Baby Cocoon and Hat on a Knitting Loom for Newborn and Preemie

I was inspired by some awesome grand-moms to be to do a simple, basic and cozy baby blanket. I decided on a pattern of my favorite which is a Baby Cocoon (sometimes misspelled cacoon ) because it so closely resembles a mother’s womb. I got busy on A LOT of research before actually starting on the design. I didn’t want to make one just for decorative or propping purposes but instead for practical, functional and safe use with a newborn.

Below you will find some of my research information as well as the 4 FREE patterns, 2 Cocoons and 2 Hat patterns and a step by step video tutorial easy enough for beginners.

Baby Cocoon Design and Safety Considerations

The Blanket Type: Swaddling your baby in a blanket is not new, It’s been around for centuries.  It’s not just cute, it soothes babies making them feel comfortable, safe and warm. Unlike a conventional swaddle blanket where you need a complete lesson to get the baby situated the Baby Cocoon gives them the snug feeling they want without all the fussing you don’t need.

The Baby’s Size: According to BabyCenter.com the average baby born at 42 weeks of gestation measures  20.28 inches or 51.5 cm. The weight of these babies averages around 8.12 lbs or 3685 grams.

The Baby’s Comfort: Long enough to give room for kicking but short enough for the baby to feel like he or she kicking something. Should not be around the babies neck. It should allow space for little hands to come out so that the baby can suck on fingers and self-sooth.

Best Baby Cocoon Dimensions: According to ReliefShare.org , (a great charitable origination whose volunteers knit and sew baby cocoon to give to local hospitals)  below are the general sizes.

Note: Information was copied with permission for ReliefShare.org. I crossed out the stitch numbers because they don’t apply to loom knitters. See Stitch Gauge for loom in the Pattern.

The Baby’s Weight for the General Sizes are:

XXS – 14″ long x 50 stitches wide (6″ across) – 12″ diameter 1.5 to 3 lbs
XS – 16″ long x 60 stitches wide (8″ across) 3 to 5 lbs
S – 18″ long x 70 stitches wide (10″ across) 6 lbs to 8 lbs
M – 20″ long x 80 stitches wide (10″ across) 9 lbs to 11 lbs
L – 23″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across) 12 t0 15 lbs
XL – 25″ long x 80 stitches wide (12″ across) 15 to 17 lbs

Gauge:  4 Stitches and 6 Rows = 1 inch .  Note that 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters.

ReliefShare.org also states that most hospitals and parents prefer the Small sized blanket. That makes all the sense in the world. So if you plan to make these for charity – do the small size which follows the pattern here on this website, 18 inches long and 10 inches across.

For the Hat I used the Size Chart in the Newborn Hat Pattern on this website: Click HERE

Stitch Pattern: I have had a great time learning and converting a lot of stitches that I would love to use on a baby blanket. Like Theresa Higby’s Tiny Heart Stitch, the Linen stitch and my latest Bamboo stitch. But, I wanted something that was easy enough for beginners and safe enough to wrap a precious baby in worry-free. I needed an easy dense stitch with a little bit of stretch. I BIG time considered the Andalusian stitch and then thought that instead a basic Knit Stitch with a little bit of Rib Stitch for decoration would be better.

 

I decided to go simple – a pattern made up of just Knits and Purls.

Yarn – To Baby or Not to Baby : This is was almost painful. I couldn’t decide on something cute, comfy and safe for a newborn. I was hoping someone would do it for me. Then, Llike Dah someone already did it’s called Baby Yarn. But no, believe it or not I didn’t like any of them for this project. I wanted density and softness. I found the happy medium by combining a fluffy yarn with a soft yarn.

A Few Safety Considerations: Like with everything that has to do with a baby Please use caution and Your own good, sound judgment in using this type of blanket for your child.  In general a Baby Cocoon is not good for sleeping if your baby can turn ( Best if Used for Carrying, Holding and Transporting ) and Not Good for Bigger Babies. Make sure not to cover the baby’s face with the blanket.

Let’s Get to the Patterns

 

Baby Cocoon Loom Knit Patterns

 

 

Pattern is FREE on the website. To Purchase a Printable Version: Click HERE

 

Supplies

Loom: 40-41 peg loom for the Cocoon and 31-peg for the Hat.  I used the Knifty Knitter brand. A good alternative to the Knifty Knitter is the Darice Loom Set or Michael’s Loops and Threads.

For the X(XX)Small Version use 36-Peg for the Cocoon and 24-peg for the Hat and adjust the number of stitches per pattern section. Watch the video for the XXS Pattern.

Hook: Any loom knitting hook. I used my old Knifty Knitter with a Rubber Band Grip

Yarn: This one is important. I tried 5 , knitting and then frogging my work before making a decision. Scroll up and see my notes above. I finally decided on Lion Brand’s Natures Choice Organic Yarn in Mustard. I used approximately 120 yards. Note that each skein has 103 yards.

Notions: Yarn Needle and Scissors

Stitches: Knit and Purl

Gauge:  4 Stitches and 6 Rows = 1 inch .  Note that 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters.

 

Pattern for Newborn Cocoon

This pattern is for the Small Version which works for the average newborn (10 inches across and 18 inches long) .  For other sizes use proper sized loom and add or subtract rows to each section as needed. See the Stitch Gauge and the ReliefShare.org Size Chart above to help with pattern adjustments.

 

Cast On: Wrap all your pegs then Flat Stitch the row.

 

Top Brim of Cocoon = Approximately 4 Inches

Rows 01 – 12:  Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 13 – 24:  Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Bottom Body of Cocoon = Approximately 14 inches

Rows 25 – 104: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 105 – 108: Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Cast off: Gathered Method

 

Pattern for Newborn Hat

This pattern is for a Newborn Hat about 6 inches in length.

 

Cast On: Wrap all your pegs then Flat Stitch the row.

 

Crown and Brim of Hat = Approximately 2.5 Inches

Rows 01 – 08: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 09 – 16: Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Hat  = Approximately  3.5 inches

Rows 17 – 33: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 34 – 36: Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Cast off: Gathered Method

 

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Pattern for Preemie Cocoon

This pattern is for the XXSmall Version (7 inches across and 12 inches long) .  For other sizes use proper sized loom and add or subtract rows to each section as needed. See the Stitch Gauge and the ReliefShare.org Size Chart above to help with pattern adjustments.

 

Cast On: Wrap all your pegs then Flat Stitch the row.

 

Top Brim of Cocoon = Approximately 2 Inches

Rows 01 – 08:  Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 09 – 16:  Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Bottom Body of Cocoon = Approximately 4 inches

Rows 17 – 69: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 70 – 72: Knit 2 , Purl 2

 

Cast off: Gathered Method

 

Pattern for Preemie Hat

This pattern is for a Newborn Hat about 4 inches in length.

 

Cast On: Wrap all your pegs then Flat Stitch the row.

 

Crown and Brim of Hat = Approximately 1.5 Inches

Rows 01 – 05: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 06 – 10: Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Hat  = Approximately  2.5 inches

Rows 11 – 21: Knit (U-wrap)

Rows 22 – 24: Knit 2, Purl 2

 

Cast off: Gathered Method

 

Baby Cocoon Video Tutorial

I always recommend watching the video tutorial completely from beginning to end before starting the project. This will give you a better sense of security that the project is doable and will help the knitting process go faster.

Don’t miss another video tutorial. To Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Click Here
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Tagged: babies, baby, baby projects, bag, blanket, blankets, cacoon, receiving, sac, sack, sleeper, sleeping bag, snug, snuggie, snuggy, swaddle, swaddler, throw