Itty-Bitty Bunting

*NEW SIZING INFORMATION AT THE END OF THIS POST*


The Preemie Project has requested very tiny gowns and buntings for babies less than one pound. One of our volunteers, Sara, used this pattern (Tiny Micro Preemie Gown/Bunting), casting on half the number of stitches and working the skirt in stockinette stitch instead of the lace pattern. The nurses described this gown as "the perfect fit" and said it would be good for either a girl or boy. I would have thought this style would be too feminine for a boy, but I decided to trust the judgement of the nurses and give it a try. I opted to close the bottom, making it a bunting instead of a gown. I like this better for a boy. Also, it was easy to change the look by varying the stitch pattern. I came up with three versions, but there are more possibilities just waiting to be knitted.

The three versions I came up with for these buntings from left to right are:
#1-skirt and bodice both worked in stockinette stitch.
#2-skirt and bodice both worked in garter stitch.
#3-skirt worked in seed stitch, bodice worked in stockinette stitch.

You will notice that the back is not sewn together, but is instead closed with ribbons. This makes it easy to dress the baby and is a necessary feature on clothing for babies this tiny.


Itty-Bitty Bunting
Inspired by Tiny Micro Preemie Gown/Bunting designed Mary Glynn of Heavenly Angels in Need
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Baby Sport
Needles: US5
Finished Size: 9" from neck to cast on edge, 5 1/2" wide when opened flat

For Skirt
Cast on 25 sts.
Work 4 rows in your choice of stitch pattern (stockinette, garter or seed). *If you want the gown to be worked in stockinette stitch, these first four rows should be worked in garter stitch or seed stitch to prevent curling. Change to stockinette stitch after the eyelet row.*
Work eyelet row: *K2tog, yo, rep from * to last stitch, k1.
Continue working in chosen stitch pattern until 7" from cast on edge.
Work eyelet row (same as above).
For Bodice
Work 3 rows in your choice of stitch pattern (stockinette, garter or seed).
K6, cast on 10, k13, cast on 10, k6.
Work 3 rows, continuing in chosen stitch pattern.
K1, p1 across row.
K1, p1 across row.
K2tog across to last stitch, k1.
BO all stitches purlwise.
Weave in ends.
Do not sew the back closed, instead weave ribbon through eyelet holes and tie in the back to close.
If you wish to make this a gown instead of a bunting, do not cinch bottom closed and decrease the length of the skirt by 1" or more.


Itty-Bitty Hat
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Baby Sport
Needles: US 5 dpns
Finished size: 6"circumference to fit a baby less than l pound
Cast on 30 sts.
Join in the round.
Choose one of the following and work until 3/4": 1x1 rib, seed stitch or rolled brim (knit every stitch).
Then knit all rounds until 2 3/4" from cast on edge.
*K2 tog, repeat from * (15 sts)
*K2 tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1. (7 sts)
Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches and secure end.
Weave in ends.
Add ribbon loop topper, if desired.

Thoughts:

I was very surprised at how narrow this bunting is. I actually double checked with Sara to make sure I had cast on the correct number of stitches.

I do not think it is necessary to make booties to complete this set because the baby's feet will be enclosed.

I would like to publicly thank Mary Glynn for designing so many wonderful patterns for premature infants. I find myself using her patterns over and over, because they are well written and work up beautifully. She deserves all design credit for the bodice of this bunting. It would have been an exact copy of the pattern she wrote that inspired this one, except that I accidently left off one knit row. I liked it this way, so I left it like that. Through this blog, I recently corresponded with Mary Glynn. She is a wonderful person with the heart of a servant and a great love for the little babies and families she helps through her group, Heavenly Angels in Need. I am blessed to have met her.


ADDED 8/29/06: Though I had been told this narrow version of this gown was deemed a "perfect fit", I have just recently found out that the nurses now say it is too narrow. So, if you make this gown, please use more stitches in the body.