Red Hats for Hospitals

Red Ribby Hats

 

Many Hospitals and Maternity Units in the UK welcome donations of Baby Hats in a range of sizes – BUT they all seem to have different requirements.

Please check what is needed!  The truth is - hospitals have very little facility for storage – and what is donated but not required - is often simply dumped in an incinerator.  It is not about donating what you like to make – it is about suppling what is needed and wanted.

Please ask.

 

Many maternity units use Red Hats as a way of identifying babies that need extra care, including requiring more observations than is the normal routine.

 

These little Ribby Hats are very practical as they are so stretchy and forgiving - and fit well on a variety of different sizes of heads. This pattern includes instructions for a Beanie Style Hat and a Hat with a turn up.

     

   

Ribby ~ Baby Hats            

4mm needles

DK yarn

 

Newborn Baby –  12″ circumference,  5½ ʺ high 

Instructions:

Cast on 64sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 18 times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 10 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (44sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                          (22sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                          (11sts)

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Large  Premature Baby –  11″ circumference,  5¼ ʺ  high

 

Instructions:

Cast on 55sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows 15 times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 10 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (38sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                            (19sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              S1, *k2tog, repeat from * to end                          (10sts)

                                                  

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Medium Premature Baby –  9″ circumference,  4½“ high

Instructions:

Cast on 46sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows twelve times more

If you want a turn-up brim make your hat 8 rows longer at this point

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1                    (32sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                    (16sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              *K2tog, repeat from * to end                         (8sts)

                                                       

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

 

 

Small  Premature Baby –  7″ circumference,  3½“ high

 

Instructions:

Cast on 37sts

1^st Row:                  S1, * k1, p2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1

2^nd Row:                 S1, k1, * p1, k2, repeat from * to last 2sts, p1, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows nine times more

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:              S1, * k1, p2tog, repeat from * to last 3sts, k1, p1, k1           (26sts)

Next Row:              S1, k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next Row:              K2tog  all across row                                      (13sts)

Next Row:              S1, purl to last st, k1           

Next Row:              S1, *k2tog, repeat from * to end                     (7sts)

                                                               

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and weave in ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website 

Granny Stripes Crochet Blanket

 

Granny Stripes Crochet Blanket  

I enjoy crocheting blankets - this one is very easy. 

There are lots of ways to make Granny Stripe blankets - this is how I do it. 

3 treble crochet stitches are made together to form a little cluster, just as they are in Granny Squares, but instead of working in rounds, they are worked in rows.

The blankets can be worked in one colour throughout, but I have fun choosing colours to go together. 

Requires:

DK yarn – in 1 or more colours

4mm hook

 Terminology:

This pattern uses UK terminology

ch = chain        tc = treble crochet         

For a blanket of around 25”,  chain 100

For a blanket of around 36”,  chain 145

 

It is easy to adjust the size of your blanket – simply +/- in multiples of 3       ( 100  +/-    3, 6, 9, 12 ………)

Instructions:   

Chain 100

Row 1:  1 tc into the third chain *skip 2 stitches, work a 3tc cluster into the next stitch, repeat from *across row, 2 tc into the last chain, ch 2, turn  

Row 2: Work a 3tc cluster into the first space between the clusters, *work a 3tc cluster into next space between clusters of the previous row, repeat from * across row,  end with one tc into the top of the ch 2 at the end of the row. Cut yarn, fasten off, turn  

Row 3: Join in next colour, chain 3 and 1tc in the first space, *3tc clusters into next space, repeat from * across row, 2tc in the top of the ch 2 at the end of the row, ch 2, turn  

Row 4: Work 3tc clusters in all the spaces across as in row 2, end with one tc into the top of the ch 2 at the end of the row. Cut yarn, fasten off, turn

Repeat rows three and four until you are happy with the length of your blanket. I usually make blankets square, or a little longer than their width.    

Darn away ends 

Add a border all around if desired.  

You can, of course change colours every 4 or 6 or more rows, if you prefer. 

Granny Stripes Crochet Blanket 

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website 

Raindrops Baby Blanket

 

Raindrops Baby Blanket

This lovely blanket is made using Long Raindrops Stitch.

It works really well as it is fully reversible. 

Please note - To give a soft drape, this blanket is knitted with DK yarn and 5mm needles (otherwise the blanket is too stiff)

Raindrops Baby Blanket

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

5mm needles

 

Tension / Gauge:

24sts = 4” (10cm) 

 

Sizes:

Width ~

For a doll / very small preemie baby blanket of around 12”                   Cast on 73sts

For a small preemie baby blanket of 16”                                                Cast on 97sts

For a preemie baby blanket of 20”                                                         Cast on 121sts

For a newborn baby blanket of 24”                                                        Cast on 145sts

For a baby blanket of around 28”                                                           Cast on 169sts

 

Length ~ Make your blanket square, or a little longer than it’s width.

 

If you want a different size –

You can change the size of your blanket by adding or reducing in multiples of 2 stitches

(you can use any odd number of stitches)

 

Instructions:

Cast on an odd number of stitches – use the suggestions above as a guide

1^st Row:    K3, * k1, p1, rep from * to last 4sts, k4

2^nd Row:   K3, * p1, k1, rep from * to last 2sts, k2

3^rd Row:    K3, * k1, p1, rep from * to last 4sts, k4

4^th Row:    K3, * p1, k1, rep from * to last 2sts, k2

5^th Row:    K3, * p1, k1, rep from * to last 2sts, k2

6^th Row:   K3, * k1, p1, rep from * to last 4sts, k4

7^th Row:    K3, * p1, k1, rep from * to last 2sts, k2

8^th Row:    K3, * k1, p1, rep from * to last 4sts, k4

Repeat these 8 rows until you are happy with the length of your blanket, ending after working a 7^th Row

Cast off

Darn away ends

Raindrops Baby Blanket 

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website 

4" Crochet Heart

 

Crochet Heart

4ʺ Crochet Hearts

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

3.25mm or 3.5mm hook

 

Stitches used:  UK terminology

Chain, single crochet, half treble crochet, treble crochet, double treble crochet, slip stitch

Instructions:

Chain 4, and join into a circle with a slip stitch

 

Round 1:      Chain 3, 1 treble crochet, 3 double treble crochet, 7 treble crochet, 3 double treble crochet, 1 treble crochet, chain 3, slip stitch into ring

 

Round 2:       Chain 3, slip stitch into first gap, chain 3, 2 treble crochet in next 4 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 3 stitches, 3 double treble crochet in next stitch, 1 treble crochet in next 3 stitches, 2 treble crochet  in next 4 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next stitch, ch3, join into base of previous treble stitch with a slip stitch

 

Round 3:       slip stitch into first gap of previous round to join

Chain 3, 1 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 double treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 7 stitches, 3 double treble crochet in next stitch, 1 treble crochet in next 7 stitches, 2 treble crochet  in next 2 stitches, 1 double treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, chain 3, slip stitch into next stitch to join, slip stitch into top of previous round

 

Round 4:   work 3 single crochet into the chain stitch gap, chain 1, I treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 half treble crochet in next 8 stitches, 3 treble crochet in next stitch, 1 half treble crochet in next 9 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 2 stitches,  2 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, 1 treble crochet in next 2 stitches, chain 1, work 3 single crochet into chain stitch gap, slip stitch to join, fasten off

 

Tighten up the centre by putting the start ‘tail’ onto a sewing needle and weave it through the stitches of the first round, pull up tightly

 

If you want to make stuffed hearts ~

     make 2 pieces the same,

     join them by sewing almost all around, or crochet them together,

     add a little polyester stuffing,

     finish the joining and secure,

     make a little hanging loop if desired,

     fasten off and darn away ends.

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website 

Freddie Cabled Baby Blanket

Freddie Cabled Baby Blanket

Cables are timeless - and this sweet baby blanket is pretty and practical.

Requirements:

DK yarn – the amount will vary depending on the yarn you choose (less than 100g of acrylic DK for the smallest size, less than 400g for the 28” size)     

4mm and 4.5mm needles

 

Tension:

24sts = 4” (10cm)

 

How to cable:

Cable 4 = put the next 2sts onto a cable needle and hold to the front of the work, knit next 2sts, then the 2sts from the cable needle

 

Sizes:

Width ~

For a doll / very small preemie baby blanket of around 12”   Cast on 76sts

For a small preemie baby blanket of 16”                               Cast on 100sts

For a preemie baby blanket of 20”                                         Cast on 124sts

For a newborn baby blanket of 24”                                        Cast on 148sts

For a baby blanket of around 28”                                          Cast on 172sts

 

Length ~ Make your blanket square, or a little longer than it’s width.

 

If you want a different size –

You can change the size of your blanket by adding or reducing in multiples of 6 stitches

(100 +/- multiples of 6)

 

Instructions:

Using 4mm needles, cast on 124sts (or the number advised above for the size you wish to knit)

Knit 6 rows

 

Change to 4.5mm needles ~

7^th Row:           S1, k3, * p2, k4, repeat from * to end

8^th Row:           S1, k5, * p4, k2, repeat from * to last 4sts, k4

9^th Row:           S1, k3, * p2, k4, repeat from * to end

10^th Row:         S1, k5, * p4, k2, repeat from * to last 4sts, k4

11^th Row:         S1, k3, * p2, cable 4, repeat from * to last 6 sts, p2, k4

12^th Row:         S1, k5, * p4, k2, repeat from * to last 4sts, k4

Repeat the 7^th to 12^th rows until you are happy with the length of your blanket, ending after working a 12^th row

 

Change to 4mm needles ~

Finish with a garter stitch border – knit 7 rows

Cast off knit wise

 

Darn away ends

Freddie Baby Blanket 

I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  

In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.  

However, please do not copy my patterns

Copyright © 2026      ‘made by marianna’       All Rights Reserved

This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied, shared, reproduced

or republished on any webpage or website