Crocheted hats

Lisa Borders from Anencephaly Hope has kindly allowed us to publish the patterns of the hats she custom makes for babies with anencephaly. Lisa writes:

I have found that for most babies with anencephaly that are born between 30 weeks and full term, the size hat that seems to fit best is about 8 to 10 inches circumference and 2 1/2" to 3" length (not including earflaps). I also add long tie strings, 12 - 14" long, to every hat to help them stay on, and long enough that they can be tied easily without worrying they are too tight.

Every baby is different so I do suggest having different sizes and styles on hand.

These are the 3 patterns I use. I have adjusted things over the years but these seem to fit best.

Most often I use a size K hook and worsted weight yarn (like Red Heart Super Saver or similar).

You can adjust the size by using different types of yarn and different sized crochet hooks. For the basic hat and the earflap hat you can start with 8 dc for a smaller hat or 14 dc for a larger hat and then follow the rest of the pattern exactly the same (your second round will have 16 or 28 stitches since you add 2 dc in each stitch all the way around). I never alter the number of stitches for the scalloped edge hat because it throws off the number of scallops and then doesn't look right when completed. So for that hat definitely just try thinner or thicker yarn and different hook sizes to adjust finished size.

Basic crochet hat with tie strings

Start with magic circle/magic ring (youtube has lots of tutorials for this)
Round 1: chain 3, dc 11, join
Round 2: chain 3, 2 dc in each stitch around for a total of 24, join
Round 3: chain 2, 1 hdc in each stitch, join
Round 4: chain 2, 1 hdc in each stitch, join
Round 5: chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch, join and finish, sewing in tail.
To make tie strings lay hat flat with joining stitches in back and attach yarn to center stitch at both left and right sides and chain 45 - 70 to make a chain about 12 - 14" long. Sew in tails.