Pattern for Baby Beanies

One of our long time newsletter subscribers, Louise Goodson, has been kind enough to share her newborn baby beanie knitting pattern with all of us. Louise and her daughter, who is a midwife at Middlemore hospital, customised this pattern for a better shape and fit.

When knitting baby beanies please be sure to use wool as this will keep the heat in and keep baby warm. With the cooler weather that we are experiencing now is a great time to get knitting and donate beanies.

Middlemore usually has around 24 births a day so they go through a lot of beanies, however there are other units that you can donate too. 

For a list of postal addresses to send beanies click here.

Or look up your local birthing unit …

Waitakere Birthing Unit

North Shore Birthing Unit

Auckland Central Hospital 

Pukekohe Birthing Unit

If you know of any other units that are taking beanies please make mention in the comments or send me an email so I can update the information. [email protected]

Louise’s Baby Beanie Pattern

Using 4 ply wool (that is 100% wool) and size 10 needles cast on 65 stitches and knit garter stitch 20 rows.

Change to size 8 needles and knit in stocking stitch until total work is 11.5cms.

Row 1 knit 8 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 7 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 6 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 5 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 4 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 3 knit 2 tog, repeat across row.
Next row purl.

Next row knit 2 knit 2 tog, repeat across row
Next row purl.

Next row knit 1 knit 2 tog, repeat across row
Next row purl.

Next row , knit 2 tog right across row.

Cut wool off with a long strand, keeping the remaining stitches carefully,  and thread wool through them, pull up tight, knot off.
Sew hat together using the long strand of wool.

In the comments it has been mentioned that Middlemore sends out packs of six beanies, please do still make beanies for Middlemore and here’s how to ensure they are shared out …

Middlemore Foundation makes up packs of items for newborns, which include hats singlets jumper and toys.  They are then sealed as a package and given to the birthing ward which the staff then give to high need families, when appropriate.
When we (that is me and my sister) donate hats to Middlemore and Papakura, we take them directly to the birthing ward and hand them to the staff on duty, who put them in a bag in a cupboard and give one hat to one baby. 
It is wonderful that people are giving their time and energy to knitting in all cases, but I don’t want people to get the impression that bunches of 6 hats are being given to families at all times. Louise.