Looking for a quick and useful crochet preemie pattern? The free Ellis Bonding Square comes in 2 sizes and features beautiful texture with a simple stitch repeat.

Perfect for preemie donations, NICU projects or even as a crochet washcloth, this small stash-friendly pattern is a lovely way to put your crochet skills to good use.

A Small Crochet Preemie Pattern That Can Make a Big Difference

There is something rather special about those little crochet projects that don’t require much yarn or take days to make, but can still have a meaningful purpose.

The Ellis Bonding Square is exactly that kind of project.

Designed in two sizes, these little squares are quick to crochet, wonderfully textured and a great addition to your preemie crochet projects. They also gave me another opportunity to expand my growing Ellis Collection – something I have thoroughly enjoyed doing!

And if you don’t need a bonding square? Don’t scroll away just yet. The larger size also makes a lovely little crochet washcloth, so there are plenty of reasons to add this pattern to your project list.

Whether you are crocheting for a premature baby, making items to donate to your local NICU or simply looking for a small project to use up some of your yarn stash, I hope you enjoy making the Ellis Bonding Square.

What Is a Crochet Bonding Square?

If you haven’t come across bonding squares before, they are small crocheted or knitted squares that can be used by parents and their premature babies while baby is receiving neonatal care.

Typically, one square is kept close to the parent and another close to baby, allowing their scents to transfer to the fabric. The squares can then be swapped.

There is a little more to know about bonding squares – including how they are used and some important considerations when making them for premature babies – so I have a complete guide to crochet bonding squares here.

[INTERNAL LINK: What Are Crochet Bonding Squares? – add link when published]

For this post, though, we’re going to concentrate on making the Ellis!

The Inspiration Behind the Ellis Bonding Square

The Ellis Collection started with the Ellis Blanket and has grown into a collection of beautifully textured crochet patterns.

One of the things I love about this stitch combination is how much texture you can create without making the pattern overly complicated.

For the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge, I had already added the Ellis Preemie Mitts and Ellis Preemie Beanie to the collection. A bonding square felt like a natural next addition.

Bonding squares are small, practical projects and don’t require much yarn, making them particularly good for using those smaller amounts left in your stash.

More importantly, they’re another way we crocheters can use our skills to make something with a purpose.

I also wanted this design to be useful beyond preemie crochet. Not everyone has somewhere locally that accepts bonding squares, and donation guidelines can vary considerably. By including two sizes, the larger square can easily have a second life as a washcloth.

Small project, several possibilities. Those are always handy patterns to have tucked away!

Construction and That Gorgeous Ellis Texture

The Ellis Bonding Square is worked flat in rows.

If you have already made the Ellis Preemie Mitts or Ellis Preemie Beanie, you will recognise the stitch combination used here. It creates the gorgeous texture that ties the Ellis Collection together.

The pattern uses single crochet two together (sc2tog).

If sc2tog is new to you, don’t let it put you off! I have a complete step-by-step tutorial showing you how to crochet the sc2tog stitch, including what it does, where you might find it in crochet patterns and how it can be used to create texture rather than simply decrease your stitch count.

This is a great little project for confident beginners who are ready to move beyond the basic crochet stitches and try something slightly different. Because the project is small, you get plenty of practice without committing yourself to 47 rows of something before deciding whether you actually enjoy it!

The Ellis Bonding Square and the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge

The Ellis Bonding Square was designed as part of my 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge.

Throughout September, the Preemie Crochet Challenge brings together crochet designers and crocheters to make useful items for premature babies and the organisations that support them.

Each day during the challenge, a different crochet preemie pattern is featured, giving crocheters plenty of inspiration for items they can make and donate.

The Ellis Bonding Square joins my Ellis Preemie Mitts and Ellis Preemie Beanie as part of this year’s challenge.

If you’ve joined me for the challenge this year, I would love to know what you’ve been making!

Pattern Information: Sizes, Yarn, Materials, Gauge & Skills

Here’s everything you need to know before you grab your hook.

Sizes

The Ellis Bonding Square crochet pattern is written in 2 sizes (bonding square and washcloth):

• If you are making the bonding square it will be approximately 5” square.
• Once completed your washcloth will be approximately 8” square without the border or approximately 8.75” square with the border.

If you don’t need a bonding square – or you simply enjoy the Ellis texture and want another excuse to use it – make the larger size as a crochet washcloth.

For washcloths, I particularly like using cotton yarn. It is practical, washable and shows off textured stitches beautifully.

Make several and you have a lovely reusable set for your bathroom or kitchen. They can also make thoughtful handmade gifts, especially when paired with a favourite soap or other little self-care treats.

And because they don’t require a huge amount of yarn, crochet washcloths are also fantastic stash-busting projects.

Yarn

Amount required: #4 weight cotton yarn of your choosing – you will need approx. 65 yards for one washcloth or 69 yards for 2 bonding squares.

When making bonding squares for donation, always check the requirements of the hospital, NICU or organisation you intend to donate them to before choosing your yarn. Individual organisations may have their own requirements regarding fibres, colours, sizing and laundering.

If you are making a washcloth size I will always recommend that you use cotton yarn for this because it is super strong, the colours are less likely to run when wet, it holds it shape and can be washed at higher temperatures for hygiene reasons.

Materials

You will need:

• 5mm crochet hook
• yarn as above
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers, if desired

Gauge

Does not matter as long as tension is consistent. My gauge was 22 sts and 11 rows of pattern per 4”.

Skills Needed

You should be comfortable with:

• Chaining
• half double crochets
• Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog)
• Working in rows
• Turning your work
• Counting stitches

Special Stitches

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog):
This is worked over 2 sts. Insert hook into first st, YO and pull through, insert hook into next st, YO and pull through. YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 

You can find my informative blog post (including video and photo tutorials) on the sc2tog stitch at https://sunflowercottagecrochet.com/how-to-crochet-sc2tog-single-crochet-2-together-step-by-step/

Back Loop Only:

You will be working the SC2Tog into the back loop only. Here is a reminder of how to identify the back loop. The front and the back loops will sit at the top of your work.

Pattern Notes

• Written in US terms
• Chain 1 starts do not count as a stitch
• Ch1 after the sc2tog st do count as stitches.
• You do NOT sk1 after the ch1 following the sc2tog st. This maintains the st count.
• The stitch multiple for this washcloth is 2+1 for ch start  
• Where sizes differ they will be denoted as bonding square (washcloth)

Want the Ellis Preemie Patterns Together?

The Ellis Bonding Square will not be available to purchase individually as a PDF pattern.

Instead, at the beginning of October I will be releasing a handy Ellis Preemie Collection e-book, bringing the Ellis preemie patterns together in one convenient place.

So, if you’ve enjoyed making the bonding square, mitts or beanie and would prefer to have the patterns together in an easy-to-use PDF format, keep an eye out for the collection.

[SHOP LINK TO BE ADDED WHEN THE E-BOOK IS RELEASED]

Until then, you can make the Ellis Bonding Square using the free crochet pattern below.

Customising Your Ellis Bonding Square

Small projects are brilliant for experimenting with colour.

You could keep your Ellis Bonding Square simple and work it in one solid colour to really show off the texture, or introduce colour changes to highlight different sections of the stitch pattern.

Try:

• Soft neutrals for a timeless look
• Pastel shades for traditional baby makes
• Bright, cheerful colours
• Two contrasting colours
• Coordinating colours for matching pairs
• Leftover yarn from another Ellis project

If you are making your squares specifically for donation, remember that the organisation receiving them may have its own guidelines, so check those before choosing your yarn and colours.

If you’re making the washcloth version, however, you can raid that stash with abandon!

Free Ellis Bonding Square Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations

•  Ch(s) – chain(s).             
• St(s) – stitch(es)             
• SC- single crochet          
• HDC – half double crochet
• SC2Tog – single crochet 2 together
• BLO – back loop only
• Sk – skip
• YO – yarn over
• FO – Fasten off

Row 1:           Ch 33 (43), sk first 2 chains (counts as a HDC), *SC2tog over next 2 sts, ch1* Rep from * to * across until you have 1 st remaining, HDC in last st. 

(30 (40) sts – 2(2) HDC, 14 (19) SC2Tog, 14 (19) Ch1)

Note: remember you do NOT sk1 after the ch1 st. This maintains the st count and creates a square washcloth.

Row 2:           Turn, Ch1, HDC in first st, *SC2tog over next 2 sts, ch1* Rep from * to * across until you have 1 st remaining, HDC in last st.

(30 (40) sts – 2(2) HDC, 14 (19) SC2Tog, 14 (19) Ch1)

Rows 3 on:   Rep row 2 until your bonding square / washcloth is square.

If you are going to work a border do not FO.

If you are not working a border, FO and weave in ends.

Optional border:

You may not need a border but if you decide to I recommend a simple 1 round of HDC. Of course, for you bonding squares you might want to substitute the HDC sts for SC sts instead!

Turn, Ch1, work 2 HDC in first st, HDC in each st across to the last st of the row. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC]

Turn your work 90 degrees so you are working down the side, and work HDC evenly down the side until you reach the final st of the side (I found 5 sts every 4 rows worked well for me. If you work too many, your edge will start to ruffle, too few and your edge will kink in on itself). In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC].

Turn your work so you are now working along the bottom of your blanket. HDC in each st across to the last st of the row. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2, 2HDC].

Turn your work 90 degrees so you are working up the final side, and work HDC evenly up the side until you reach the final st of the side. In the last st work [2HDC, CH2,]. SS to first HDC to join.

Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.

If your square would benefit from blocking, gently block it to the finished measurements given above.

If you are donating your bonding squares, follow any washing, blocking or preparation instructions provided by the organisation that will receive them.

More Than Just a Little Square

Sometimes the smallest crochet projects can be some of the most worthwhile.

The Ellis Bonding Square is quick to make, doesn’t require much yarn and gives you an opportunity to practise a lovely textured stitch combination while creating something genuinely useful.

And because this free crochet preemie pattern comes in two sizes – with the larger square doubling beautifully as a crochet washcloth – it’s a versatile little pattern to keep in your crochet library.

If you’re taking part in the Preemie Crochet Challenge, thank you for joining us and using your crochet skills to support premature babies and their families. Every project made represents someone’s time, care and kindness.

And if you’re here purely because you fancied a new washcloth? You’re very welcome too. There are no crochet police checking what you do with your squares!

More Crochet Bonding Square Patterns You May Enjoy

If you enjoy making the Ellis Bonding Squares, I have several other crochet bonding square patterns you might like to add to your donation-making list. My Brick by Brick Bonding Square is a wonderfully textured option and is another design that can also be used as a practical washcloth, while my other bonding square designs give you the opportunity to experiment with different stitches and textures on a small, manageable project. Bonding squares are brilliant for practising new crochet techniques, using smaller amounts of yarn and creating something meaningful without committing to a larger project. Just remember to check that your chosen NICU, hospital or charity currently accepts bonding squares—and their requirements for size and yarn—before you start making.

Free bonding square patterns:

Brick by Brick Bonding Square / Washcloth

Little Dots Bonding Square / Washcloth

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crochet bonding square?

A bonding square is a small crocheted or knitted square that may be used by a premature baby and their parent while the baby is receiving neonatal care.

You can learn more about what bonding squares are, how they may be used and what you should consider before making them in my dedicated guide to crochet bonding squares.

What size should a crochet bonding square be?

There is no single size accepted by every hospital or organisation. The Ellis Bonding Square is provided in two sizes, but if you are making one for donation, always check the current requirements of your intended recipient first.

What yarn should I use for crochet bonding squares?

Requirements can vary between hospitals and organisations, so check their guidelines before choosing your yarn. This is particularly important when crocheting items intended for premature babies.

Is this crochet preemie pattern suitable for beginners?

The Ellis Bonding Square is a good project for a confident beginner who knows the basic crochet stitches and is ready to try sc2tog.

If you’ve never worked a single crochet two together before, my step-by-step SC2tog crochet tutorial will help you master it.

Can I use the Ellis Bonding Square pattern to make a washcloth?

Absolutely! The larger size makes a lovely textured crochet washcloth. For washcloths, cotton yarn is a particularly practical choice because it is absorbent and easy to wash.

Can I use leftover yarn for this pattern?

Yes. The small size of the project makes it a great stash-busting crochet pattern. However, if you intend to donate the finished bonding square, make sure your yarn meets the requirements of the organisation receiving it.

Do bonding squares have to be made in pairs?

This can depend on how the hospital or organisation uses them. If you are crocheting specifically for donation, check their current guidelines before deciding how many to make.

Where can I get the PDF version of the Ellis Bonding Square?

The Ellis Bonding Square will not be sold as an individual PDF. Instead, the Ellis preemie patterns will be brought together in the Ellis Preemie Collection e-book, which is due to be available at the beginning of October.

Links will be added here once the collection is available.