Daisy Stitch Preemie Beanie

Preemie beanie with blooming textured stitches!

The Daisy Stitch is a little tougher to master, but it's super satisfying once you get the hang of it. And the finished product is a super cute textured preemie beanie for the NICU babies! Like my other preemie hat patterns, you can leave it plain, or add a pom on top :) Because of the texture, this pattern is written with a simple single-crocheted trim.

If you aren't familiar with the Star Stitch, it may be helpful to watch this quick tutorial by Hopeful Honey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKW7fSwBSc

Here's the pattern, good luck!

Materials:

- Size G crochet hook

- 1 skein baby* yarn (I used Bernat Baby Sport)

*Worsted weight yarn will work as well, as long as it's soft enough. If you do use worsted weight yarn, your gauge and finished hat size will be a bit larger, but that's totally fine! The NICU needs hats in newborn and larger sizes as well.

- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Notes:

- Sl St = slip stitch

- Hdc = half double crochet

- Sc = single crochet

- Ch = chain

- Yo = yarn over

- St = stitch

* This pattern is worked in noncontinuous, non-turned rounds. At the end of each round, you will join the round by slip stitching to the top of the first stitch.

Round 1: Ch 3, hdc 10 in the third ch from hook. Sl st to top of 1st hdc, Ch 2.

Round 2: 2 hdc in each st around. Sl st to 1st hdc, Ch 2.

Round 3: *2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next st* Repeat around. Sl St to top of 1st hdc, Ch 2.

Round 4: * 2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 2 st* Repeat around. Sl St to top of 1st hdc, Ch 2.

In the following rounds, we will begin working the Star Stitch.The Star Stitch is created within 2 rounds.

Round 5: [ *Insert hook into 1st st, yo, pull up a loop* Repeat in the next 4 st. (You should now have a total of 6 loops on your hook). Yo and pull through all 6 loops. Ch 1, forming the "eye" of this first star.

Now we will make the second star stitch. Insert hook into the eye of the star stitch you just made. Yo, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the last loop of the star stitch you just made. Yo, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the last st worked in of previous star st. Yo, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the next st, yo, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the next st, yo, pull up a loop. Yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook. Ch 1 to create the eye of the 2nd star stitch. ]

Repeat the steps between the [ ] around to complete Round 5. When you reach the end of the round, Sl St to top of 1st stitch in the round to join. Ch. 1

Round 6: Sc in the 1st st. 2sc in the eye of each star stitch around. Sl St to 1st sc in round to join. Ch 1.

Rounds 7-8: Repeat Rounds 5 and 6

Rounds 9-10: Repeat Rounds 5 and 6

Rounds 11-12: 1 sc in each st around. Sl St to 1st sc in round. Tie off & weave in ends.