Knitting Patterns & Guide

A baby is classed as premature if they are born at less than 37 weeks

gestation, and although NICU care has improved greatly, babies born at 24
weeks or less are not usually considered viable and many will not survive.
This often leaves hospitals and parents struggling to find clothing small
enough for these tiny babies. Lisas Stars was set up in the Autumn of 2010
to provide suitable clothing and blankets for these tiny, sleeping angels, to
allow them to rest peacefully with the dignity they deserve and to also give
their parents and families comfort in knowing their child is wrapped in love
The following patterns are owned by Lisas Stars, unless otherwise stated.
Permission is given to use them for charity and non-profit use only; however,
we would like the credit for the pattern to be given for us so please link to
our website www.lisasstars.org.uk or our Facebook page Lisas Stars
Our patterns may not be re-produced in any way without prior, written
consent by the author.
Permission to be found by emailing LisasStarsCharity@hotmail.co.uk
Please note that some of the hospitals we supply are only able to accept
certain items, or have specific requirements (so might not accept all these
patterns). Before you start making items, it is always a good idea to check
with your local rep for Lisas Stars as they will know what items your hospital
needs.
For a map showing the locations of our reps click here: http://goo.gl/F0gM1o
or a list click here: http://goo.gl/qU6ENX.

General tips when knitting/crocheting for

angels...

Babies skin is very delicate so a soft, non-fluffy yarn is ideal.

Neutral colours are usually best as it is sometimes difficult to

determine the gender of angels at such early gestation (although some
parents may have a preference or the results of testing that reveals babys
gender). Larger items (20-24weeks) can be made in pinks and blues but
neutral colours are still needed in these sizes.

Items in whites/creams in particular enhance the appearance

of the skin of angel babies, which can be more red or jaundiced than full term
babies. For the same reason, all-yellow items dont tend to show their skin in
the best light. Yellow can be combined with other colours.

Items (especially hats) should have a lot of stretch to them,

this helps with ease of putting them on.

Sizing

Below you will find a size chart detailing the average size of a baby at each weekly
gestation. Please be aware that these sizes are a guide only, please dont feel you must
create a garment to fit the exact size given as your item will fit an angel, they are all
unique and special.
Wk
s

Weig
ht

12

n/k

Offici
al
Leng
th
n/k

Total
lengt
h

Head
Circ.

Chest
Circ.

Abdom
en
Circ.

Foot
lengt
h

Nec
k to
feet

14

n/k

n/k

16

100g
3.5oz

11.3c
m
4.5in

18

200g
7oz

14cm
5.6in

20

300g
10.5o
z

25cm
10in

22

425g
15oz

24

590g
1.3lb

Leng
th of
legs

Leng
th of
arms

n/k

Neck
to
crotc
h
n/k

8.5cm
3.5in
13.6c
m
5.25in
18.1c
m
7.3in

7cm
2.75in
9.6cm
3.75
in
12.8c
m 5in

n/k

6.3cm
2.5in
8.4cm
3.5in

n/k

n/k

n/k

n/k

n/k

n/k

n/k

n/k

8.2cm
3.6in

10cm
4in

2.5cm
1in

15c
m
6in

8.8cm
3.5in

6.3cm
2.5in

13cm
5.1in

2.6cm
1.1in
3.5cm
1.4in

10.6c
m
4.25in
11.9c
m
4.75in

8.1cm
3.25in

15.1cm
6.1in

19c
m
7.5in
21c
m
8.4in

20cm
8in

17.6cm
7.1in

4cm
1.6in

12.5c
m
5in

9.4cm
3.75in

22.5c
m
9in

20cm
8in

4.5cm
1.8in

22c
m
8.75i
n
24c
m
9.4in

5.6c
m
2.25i
n
7.5c
m
3in
8.1c
m
3.25i
n
8.7c
m
3.5in

22.2c
m
8.9in
n/a

15.1c
m
6in
17cm
6.8in

12.5c
m
5in
15cm
6in

27.5c
m
11in

n/a

18.8c
m
7.5in

30cm
12in

n/a

22cm
8.8in

13.8c
m
5.5in

9.8cm
3.9in

n/k

9cm
3.6in

9.4c
m
3.75i
n

NOTE: Babies are measured from crown to rump until 19 weeks. From 20 weeks on,
babies are measured from head to toe. Hence differences in total and official length.
Some measurements courtesy of
http://mammathatmakes.blogspot.co.uk/p/preemie.html

Angel Pocket

CO (either) 75, 101, 125, 151 Stitches dependant on which size Pocket you are
making
1st Row Wrong Side: K to Centre 3, Slip 1, K2tog, PSSO K to end
2nd Row: Knit
Repeat the above 2 rows until 3 Stitches are left
Next Row: Slip 1, K 2 together, PSSO, Fasten off.
Triangle: At the cast on edge of square (2 sides) pick up 75, 101, 125, 151 stitches
1st Row Wrong Side: K 2 together, K to Centre 3, Slip 1, K 2 together, PSSO, Knit to
last 3 stitches, K 2 together, K1
2nd Row: Knit
Repeat these 2 rows until 7 Stitches remain
Next Row: K1, K2 together, K 1, K2 together, K1, then Cast off remaining 5 Stitches

Sizes measured tip to tip (top to bottom as per picture):

Up to approx. 10in for up to 16 week gestation
From approx.11-12in for 16-18 week gestation
Approx. 13in for 18-20 week gestation
Approx. 14in for 20-22 week gestation
15in or over for 22 week+ gestation

Angel Wrap

Size: Pattern assumed to measure 6 wide x 5 long to fit 16 weeks gestation.

Pattern can be adapted to make bigger or smaller (do adjust the buttonholes too).
CO 42 STITCHES
Knit every row until piece measures 5.
**To make button holes, on rows 16 and 32: Knit 1, Yarn Over, Knit 2
together, knit to the end of row.**
Cast Off
Fold the left side over leaving approximately 2 free on the right hand side
as demonstrated in picture:

Sew along the bottom seam (this creates a little open pocket inside the
wrap).
Sew on 2 buttons and attach 2 button loops or alternatively make 2 button
holes as explained in the pattern above.

Basic Hat Pattern

The size guide above has details of head circumference in order to estimate
hat size. Your hat when made up, should measure half the head
circumference along the bottom when unstretched.
Tiny hat
CO 24 stitches
Rows 1 & 2: K2, P2 across rows (2 by 2 rib
stitch)
Row 3 14: Knit
Row 15: K2tog across row (12 stitches)
Row 16: K2tog across row (6 stitches)
Cut wool at roughly 10cm and thread with a
darning needle. Carefully thread your darning
needle through the remaining stitches on your needle. Pull to tighten and
sew up the seam.
Increase the size by increasing your CO stitches by 2 and your knit
rows by 2. For every 4 cast on stitches added to the above pattern,
add another row of 2 x 2 rib stitch.

More Basic Hat Patterns

Pattern 1: Garter Stitch hat
Cast on 32 stitches
Rows 1 - 4: Knit 2, Purl 2
Rows 5 - 18: Knit
Rows 19 & 20: Knit 2 together across the row
Cast off and sew up
Pattern 2: Stockinet Stitch hat
Cast on 32 stitches
Rows 1 - 4: Knit 2, Purl 2
Rows 5,7,9,11,13,15,17: Knit
Rows 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18: Purl
Rows 19 &20: Knit 2 together across the row
Cast off and sew up
Pattern 3: Eyelet pattern
Cast on 32 stitches
Rows 1 - 4: Knit 1, Purl 1 across
Row 5: *Knit 1, Yarn Over, Knit 2 together* repeat this across the row, Knit last 2
stitches
Rows 6 - 18: Knit

Rows 19 & 20: Knit 2 together across the row

Cast off and sew up

Tans Knitted Moses Basket

Use 4mm needles throughout unless otherwise stated.

Uses DK wool & gently curved ice cream tub (Morrisons/Tesco/Aldi version of
Carte DOr).
Fits up to 16 week gestation.
Lining & Outer Sides:

Cast on 106 st & K to 4.5cm in g st. (Approx 20 rows).

K16, yfw K2tog, k12, yfw K2tog, K42, yfw k2tog, k12, yfw k2tog, k16.

Either:
o Continue in g st until work measures 14cm (approx 33 rows).
o Or knit (g st) another 7 rows and change to contrasting yarn on a right side row and
then continue to knit (g st) in new colour until it work measures 14cm.

Check piece fits up side of tub over the top lip and down to base of tub
(inside).

Cast off loosely.

Join short edges and fit to sides of tub with strap holes just under the lip of
the tub.
Straps: make 2

Cast on 46 st.

Work 4 rows in st st.

Cast off

Sew together cast on & cast off edges with right sides together.

Thread straps through holes on outer sides and sew down ends on the
inside.
Base

(Outer):
Cast on 11 st cont in g st throughout.
Inc at each end of 1st & foll alt rows until there are 25 st.
Continue straight for 49 rows.
Dec at each end of next & foll alt rows until there are 11 st.
Cast off.
Pin to cast on edge of outer cover covering tub base & oversew in place.

Base (Inner):

Cast on 13 st cont in g st throughout.

Inc at each end of 1st & foll alt rows until there are 25 st.

Continue straight for 49 rows.

Dec at each end of next & foll alt rows until there are 13 st.

Cast off.

Pin and Sew to cast off edge of inner side lining so the piece covers the
inside base of the tub.
Cover:

Cast on 15 st cont in g st throughout.

Inc at each end of 1st & foll alt rows until there are 29 st.

Continue straight for 23 rows.

Knit 2 rows in contrasting colour (g st).

Continue straight in main colours for 40 rows.

Dec at each end of next & foll alt rows until there are 15 st.

Cast off

Fold right sides together and sew round row ends leaving gap at cast
off/on edges.

Turn right side out and oversew cast on/off edges

Pillow:

Using 2 3/4mm needles cast on 30 st

K 20 rows in g st

K2 rows in contrasting colour (g st)

K34 rows in main colour in g st

Cast off

Fold over with right sides together and sew 1 of the rows end and cast
on/off edges.

Turn right side out, stuff and oversew open edge

Decorate your basket as desired

Basic Blanket

CO 2 stitches
KFB of the first stitch on every row knit the remaining stitches.
Do this until your blanket is at the desired length.
To decrease, K2tog at the start of each row knit the remaining stitches.
When 2 stitches remain, Cast off.
Decorate as you wish.
Blankets are needed in square or rectangle shapes of all sizes from A4 paper size
up to full term size. They can be knitted using different patterns or crocheted, but
it does help if the pattern looks ok on both sides (reversible pattern). Knitted or
crocheted patchwork blankets are also accepted. As with other items, for smaller
blankets, neutral colours are in the most demand (but not block yellow, see
general tips above).

Knitted Teddy

NB: This pattern has been taken from http://jillmc.tripod.com/teddy

Needle Size: 4mm Double Knit Wool
Garter stitch used throughout (knit every row)
Please provide teddies in pairs if you can so one can stay with baby and the other
with parents.
Size can vary from approx. 2.5inch to 8 inch.
CO 8 stitches and work 16 rows.
Break off yarn and cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows to form other leg.
Knit across both legs (16 sts) and complete 8 rows.
CO 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Work 8 rows.
Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Now work 38 rows on these 16 sts.
CO 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Work 8 rows.
Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Work 8 rows.
Using only first 8 stitches work 16 rows and then cast off.
Return to remaining 8 stitches and work 16 rows and then cast off.
Making Up
Fold knitted piece in half lengthways. The fold becomes the top of the head.
Join seam around teddy, leave a small gap between the legs.
Turn right side out.
Backstitch a diagonal line across corner of head to form ears.
Stuff (with flame resistant stuffing) and slip stitch closed area left for stuffing.
Embroider a face on teddy.
Take a double thickness of yarn and thread around neck, going in every few
stitches, (making sure there are no loops that little fingers can get into).
Draw up yard tightly to form neck and secure ends.

Other patterns
See our other pattern booklet here: http://goo.gl/oJIs7Y
It is fine to use other patterns you come across in magazines or the internet for
items like hats, blankets, cribs and teddies, and we are aware crochet patterns
are not provided in this booklet.
However, please do check with your local rep what patterns your hospital can
accept. The last thing we want is you to work hard on something, only to be told
the hospital cant use them.
If you are looking for other patterns, searching on the internet for preemie or
angel baby clothing patterns is a good place to start.
The following website is not affiliated with, or monitored by, Lisas Stars but
usually has a good range of patterns for angel clothing, particularly crochet
patterns.
http://mammathatmakes.blogspot.co.uk/p/preemie-patterns.html
Some hospitals are particularly fond of the crochet crib patterns on this site as
they fold flat (great for storage at the hospital!) and do not need an icecream
tub for structure meaning the pattern can be adapted for much larger sizes.