The Preemie Crochet Challenge 2024: Patterns perfect for Premature Babies
I am thrilled to welcome you to this year’s Preemie Crochet Challenge – an event dedicated to providing patterns for premature babies. This year marks our fifth year of coming together to create beautiful, handmade items for the tiniest fighters among us. As many of you know, preemie crochet holds a special place in my heart, and I am endlessly inspired by the generosity and talent within our community.
You can read why this crochet challenge is so important to me here.
Throughout the month of June, myself and some amazing crochet designer friends, are offering a selection of exclusive, FREE PDF patterns designed specifically for premature babies. These patterns are crafted with care, ensuring they are perfect for the delicate needs of little ones in NICUs.
Your Pledge:
The challenge is simple yet impactful: in return for each free pattern you download, I ask that you pledge to crochet at least one item from the pattern and donate it to a local NICU, charity, or family in need.
Our goal is to bring warmth, comfort, and a touch of handmade love to premature babies and their families. Over the past five years, we have collectively created thousands of items, from tiny hats and blankets to adorable booties and mittens, all of which have made a significant difference in the lives of those who receive them.
Join me in celebrating this milestone year of the Preemie Crochet Challenge.
Let’s make June a month of creativity, compassion, and community. Your participation not only spreads joy but also showcases the incredible power of our crochet community to make a real difference. Happy crocheting, and thank you for your continued support and generosity!
You can check out the patterns that featured in previous years’ events via the links below.
Preemie Crochet Challenge 2023
The Preemie Crochet Challenge 2022
Preemie Crochet Challenge 2021
And Preemie Crochet Challenge 2020.
Don’t miss out on the fun …
I would love for you to join our Community Facebook group and share your makes from this challenge or roundup!
You can get daily notifications for the featured patterns in any of our events in several ways.
- Sign up for our newsletter by clicking the buttons below. The events and Cals email goes out daily, the green button is for the weekly emails.
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- Join our Facebook Community
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Choosing your yarn
I have recently published a blog post about choosing the best yarns for baby projects. Please do have a read and make sure that any items or patterns for premature babies that you are planning on making and donating are made in a suitable yarn that can be used. It would be such a shame to pour your time and love into making items for preemie babies for the yarn to be unsuitable.
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT BONDING SQUARES?
Every year I like to tell you a little bit about what these small but mighty bonding squares are. And this year I have a free printable for you to download so that you can attach them to your bonding squares before you donate them. You will be surprised just how fantastic these special preemie baby crochet patterns can be!
I find bonding square to be quick and easy! They are made in pairs and are usually between 5″ and 7″ squares. When a baby can’t be held by mum, bonding squares help to create a connection between them. Mum wears one of them against her skin for a few hours. Her scent is transferred to the square. The square is then given to baby and mum gets the other square to repeat the process. Through this, the baby learns their mum’s scent and a bond between them is created. This is also a great way for mum to feel closer to her baby. And it gives her something practical to do when she cannot hold her baby. The Bonding Squares you crochet could help a mother and newborn through their loneliest points.
Once you have made a pair of bonding squares to donate, you can turn the bonding square into a washcloth! Simply use 4 weight (aran) yarn and a 5mm hook if the pattern called for 3 weight (DK) yarn and 4mm hook. I did this with one of my patterns this year and it turned out great! Alternatively, you can use your scraps and double strand your yarn. I have a post with a free printable to help you double strand your yarn here.
The Patterns for Premature Babies (2024):
To make it easier for you to find what you are looking for I have listed all of the patterns below.
- Patterns that are still free on the designer’s blog posts.
- Now premium (paid) only patterns.
Patterns that will always be free on the blog posts :
Sawyer’s Blanket by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
We use simple stitches of double crochets and half double crochets to create this absolutely stunning baby blanket. And I found it so therapeutic to work up.
It is written in 5 sizes from security to standard throw size.
Click the photo to go to the blog post and check out the story behind this pattern for premature babies!
The Junie Beanie by High Desert Yarn
This adorable hat is an easy one using basic stitches. What is great about it is the special touch added with the easy embroidery stitching. It is a great way to practice your needlework skills!
Click the photo to find out more.
Baby’s Breath Beanie by Kirsten Holloway Designs
The sweet little “Baby’s Breath” beanie pattern features a gorgeous floral design on the crown, with cluster stitches leading down to a delicate scalloped brim. These premature baby hats were specially designed using flat textures that are beautiful, but won’t irritate little heads. Crochet them with a soft fingering weight sock yarn of your choice.
Little Darling Preemie Sleep Sack by Jo’s Crafty Hook
Cocoon a baby up to 15lbs in this adorable sleep sack that can be made for any little darling.
This project will work up quickly and has an easy construction.
Tiny but Mighty Bonding Square by Crochets by Trista
Bonding Squares starting in Europe but are such a great way of helping both the preemie and parents bond when baby cannot be held!
And they can be used as washcloths later too!
Check out my info about bonding squares above and be sure to get your free bonding square tags too!
Simple Crochet Baby Booties by Pam’s Cozy Corner
Step into sweetness with these adorable crochet baby booties, made with love and ready to adorn tiny toes!
They are a great make to donate and a super pattern for premature babies!
Pepita Sampler Crochet Blanket by Underground Crafter
This crochet sampler baby blanket pattern is beginner friendly and includes the lemon peel stitch (also known as the pebble stitch) and a wave stitch. Sections of double crochet provide a flat “plane” to the “relief” of the textured stitch sections.
With no little holes for fingers and toes to get caught in this blanket is a great one to practice some stitches while making your donations or gifts!
Cluster Crochet Preemie Hat by MadameStitch
Provide comfort and warmth to the tiniest preemies with the Wee One Hat. Its simple stitches and top-down construction make it the perfect gift for donating.
Premature babies (and indeed babies in general) lose a lot of heat from their heads. So it is sometimes needed to cover them to protect them from getting too cold.
Labyrinth Bonding Square by Green Fox Farms Designs
The Labyrinth Lullaby Bonding Squares are so much fun to stitch up! Using a variety of stitches to create a bit of texture that creates a cozy square for baby and mom to snuggle with. You will enjoy making these bonding squares to donate and make a big difference in the lives of some special families!
Granny Square Bonding Squares by Carroway Crochet
Make these beginner friendly bonding squares with these easy to follow instructions. It uses the traditional granny square for the body of the square.
Bonding squares are so important for both babies and parents. They are essential patterns to crochet for premature babies and donations to a local NICU or preemie charity!
Happy Cuddles Baby Blanket by SandraStitches
There is lots of gorgeous texture in this baby blanket.
And it is easy to amend the size of this one to create a blanket of any size once you have made one to donate!
Lemon Peel Preemie Hat by Hooked for Life Publishing
The Lemon Peel hat is quick to stitch up in a DK weight cotton. It’s soft and comfy, with a little bit of texture, and will fit the preemie 1 size.
So why not raid your scrap bucket and make a couple of these to donate this year?
Click the photo to go to the pattern post.
Cielo Blanket by Ambassador Crochet
This beginner friendly blanket uses the grit stitch (one of my favourites) to create a gorgeous textured blanket. Written for 3 sizes, but the stitch multiple is included to make this one as big as you prefer!
Ombre Baby Blanket by Juniper and Oakes
A simple, yet gorgeous baby blanket crochet pattern using C2C crochet. Make in solid color, or self-striping yarn.
Blankets for premature babies are a great way to learn a new technique, or use up yarn from your stash. And this corner to corner blanket will be made time and time again.
Cuddly Clusters Bonding Square by The Crafty Therapist
Master the double crochet cluster stitch and make a set of these gorgeous bonding squares to donate.
jan was a mum to preemie baby boys and so knows the importance of these particular patterns for preemie babies!
And don’t forget to grab your free printable bonding square gift tags from above!
Cuddly Clusters Blanket by The Crafty Therapist
This blanket perfectly matches the bonding squares above! I just love the texture on this one.
Click the photo to visit the free pattern on the blog post.
Cuddly Cloud Bonding Squares by Crafting Each Day
Crochet cuddly soft bonding squares for baby and mom!
If you are new to bonding squares you can find out more about them above.
Peas in a Pod Crochet Baby Hat by Morines Shop
This sweet preemie hat uses a puff stitch to create that gorgeous texture. The pattern itself has 3 different sizes covering babies from 1-8 lbs!
Click the photo to go to the blog post.
Amberly Preemie Crochet Blanket by Simply Melanie Jane.
The Amberly Preemie Crochet Blanket is soft and textured with an easy pattern repeat. It’s the perfect size for the littlest of babes.
And the texture is perfect for a pattern for premature babies too. Perfect for beginners it will be one you make a few times!
Gentle Embrace Baby Blanket by Remington Lane Crochet
The Gentle Embrace Preemie Blanket offers a stunning texture with an easy 4-row repeat, making it an ideal project for both beginners and seasoned crocheters looking to create a heartfelt gift for a premature baby.
Nova Preemie Baby Blanket by The Loophole Fox
Welcome your family’s new star with the Nova Preemie Baby Blanket. Designed with dense, textured stitches, this baby blanket is incredibly soft and interesting for new precious fingers to touch and explore.
It is a great pattern for premature babies and will be a must-have addition to any donation box this year.
Full of Beans Blanket by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
This blanket comes in 5 sizes from security to adult throw size and is perfect for baby blankets!
The texture is unisex and with an easy and fun 6 row repeat which also looks great in variegated and chenille yarns. Note: I do not recommend chenille yarn for your donations!
Check out the free pattern by clicking on the photo.
Baby Dinosaur Spikes Hat by Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet
This sweet hat is a perfect crochet pattern for premature babies. And it is so darn cute!
It is written in 3 sizes from micro-preemie to newborn.
Click the photo to find the pattern.
Amberly Preemie Baby Hat by Simply Melanie Jane
Amberly Preemie Crochet Hat is soft and cute. Perfect to warm and keep cozy the littlest baby’s head.
And it perfectly matches the baby blanket above. What a perfect set to gift any premature baby!
Cielo Bonding Squares from Ambassador Crochet
These bonding squares were designed to perfectly match the Cielo Baby Blanket above. So you can make a great set to donate.
They will work up super quickly and play such a pivotal role in baby’s recovery!
Octopus for Preemies by Raffamusa Designs
Crochet octopuses are cute, fun to make, and will offer so much comfort to preemies and their families. They have also been one of the most popular patterns for premature babies in recent years.
In her post Raffaella explains how these awesome designs work and help preemie babies.
Click the photo to find the pattern.
Labyrinth Lullaby Preemie Baby Hat by Green Fox Farms Designs
The Labyrinth Lullaby Preemie Hats are so much fun to stitch up! Using a variety of stitches to create a lovely texture that creates a cozy hat to help keep precious premature babes warm. You will enjoy making these preemie hats in 3 sizes from 1-6 pounds, to donate and make a big difference in the lives of some special families!
So why not make a few of these patterns for premature babies?
Heart to Heart Bonding Square by Owens Villa Chick Designs
The Heart to Heart Bonding Square is a thoughtful gift for any mom who has a tiny baby in a neo-natal unit. The simple squares are easy to crochet, and at just 6” x 6” they work up very quickly.
Don’t forget to print your bonding square tags from the link above!
Featured Paid only Patterns for Premature Babies:
Little Love Cannula Sleeve by Clair de Lune Fiber Art
Bust your stash while helping babies and families in need! This sweet little cannula sleeve works up quickly in a lighter worsted or DK yarn and is a fun and easy way to bring some comfort to babies and parents during a trying time.
Click the photo to go to the Ravelry listing.
My Lil Lamb Lovey by Wheat State Wool Co
Craft the cutest little lamb lovey for your little lamb! This sleepy little blanket with a lamb on top is perfect for your baby to carry and cuddle with.
Click the photo to go to the Ravelry listing.
Gentle Kisses Baby Blanket by Straight Hooked
The Gentle Kisses Baby Blanket works up quickly and makes the perfect gift when you need to make something for a surprise arrival. This blanket is big enough for baby to grow with and treasure for years to come!
Click the photo to go to the designer’s post with the purchase link.
Which of this year’s patterns for premature babies will you be making? Tag me in your makes on Facebook and Instagram.
