2/28/11: I’m not sure what size this hat will be when finished because I’m using worsted weight yarn instead of fingering weight.

Using size 3 dpns, but I modified the pattern a little when I cast on.

Cast on 64 stitches (hat pattern gives sizes in multiples of 8) - 8 less than the preemie size (in fingering weight). I hope this will produce a newborn size.

Haven’t had a chance to work on the pattern yet - only just cast on.

3/1/11: Finished the hat this evening. I struggled with this hat and by no means was it any fault of the pattern. I even placed stitch markers to help keep me on track!

I had to frog and start over. I meant to cast on 64 but I can’t count and I cast on 68 - that number doesn’t compute for this pattern!!

Then after I finally got into the swing of things and started the swirl, my patterning was off. Oh crud. So I ripped back 3 rows and started that over.
Then, I kept messing up my stitch count. Grrr!! By ten I was sick of it all so I just made modifications when I made a mistake. The hat also turned out a little stiff because I used worsted, not fingering weight.

I think this could work for a preemie. And overall the hat is cute and I enjoy the swirl pattern.

Link to more info