[Editor's note: these patterns are from the Care Wear program in Frederick, Maryland. Care Wear, founded by Bonnie Hagerman, provides wearing apparel for premature and low birthweight infants in neonatal intensive care units at children's hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area. Bonnie sends out a quarterly newsletter containing patterns, a list of participating hospitals, and other general information to those on her mailing list. She also has a pattern booklet that she will send out to those who request it for a donation of $1.00 to cover mailing costs. Some volunteers deliver the items to hospitals in their own communities or mail them directly to hospitals listed in the newsletter. If these are not options, they may be mailed to Bonnie Hagerman at Hood College and she will mail them to participating hospitals. The address is: CARE WEAR VOLUNTEERS Bonnie Hagerman c/o Hood College 401 Rosemont Avenue Frederick, MD 21701-8575 Bonnie's e-mail address is: hagerman@nimue.hood.edu.] The following patterns are from the Care Wear booklet: SINGLE CROCHET HATS Size F crochet hook and either sport or baby weight yarn. All rows are worked in back loop only (BLO) to create rib effect. There is more demand for the larger sizes shown in parentheses. Chain 21 (25, 29, 32, or 35) Sc in second ch from hook and in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn. Remaining rows: Sc in BLO of each stitch, ch and turn. Continue this pattern for 30 rows (36, 42, 50, or 56). Fasten off leaving a two foot tail. Thread this through a tapestry needle. Weave in end of stitches, joining sides of row 1 and the last row. Now continue to weave around the top, pulling tightly and whip stitching to firmly secure the crown. Add a pom or bow. PREEMIE BOOTIES IN 3 SIZES Using size E or F hook and baby yarn, ch 16 (or 18 or 20) st. ROW 1: Sc in the back of the second ch from hook. All remaining sc are worked in back loop only for ribbed effect. Sc in back of remaining 14(16-18) st. Ch 1; turn. ROW 2: Sc in each st across. There should be 14 (16-18) st; ch 1 and turn. ROW 3-20: Repeat row 2, omitting ch 1 at end of row 20. There should be 10 ridges and 10 valleys. TO FORM TOE: Fold so that rows 1 and 20 face each other. Slip st rows 1 and 20 together for 7(8,9) st. Draw up a loop and remove hook. With a short piece of yarn and a needle, whip together the open heel to form the base of the bootie leg. Tie off end. TO MAKE LEG: Reinsert crochet hook in loop at instep. Ch 3, dc in each st around leg, join with sl st. *Chain 3, dc in each st around leg, join with sl st. Repeat from * once more. Join with sl st and fasten off. TO CLOSE TOE: With a short piece of yarn and needle, pick up the top st of each ridge of the open toe. Draw together and tie securely. Add a ribbon or ch a string to weave through ankle and tie in a bow. Make another. BASIC KNIT HAT Use 4 ply washable yarn and size 6 needles. Cast on the appropriate number of stitches for the size you want to knit. Rib in k1, p1 for 1". In stockinette, knit to the size needed. CHILD SIZE: Cast on 74 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 6" to 6.5" stockinette Total length = 7" to 7.5" FULL TERM: Cast on 66 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 5" to 5.5" stockinette Total length = 6" to 6.5" X-LARGE PREEMIE: cast on 58 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 4.5" stockinette Total length = 5" to 5.5" LARGE PREEMIE: cast on 50 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 3/5" to 4" Total length = 4.5" to 5" MEDIUM PREEMIE: cast on 44 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 3" to 3.5" stockinette Total length = 4" to 4.5" SMALL PREEMIE: cast on 40 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 2.5" to 3" stockinette Total length = 3.5" to 4" X-SMALL PREEMIE: cast on 36 stitches 1" ribbing (k1,p1) 2.5" stockinette Total length = 3.5" After knitting the piece to the approximate dimensions, draw all stitches together tightly at the top by weaving yarn through all the stitches on the needle. Knot securely. Weave together the seam using yarn. Optional: Make a pom pom or bow for the top. KNITTED BOOTIES Use size 5 needles. Cast on 22 stitches. Knit each row until 15 ridges or 2.75". Decrease k2 tog across (11 stitches remain) Thread on yarn needle, pull tight forming toe (no hole). Sew top together making a ridge 1" long, fasten off. Sew up back, fasten off. Crochet a tight chain 10" long, tie a knot in one end, lace into bootie w/yarn needle. Lace over two ridges, under two ridges, around. Tie knot on other end, trim yarn leaving one-half inch on each end. Tie bow. Optional: make a pom pom for the toe. --- This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium http://www.woolworks.org/