Calvin's Hats

Calvin's Parents, Jenna and John share is story on the Calvin's Hats website:

We lost our son at 22 weeks gestation to alobar holoprosencephaly.

When we lost our son, Calvin, we discovered there is little clothing tiny enough for babies that are born too early. Although the hospital offered us preemie-sized hats for our son's small head, they were still too big. We felt as though this was one more thing we would not be able to do right or give to our son.

Through the experience of losing our son, we learned that very small things, which seem unimportant to others, mean a great deal to those who lose a child.

We are offering to grieving parents a gift which can bring a small amount of comfort and peace... a hat tiny enough to fit right on their precious child's head and something to hold on to when their child is no longer here.

Our wish is for these hats to bring a small amount of healing.

From the Calvin's Hats Website.

Our wish is that these tiny hats will carry with them a small amount of healing, comfort, and peace.

Our hearts are with you.

Love,
Calvin's Daddy and Mommy

Calvin's Hat Pattern was designed by Sarah DuVal.

Materials Needed:

Double pointed needles, size US #6
One skein of soft, sportweight or DK yarn, such as Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (yummy), Lion Brand Baby Soft, Bernat Baby Jacquards, Sindar Tiny Tots, etc., in pinks and blues.

** One skein of yarn makes several little hats.**

The guage should be about 11 stitches per two inches - making the hat about 6 1/2 inches around. It would fit on a medium sized nectarine.

Pattern:
Cast on 33 stitches evenly over the three needles (11 stitches per needle.)
Join the round being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rows.
At the beginning of the 6th row, knit 6 stitches, add a stitch, knit 11 stitches, add a stitch, knit 11 stitches, add a stitch, knit to the end of the row.
There should be 36 stitches, 12 stitches on each needle.
Knit until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast on edge.

In the beginning of the next row:
Knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together ... continue in this pattern of knitting 2 together and knitting 5 to the end of the row
K 2 together, k 4, k 2 together ... continue pattern to the end of the row
K 2 together, k 3, k 2 together ... continue pattern to the end of the row
K 2 together, k 2, k 2 together ... continue pattern to the end of the row
K 2 together, k 1, k 2 together ... continue pattern to the end of the row
K 2 together, k 2 together ... continue pattern to the end of the row

Break the yarn off about three inches, or so, and draw the yarn through the remaining stitches knitwise.
Take the tail of yarn to the inside and pull it tight.
Make a knot flush against the piece and work the end of the yarn into the stitches to hide it.
At the cast on edge, work the end of yarn into the edge stitches to hide it.

Be sure to read the additional notes below.

Read the additional notes from Calvin hat designer Sarah DuVal.

Notes:
The hat is worked in the round to avoid any rough seams inside.

The hat is bound off at the top as noted to avoid any bunching that might harm delicate skin.

If you choose to embellish the hat with ribbons, buttons, and the like, be sure to pick things that do not protrude into the inner surface of the hat with edges or bumps that could be uncomfortable, or harm delicate skin.

Since the hat has a rolled edge, it can be rolled up a bit to fit a smaller tiny baby or stretched a bit to fit a slightly larger tiny baby.

For you knitters who can add stripes or fancy pattern stitches without needing instructions, feel free.

It has been my experience in knitting for moms, that they prefer sex specific colors for their baby's clothing and hats. (Try to stay strong when you see all of those tempting colors out there!)

While I knit each hat I like to say a little prayer for the mommies, the daddies and the tiny babies who will receive the hats. Your prayers mean a lot.

Thanks for joining in this project and God bless each one of you!

Calvin's Hats represents volunteers of Oregon dedicated to bringing healing, comfort, and peace to grieving parents of babies born too early.

All supplies and labor are donated and there is no charge to recipients.

You can contact Calvin's Hats via email or by mail.

Website: Contact Page

Email: calvins.hats at gmail.com

Mail:
Calvin's Hats
c/o Annie Willems
P.O. Box 4723
Salem, OR 97302

Phone: Annie at (503)510-0417

If you'd like a hat for someone you know or you'd like to have a small supply for your office, please email us or call .

Calvin's Hats hasn't been set up yet as a registered charity. At this point their goal is simply to bless families.

You can help by looking through their wish list below and choosing one of the items that they can use.

You can also send a donation (at this point without the benefit of a tax deduction), that will be used to bless even more families.

Calvin's Hats haven't been set up yet as a registered charity. At this point their goal is simply to bless families.

Those who have made Calvin's Hat or other itsy bitsy clothing items or other items that you'd like to send our way for distribution, please mail them to:

Calvin's Hats
c/o Annie Willems
P.O. Box 4723
Salem, OR 97302

You can send monetary donations to calvins.hats@gmail.com or by following the donation link to their PayPal account.

Calvin's Hats is now set up to accept donations via PayPal.

You can send a donation by clicking on the PayPal button:

You can also send them a direct donation to the Calvin's Hats email address: calvins.hats@gmail.com

Note: Calvin's Hats is still not a registered charity. At this point their goal is simply to bless families who have been affected by the loss of a baby.