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 

Syringe Driver or Chemo Pump Bag - Knitted Version

 

Syringe Driver / Chemo Pump Bags

What are syringe driver bags used for ?

Syringe driver bags are used to discreetly and comfortably hold a syringe driver for palliative care patients. They help patients carry their medication pump, which is often used for continuous pain relief, to allow for greater mobility and ease of movement.

•       They make it easier for patients to move around
•       They protect the syringe driver from falling
•       They make it easier for nurses to transfer patients
•      They provide a sense of normalcy and privacy, which can improve a        patient's experience and dignity

 

Each bag is donated to one person. They are not transferable due to the possibility of cross infection. This means there is a constant demand.

These bags are also suitable for a Chemo Pump. 

Please check with your local hospital / hospice / charity before you start knitting - to find out if they need any syringe driver or Chemo Pump bags, and if they have specific requirements.

 

 

Syringe Driver Bag

 

Requirements:

2 strands of DK knitted together - or one strand of UK Chunky Weight yarn  

(use washable yarn – acrylic, cotton yarn or a cotton blend is good).   Around 60g.

6½ mm needles

 

Tension / Gauge:

15sts = 4” (10cm)

 

Abbreviations:

S1 = slip one stitch knitwise

 

Dimensions:

The bag will be approx. ~

5 - 6” wide  (10 - 12”  all around)

8¾”  high

 

Instructions:

For the bag ~

Cast on 20sts 

Knit 4 rows

Row 5:  S1, knit to end of row

Row 6:  S1, purl to last st, k1

Repeat the last 2 rows until work measures 16” from cast on

Knit 5 rows

Cast off

 

Fold in half and join the 2 side seams using a length of yarn and a sewing needle

 

For the strap ~

Cast on 8sts

Knit every row, until the strap measures 34”

Cast off

Use the cast on and cast off ‘tails’ and a sewing needle to attach the strap securely to the top of the bag at each side

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 © 2025      ‘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 

Syringe Driver or Chemo Pump Bag - Crochet Version

 

Syringe Driver / Chemo Pump Bag - Crochet Version

What are syringe driver bags used for ?

Syringe driver bags are used to discreetly and comfortably hold a syringe driver for palliative care patients. They help patients carry their medication pump, which is often used for continuous pain relief, to allow for greater mobility and ease of movement.

•       They make it easier for patients to move around
•       They protect the syringe driver from falling
•       They make it easier for nurses to transfer patients
•      They provide a sense of normalcy and privacy, which can improve a        patient's experience and dignity

 

Each bag is donated to one person. They are not transferable due to the possibility of cross infection. This means there is a constant demand.

These bags are also suitable for a chemo pump.

Please check with your local hospital / hospice / charity before you start making these - to find out if they need any syringe driver or chemo pump bags, and if they have specific requirements.

Syringe Driver Bag - Crochet Version

 

Requirements:

2 strands of DK worked together - or one strand of UK Chunky Weight yarn  

(use washable yarn – acrylic, cotton yarn or a cotton blend is good).   Around 60g - 80g.

5mm crochet hook

 

Tension / Gauge:

12sts = 4” (10cm)

 

Abbreviations:

This pattern used UK terminology

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

tr = treble crochet

 

Dimensions:

The bag will be approx. ~

5 - 6” wide  (10 - 12”  all around)

8¾”  high

 

Instructions:

Bag ~

Chain 38

Work 1tr into third chain from hook, then 1tr into each chain to end    (36sts)

Slip stitch to join into a circle (the bag will be worked in the round)

Ch3, work 1tr in each stitch all around, join with a slip stitch

Repeat the last round until work measures around 8 - 8½ʺ

Ch2, work 1dc in each stitch all around, join with a slip stitch

Fasten off

Using the starting tail and a sewing needle - join the first and last stitches of the first row

Join the lower edge of the bag – you can crochet together or sew the seam

Darn away ends

 

Strap ~

Chain 9

Work 1tr into third chain from hook, then 1tr into each chain to end, turn    (7sts)

Ch2, work 1tr in next 6sts, turn

Repeat the last row until strap measures around 34ʺ

Fasten off

Use the start and end tails and a sewing needle to attach the strap securely to the top of the bag at each side

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 © 2025      ‘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