I designed this pattern according to the specifications provided by the health care workers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a local children’s hospital, and have been making these mitts for several years. Often times these are the only clothing items that the babies wear, aside from their diapers. There is also some anecdotal evidence that these mittens contribute to improved outcomes for these wee humans through a reduction in the number of times they accidentally pull out their equipment (e.g., breathing or feeding tubes, IV or central lines, monitoring leads).

This is also a great way to use those small bits of leftover sock yarns!