This pattern is designed specifically for preemie babies weighing 2-5 pounds at birth. It takes very little yarn, and I usually make them using remnants from other projects.

Errata: there is a mistake in the pattern! Thank you, Sbouwense for pointing it out to me!

The instructions say to cast on 48, or 18 stitches on each of three needles. Needless to say that math does not work! Cast on 54 stitches!