Newborn babies need traffic light hats

British hospital nurseries are requesting red, orange/yellow, and green hand knit or crocheted hats for newborn preemie babies. The hats signal the level of care needed for the little patients at a cursory glance. Free baby hat patterns are of course available in three sizes for traffic light hats. 

Preemie hat knitting pattern:
Small: Using 4mm (US 6) needles cast on 50 stitches. Work in K2, P2 RIB for 28 rows. K2TOG along row. If you don’t have enough stitches at row's end, K1, P2TOG along row. If you don’t have enough stitches at row's end, P1. Break yarn and thread through stitches and pull tight, and secure top finish and back seam.

Solid green, orange/yellow and red colors are appreciated. 

Medium: Work as small hat but 60 stitches and 32 rows.

Large: Work as small hat but 70 stitches and 36 rows.

Or use this knitnscribble charity hat pattern here for a faster result, using two strands of yarn, 5mm (US9) needle, straight, circular, or dpn's. 

For a smaller size, cast on 48 sts and work for 3.5 inches after first decrease round, including roll.

Preemie crochet baby hat pattern is here with other sizes. 

Send your hats to:

DB Teaching Hospitals, Communications Department, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road Doncaster South Yorkshire DN2 5LT UK.

These hats will be distributed amongst the infirmaries in both Doncaster and Worksop. 
Original posting.