Rainbow Cloud Preemie Crochet Hat Pattern

The Rainbow Cloud Hat is an easy crochet preemie hat pattern that comes in 3 newborn sizes for babies ranging from 1lbs to 8lbs. It’s named for the reminder of God’s love and faithfulness during stormy times.

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Inspiration for this preemie crochet hat.

We learn about the rainbow in Genesis 9:13; a sign of God’s covenant never to destroy all life with a flood again. It is an important symbol of God’s presence and power. When we face the hardest storms in life, find ourselves in the midst of unexpected battles (like welcoming a baby earlier than expected) and wonder if there’s an end in sight, the rainbow reminds us that God remembers us, loves us and is with us.

The floods have risen up, O LORD. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore— the LORD above is mightier than these!

Psalm 93:3-4

Preemie Crochet Challenge

This preemie hat pattern was part of the Preemie Crochet Challenge hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. All downloads were a pledging to make at least one to donate to a NICU or similar.

More preemie crochet patterns:

• Peas in a Pod Hat
• Twist to the Classic Hat

Rainbow Cloud Hat

Materials:

• Soft DK Yarn in:
  • 30 yards in MC
  • 20 yards in CC
• 4.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• 1.4” pompom maker (optional)

Stitches and Terms Used:

• Ch= chain
• Sl st= slip stitch
• Sc= single crochet
• Dc= double crochet
• Hdc= half double crochet
• Rnd= round
• Rpt= repeat
• Circum= circumference
• Lbs.= pounds
• MC= main colour
• CC=  contrasting colour
• “= inches

Gauge: 17 dc and 8 rows= 4” by 4”

Hat sizing chart for reference:

Size	Crown Circle	Hat Circum	Hat Height
1-3 lbs.	2.75”	9”	3.5”
3-5 lbs.	3”	11.5”	4”
6-8 lbs.	3.25”	13”	4.5”

Notes:

• Read through the pattern from beginning to end before starting your work just to be sure don’t have any questions that might cause frustration while working on the project.
• Please check your gauge and adjust as needed to achieve correct sizing.
• For colour changes, when working last stitch in old colour, work as a typical sc until you have 2 loops on your hook. Use the new colour to yarn over and pull through both loops.
• The hat is worked from top down in joined rounds.
• Part of the hat is worked in the 3^rd loop of the previous hdc. The 3^rd loop is located behind and below the back loop.

• Chains at the beginning of the round don’t count as stitches.
• I use a Contrasting Colour in every new hdc round but it is up to you the number of Contrasting Colours (if any) you want to use.

Pattern:

1.) 1-3 lbs.  Preemie Crochet Hat

With MC, ch 3.

Rnd 1: 12 dc in first ch. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (12sts)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st. around. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (24sts)

Rnd 3: ch 1, *(2hdc in 1 st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts)*. Rpt *to* across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. Fasten off. (30 sts)

Hat measures 2.75” in diameter at this point.

You will work in 3^rd loop for the rest of the pattern. Also, fasten off and join a new CC in every new rnd from here on until the end for the rainbow effect.

Rnd 4-8: ch 1, hdc in first 3^rd loop st and in each 3^rd loop across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. (30 sts)

Rnd 9: ch 1, sc in every 3^rd loop. st across. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (30 sts)

2.) 3-5 lbs. Preemie Hat.

With MC, ch 3.

Rnd 1: 12 dc in first ch. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (12sts)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st. around. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (24sts)

Rnd 3: ch 1, *(2hdc in 1 st, 1 hdc in next st)*. Rpt *to* across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. Fasten off. (36 sts)

Hat measures 3” in diameter at this point.

You will work in 3^rd loop for the rest of the pattern. Also, fasten off and join a new CC in every new rnd from here on until the end for the rainbow effect.

Rnd 4-9: ch 1, hdc in first 3^rd loop st and in each 3^rd loop across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. (36 sts)

Rnd 10: ch 1, sc in every 3^rd loop. st across. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (36 sts)

3.) 6-8 lbs. Preemie Hat.

With MC, ch 3.

Rnd 1: 12 dc in first ch. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (12sts)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st. around. Join with a sl st into first dc of the rnd. (24sts)

Rnd 3: ch 2, *(2 dc in 1 st, 1 dc in next st)*. Rpt *to* across. Join with sl st in first dc of the rnd. (36 sts)

Rnd 4: ch 2, *(2dc in 1 st, 1 dc in next 8 sts)*.  Rpt *to* across. Join with sl st in first dc of the rnd. (40 sts)

Hat measures 3.25” in diameter at this point.

Fasten off and join a new CC in every new rnd from here on until the end for the rainbow effect.

Rnd 5: ch 1, hdc in first st and in each st across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. (40 sts)

You will work in 3^rd loop for the rest of the pattern.

Rnd 6-10: ch 1, hdc in first 3^rd loop st and in each 3^rd loop across. Join with sl st in first hdc of the rnd. (40 sts)

Rnd 11: ch 1, sc in every 3^rd loop. st across. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (40 sts)

Pompom (optional)

1. Single Colour Pompom

 For this, take your 1.4 inch pompom maker.

1. Wind the DK yarn 90 times on one side and 90 on the other.
2. Close the two halves and connect the closure.
3. Cut the pompom alongside the gap on both sides.
4. Cut a 12 inch piece of yarn and tie a knot around the bundle.

5.  Unlatch the maker, shake out the pompom and trim the edges to a shape you want.
6. Attach to hat using the length of yarn. Weave in ends and cut off excess yarn.

• Multicolour pompom.

You will need 6 different colours of DK yarn to make this.

1. With your 1^st colour and 1.4 inch pompom maker, wind the yarn 30 times in one corner of the pompom maker, 30 times in the middle with the 2^nd colour and another 30 times in the other corner with the 3^rd colour.
2. Repeat this process for the other half of the pompom maker using the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th colour.
3. Close the two halves and connect the closure.
4. Cut the pompom alongside the gap.

5. Cut a 12 inch piece of yarn and tie a knot around the bundle.
6. Unlatch the maker, shake out the pom and trim the edges to a shape you want.
7. Attach to hat using the length of yarn.
8. Weave in ends and cut off excess yarn