Photos © ThornwoodKnits & © Carolyn Ingram
Itty Bitty Bear Cubs by Carolyn Ingram is an adorable free preemie baby hat knitting pattern featuring tiny bear ears and a simple rolled brim.
Originally designed for the designer's premature twin grandsons during their stay in the NICU, these little bear hats come in two preemie sizes. They use sport-weight yarn and require only a small amount of yarn, making them a sweet little project for a new baby or charity knitting.
Itty Bitty Bear Cubs Pattern Details
- Designer: Carolyn Ingram
- Published: March 2015
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Preemie baby hat / beanie
- Pattern availability: Free download
- Sizes: Small Preemie and Large Preemie
- Yarn weight: Sport
- Suggested yarn: Malabrigo Arroyo
- Yardage: Approximately 45–60 yards (41–55 m)
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Gauge: 26.5 stitches × 33 rows = 4 inches
- Construction: Bottom up, worked in the round
- Features: Rolled brim and knitted bear ears
- Language: English
A Tiny Bear Hat Designed for Preemies
There is a particularly sweet story behind the Itty Bitty Bear Cubs pattern. Carolyn Ingram originally created these tiny hats after her daughter asked for something for her twin sons to wear during their stay in the NICU.
The result is a simple little knitted beanie transformed into a bear-cub hat with the addition of two small ears.
Because the original sizes were designed specifically for premature babies, this pattern can also be useful for knitters looking for small projects for appropriate neonatal charity programs. Always check the current requirements of the hospital or organization before donating handmade baby items.
Two Preemie Hat Sizes
The original free pattern includes two preemie sizes:
- Small Preemie: approximately 9-inch finished circumference and 4 inches high, designed for an approximately 11-inch head.
- Large Preemie: approximately 10.5-inch finished circumference and 4.75 inches high, designed for an approximately 12.5-inch head.
The designer also provides notes with the pattern for making larger versions for newborn and 0–3 month babies.
Sport-Weight Yarn and Small Yardage
The original Itty Bitty Bear Cubs hats use Malabrigo Arroyo, a sport-weight merino yarn.
Each hat requires approximately 45–60 yards (41–55 m), so this can be a useful small-yardage project if you already have a suitable amount of sport-weight yarn.
If the hat is intended for a baby, consider softness and practical care requirements when choosing a substitute yarn.
Needles and Gauge
The pattern calls for 3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.5 mm (US 4) needles.
The specified gauge is approximately 26.5 stitches and 33 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
Because the original hats are designed for very small babies, getting close to the intended gauge is especially important when you want the finished dimensions to match one of the preemie sizes.
How Are the Bear Cub Hats Constructed?
The hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, beginning with a simple rolled edge and continuing toward the crown.
Crown decreases shape the top of the hat. The little bear ears are then created separately from stitches picked up on the finished hat, giving the otherwise simple beanie its unmistakable bear-cub appearance.
The pattern was written for double-pointed needles, although knitters comfortable with other methods of small-circumference knitting may prefer their usual technique.
Skills Used in This Pattern
Although these hats are small, they provide an opportunity to practice several useful knitting techniques, including:
- Knitting in the round
- Stockinette stitch
- Basic decreases
- Picking up stitches
- Working small circumferences
- Simple finishing and seaming for the ears
If you already know basic knitting and want to become more comfortable with knitting in the round, a tiny hat can be a much smaller commitment than starting with a full-size garment.
Can You Make the Bear Hat in Larger Baby Sizes?
Yes. Although the two primary sizes are designed for preemies, Carolyn Ingram also includes notes for adapting the idea for newborn and 0–3 month sizes.
The designer has also made larger versions using heavier yarn and larger needles as her grandsons grew.
Follow the designer's current sizing notes rather than simply adding stitches at random, particularly when knitting for a very young baby.
A Great Little Stash-Buster
With only 45–60 yards required for the original preemie sizes, Itty Bitty Bear Cubs can be a charming way to use a small quantity of suitable leftover yarn.
Neutral browns and creams create the classic teddy-bear look, but the simple design can work in many colors. A soft blue, pink, gray, yellow or another baby-friendly shade can give the same little hat a completely different personality.
Get the Free Itty Bitty Bear Cubs Pattern
The complete Itty Bitty Bear Cubs by Carolyn Ingram is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern.
Get the Free Itty Bitty Bear Cubs Knitting Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.