Uses Bernat Softee Baby, or any very soft sport weight yarn. Wool not recommended if the hat is for a NICU.  US #4 dpn's, crochet hook, tapestry needle.

Preemie: Cast on 60 st. Work 8 rounds of K1, P1. K one row. P 1 row, for decorative garter ridge. (This is optional. You can go straight from ribbing to the stockinette part.)  Switch to stockinette (all K, in the round) and work until piece measures 3 inches. Place 5 markers evenly (12 sts apart) in next round.

Decrease round: Knit around, decreasing before and after each marker (10 sts removed)

Work 1 row in K

Repeat these two rounds until 10 sts remain.

K one more round. Cut yarn, leaving a 24" tail. Run yarn through the 10 stitches with tapestry needle  and draw together. Secure well on inside of hat. Poke tail through center to outside of the hat. .With a crochet needle, make a single chain, starting at hat, about 1½ " long .Draw yarn tail back through the center of the cap and stitch the to the inside of the hat, to form a decorative loop.

Small Preemie: (2-3 lbs.) Use size #3 dpn's. Cast on 50 sts. Work in same manner, knitting the hat to measure 2¾ –3  inches before starting decreases. Markers will be placed 10 sts apart.

Small Baby: Cast on 70 sts. Work in same manner, knitting the hat to measure 4 inches before starting decreases. Markers will be placed 14 sts apart. Work 2 rounds after each decrease round.

Medium Baby: Cast on 80 sts. Work to depth of 4 ½ – 5 inches before starting decreases.

Markers will be placed 16 sts apart..Work 2 rounds after each decrease round.

Cap can be made in any size. Be sure to cast on a multiple of 10. Use 5 evenly spaced markers for decreases, which form a nice star pattern at crown.