“What are Bonding Squares for?

Bonding squares are intended to help NICU families to bond with their babies through smell—one of the most developed senses in premature infants. One bonding square can be worn against the parent’s skin, and one can be left with the baby in the isolette. Each day, the squares can be swapped so that the baby has the parent’s scent and the parent has the baby’s scent. It can be incredibly meaningful to take “a piece” of your baby home with you each day, and possible benefits include bonding and improved lactation.“

These will be sent to Today Is A Good Day

Set One
Knit Picks Dishie
Squares were originally made for my Walk in the Park project. They measure 4 to 4 1/4” square. Ends worked in and washed. Begin date for these is 7/15/2023. Complete 7/26/2023.

This pattern and yarn make a sturdy but dense square. Will be trying a different pattern for the next batch.

Set Two
Stylecraft Special DK 35g
Green Boye G 4.5mm hook
Corner to corner squares of five blocks per side with a HDC granny cluster border. Measure 4” square. Ran out of yarn so white square has an SC granny cluster border instead.

Set Three
Knit Picks Dishie
Granny
Round 1: DC Mesh. Turn.
Round 2: DC Mesh. Turn.
Round 3: DC Solid. Do not Turn.
Round 4: BLO SC.
Measure 3 1/2” square

Set Four
King Cole Cottonsoft 17g
Clover 4.00mm hook
Rounds 1-3: Double Crochet granny
Round 4: SC
Round 1 requires 60”
Measure 3 1/2” square

Set Five
King Cole Cottonsoft 67g
Clover 4.00mm hook
Granny with Double Crochet, Single Crochet, BL or BL and 3rd Loop SC or HDC (Stitch mix determined by how much yarn was available)
Measure 3 1/2” -3 3/4”square

Set Six
King Cole Cottonsoft 63g
Clover 4.00mm hook
Granny with Double Crochet, Single Crochet, and BL SC
Measure 3 1/2” square