Work in Progress: Knitting Hats for Preemies
13 Mar 2013
If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I love to knit. A few weeks ago I learned about this amazing local organization–one of their projects, Precious Preemies, provides hats to hospitals for premature babies in the NICU. The smallest little ones weigh less than a pound, and the hats really help in regulating their body temperature. I cannot even begin to imagine the things these families must face every day, but I do know that one of them is that the standard-issue hospital hats are far, far too big to be useful. Hopefully this little gift will make just a tiny part of their day easier, and let them know they are loved.
I made this little blue hat over the last few days, and I plan to knit at least about ten more in the next month. They knit up very quickly, since they are so very little. I actually kept checking my gauge and the measurements as I went, convinced that my hat was too small. Although it is tiny, this isn’t even the smallest size requested. But it’s the tiniest among us who need the most love.
I haven’t experienced this kind of prematurity in my own life, but I have been so moved by the stories of the courageous moms who blog about their journeys. They are champions and heroes, every single one of them. I would do just about anything I could to lend a hand of support, to let them know that someone, somewhere, is thinking of them and sending prayers their way. And so I am knitting away. If you are interested in helping too, the Precious Preemies site has a ton of info, tutorials, patterns, and a gallery of all the hats that have been donated. (Guidelines are here.) Hope you’ll join me in knitting up some love!
Mar 13, 2013 @ 05:32:46
How sweet that you are knitting up those teeny hats for a very good cause!! I am amazed at how that hat will fit a baby and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Mar 13, 2013 @ 22:45:08
Thank you! I am just glad this organization exists. And happy I can do my tiny part to help 🙂
Mar 13, 2013 @ 06:22:58
The hats are smaller then coffee cups! It’s good, isn’t it, to feel helpful in some small way, and in solidarity with the parents and caregivers of these little ones? i will check out the site!
Mar 13, 2013 @ 22:46:01
It really is! I have read just a few stories of families with preemies, and they just blow me away every time. Such little fighters. It’s great to be able to help, even in a small way!
Mar 13, 2013 @ 07:38:51
As you knit away, I can imagine you thinking about the children and all of the places they’ll go and the things they’ll see and do as they grow up. Those tiny hats are a tangible prayer for those who receive them. Bless you.
Mar 13, 2013 @ 22:47:48
You are so sweet:) I do think about those things, and I love to check up on the ones I know through blogs. Today I just watched a video of a 25-weeker (who is now a healthy, happy 2-year-old) gleefully singing karaoke. Life is such a miracle.
Mar 13, 2013 @ 08:26:25
My girls were preemies and wore those teeny hats too! We were so grateful to the kind souls that made them. It is astonishing now to think that such little hats ever fit them.
Mar 13, 2013 @ 22:48:25
Oh, that is so sweet! I didn’t know your girls were preemies, but I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the hats, and that now they are healthy and happy little ladies! 😉
Mar 13, 2013 @ 14:44:22
What a beautiful project, Cameron! I bet the love that you knit into these teensy hats will pour into those sweet babes and comfort their parents as well. Many blessings on your nimble fingers and loving heart.
Mar 13, 2013 @ 22:49:19
Thank you so much! I sure hope so. The older I get, the more convinced I am that kindness, just pure and simple kindness, is the most important thing on earth.
Mar 14, 2013 @ 06:47:11
You are so right. Kindness is the most important thing. And your beautiful spirit is filled with it!
Mar 14, 2013 @ 21:46:10
Thank you! I learned it from you!