:
- ✅ Sign up for my newsletter to get daily or weekly reminders straight to your inbox
- ✅ Join our Facebook community to share your makes and cheer each other on
- ✅ Follow along on Instagram for inspiration and sneak peeks
Choosing the Right Yarn
If you’re planning to donate, please make sure you’re using suitable yarns for preemie crochet projects. I’ve written a helpful guide on choosing safe, soft, and washable yarns for baby projects. Nothing’s worse than pouring your heart into a make, only to find out the yarn isn’t suitable for donations.
You can find my blog post about choosing the best yarns for baby projects here.
What Are Bonding Squares?
Each year I love to highlight bonding squares. There are a small but mighty preemie crochet pattern that can bring huge comfort. These squares are made in pairs. A mother (or father) keeps one close to her skin so it carries her scent, then the matching square is placed with her baby in the NICU. The process is then repeated, creating a comforting connection when physical contact isn’t always possible.
Bonding squares are quick, simple, and deeply meaningful. I have free printable tags you can attach to your sets before donating. It’s a thoughtful finishing touch that families truly appreciate.
Together, let’s make September a month of compassion, creativity, and community. I can’t wait to see what you’ll crochet, donate, and share in this year’s Preemie Crochet Challenge. Thank you for showing once again the incredible power of handmade love. 💕
Today’s featured pattern:
Salt Water Taffy Cardigan by MBTCreates
The Salt Water Taffy Cardigan is beginner friendly, and starts with four simple granny squares. Each section is built on the one before leaving very little finishing to do at the end. Adorable in color changing DK weight yarn.
Coupon Code: Taffy
This will be a Free PDF Pattern until the end of September, after which it is forever free not he blog post.
Still has a free pdf download:
Misty Days Blanket by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
This blanket comes in 9 sizes and is perfect for all skill levels as it only uses the basic stitches to create this gorgeous texture and border.
With the smaller sizes the pattern is written to only have the border on 3 sides so babies don’t get their fingers stuck in the gaps! For larger sizes you have the option of a border on 3 or 4 sides.
Click the picture to go to the blog post.
Free pdf download until the end of the event! Be sure to use the special event button.
Hopscotch Hat By Green Fox Farms Designs
This sweet hat pattern has been designed in several preemie sizes by Lisa. It uses crossed double crochets to create the texture and is made top down so works up quickly.
Coupon Code: not needed
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to Lisa’s post.
Esperanza Preemie Blanket by Underground Crafter
Esperanza is an easy crochet preemie blanket pattern that has a gentle texture. The blanket itself is made with a simple one row repeat and the border uses a different common stitch combination. Make yours with multicolored yarn or with a solid color yarn for different looks.
Coupon Code: ESB2025
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and look for the special event button.
The Sunny Preemie Baby Blanket Pattern by Carroway Crochet
The Sunny Preemie Baby Blanket is perfect for a small preemie baby and has a beautiful texture and makes up into a very soft and cozy blanket to wrap a precious preemie baby in. I used Loops and Threads Impeccable Speckle Yarn in the colour Sunrise.
Coupon Code: preemie25
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and look for the special event button.
Oakes Beanie by OVC Designs
The Oakes Beanie is full of texture and simplicity. It is crocheted flat into a rectangle which is folded and seamed, then the brim is crocheted in the round and the top of the hat is sewn shut.
Coupon Code: oakes25
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and look for the special event button.
Baby Lovey Crochet Pattern by Sandra Stitches
Dive into cuddles with this adorable Ocean Dreams baby lovey! Featuring a sweet crocheted face and soft blue wave pattern, this handmade comfort blanket is perfect for little ones who will love the sea
Coupon Code: not needed
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and look for the special event button near the bottom of the post.
Baby Booties by Pam’s Cozy Corner
Looking for a heartfelt handmade gift? Crochet baby booties never go out of style. Their timeless design makes them a wardrobe essential for every little bundle of joy. Soft, stylish, and easy to slip on, these booties will quickly become a favorite for both babies and parents.
Coupon Code: BOOTIES25
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and look for the special event button near the bottom of the post.
Tumble Creek Beanie by High Desert Yarn
The Tumble Creek Beanie is an easy, quick working crochet pattern. It’s based off of the Half Double Crochet Stitch to create a unique texture with a simple design. This will be your new go-to pattern for babies, kids, and adults.
Coupon code: not needed – direct download from Joanna’s website. Just look for the special yellow event button.
This pattern will be a free download for the duration of this event, after which it will be a free pattern on the blog post.
Valle Preemie Bonding Squares by Ambassador Crochet
Bonding Squares are most certainly small but mighty projects to make for preemies – especially those who are too fragile to held by their parents. And they give mum (and dad) something practical to do when they may feel helpless to do anything. They allow them to bond with their baby through smell. See my info above for more information.
And if you make them in cotton, they can be used as washcloths when they are no longer needed as bonding squares!
Coupon Code: not needed as you will get a direct download from the website.
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post.
Granny’s Snuggle Preemie Lovey by MadameStitch
Wrap the tiniest fighters in love with this preemie blanket, combining the timeless granny square with the playful bobble stitch for a quick yet meaningful make. Crafted with soft, hypo-allergenic yarn, it offers parents peace of mind and gives premature babies cozy snuggles wrapped in care.
Coupon Code: not needed as you will get a direct download from the website.
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the blog post.
No Sew Easy Crochet Octopus Pattern by The Nomad Knot
Did you know that these octopi in NICU or Neo-natal units actually help calm babies and slow their heart-rates? Making their recovery much easier. It is believed that the tentacles remind baby of the umbilical cord. Isn’t that amazing?!
Coupon Code: not needed – direct download but you must click the special event button!
Free pdf download until the end of the event and then it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to Ana’s post.
Sweet Petite Preemie Beanie by Simply Melanie Jane
The Sweet Petite Preemie Beanie is a quick and easy preemie crochet beanie with lots of warmth and love in every stitch.
Coupon Code: SWEETPETITE
This pattern is a free pdf download until the end of the event, after that it will be forever free on the blog post.
Click the photo to go to the post.
Misty Days Preemie Baby Beanie by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
This pattern matches the Misty Days Blanket from the first day of this Challenge. It primarily uses basic stitches so beginners with a good grasp of how to work the basic stitches can give this one a go. Written in 4 different preemie sizes this one is not yet available in my shops.
Coupon Code: Not Needed – direct download.
This will be a Free PDF Pattern until the end of the event.
Little Luminary Hat by American Crochet
This sweet little hat is perfect for beginners as it uses only basic stitches to create this adorable but simple pattern.
Coupon code – not needed. This is a direct download from Misty’s website so you will need to follow the check out process.
This will be a free pdf download until the end of the event.
The Spice Bonnet by The Mother Lode
The Spice Bonnet is a cozy, textural bonnet perfect for frolicking in fall weather, and sweet enough for those precious newborn photos!
Prescilla has also written this one for several sizes not just preemie so this is a design that you will make a few times!
Coupon Code: not needed – this is a direct download from the website.
Click the photo to check it out!
Little Luminary Bonding Square by American Crochet
The Little Luminary Bonding Square perfectly matches the Little Luminary Hat from a few days ago!
Bonding squares are amazing items to crochet for NICUs and hospitals. You can find out more about them and grab the tags to explain what they are for the hospitals above.
Coupon code: Not needed
Click the photo to check it out and look for the special event button.
Navy Stripes Baby Blanket by Raffamusa Designs
The Navy Stripes Baby Blanket uses easy stitches and a fun navy stripe pattern that make this blanket a simple and relaxing project for both beginners and advanced crocheters. The pattern comes in two sizes for a preemie baby blanket and a standard baby blanket.
Coupon Code: NAVYSTRIPES
Click the photo. This will be a Free PDF Pattern download until 11:59pm EST on 30th September 2025. After that it is a free pattern on the blog post.
Free pattern available on the blog post (no longer a free pdf download):
C2C Moss Stitch Bonding Square by Raffamusa Designs
This crochet corner-to-corner (C2C) moss stitch bonding square is a simple and elegant idea that will help mother-preemie bonding during the difficult days of NICU stay.
*I have a link for free printable tags for bonding squares above!
This pattern is now forever free on the blog post.
Heirloom of Heritage Crochet Baby Blanket by Morine’s Shop
Stitch hope into every row with the Heirloom of Heritage Blanket. A beginner-friendly filet crochet baby blanket with a starry effect, inspired by God’s promise to Abram. A timeless handmade gift for celebrating new life.
This pattern is now free on the blog post only. Click the photo to go to the blog post.
Paid pattern only:
Penelope Lovey by Owl B Hooked
The Penelope Lovey Pattern features a sweet elephant motif with a heart gently rising from her trunk — a symbol of hope, strength, and comfort. Elephants are often seen as symbols of strength, protection, and good luck — and they also represent deep family bonds, making this design especially meaningful for babies and their parents. Worked in sport weight yarn, and small enough to be comforting without overwhelming, the size and weight of this lovey make it especially meaningful as a donation project for preemies in the NICU. So whether you’re making it as a gift, or to share with families in need, this pattern lets your stitches carry love where it’s needed most.
Click the photo to check it out!
The Alex Onesie by The Fairythorne
Ciara has designed this great little body suit for a variety of sizes. It uses basic stitches so new crocheters confident with the stitches can Gove this one a go!
A onesie bodysuit for sizes 12 inch to 22 inch, preemie to age 2-3 years. A sweet little onesie in simple moss stitch.
Click the photo to find out more about this pattern and get the shop links!
Next pattern will be available by 10am BST tomorrow.
Hi! I’m Helen
I live on the north-east coast of England, UK. I am a mum and wife and enjoy reading and quilting. I started crocheting at 14 years old.
Sunflower Cottage Crochet is dedicated to empowering crocheters of all levels. I provide modern, easy-to-follow crochet patterns and video tutorials that make learning new techniques simple and accessible. My mission is to empower crocheters in their creativity, enabling them to confidently create beautiful projects no matter where they’re at in their journey. Whether it's a beginner seeking out the basics or an experienced enthusiast looking to level up their skills. My vision is for every user to experience the joy of mastering creative expression through crochet!
