This hat was knit for and inspired by my nephew Leon, our fierce fighter, Auntie’s little Lionheart! Born prematurely, the hospital struggled to find him a hat that fit and would keep his head warm when he came out of the incubator. My sister told me that it was a blessing to have the hats I had knit for him. This hat was inspired by my nephew and a mission to help provide hats for the other preemies at my local hospital.

This is a free pattern but I strongly encourage you to please give back by donating preemie hats to your local NICU or Special Care Nursery. The little fighters there are always in need of a warn hat as they figure out how to regulate their body temperature.