Pelia Preemie Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

The Pelia Preemie Blanket is a small blanket made to bring warmth, comfort, and love to a precious little one. Named after the Hebrew word for miracle, Pelia is a beautiful reminder of the hope and strength surrounding these tiny babies. Crochet one to donate during the Preemie Crochet Challenge and help wrap a little miracle in something made with love.

Note: Please make sure you check with your local NICU department to see if they are accepting bonding square and/or other preemie items, and what their specific regulations might be.

MATERIALS

Finished Sizes:

Lovey – 12” x 12”
Preemie Blanket – 18” x 22”

Yarn: #3 DK/Light worsted weight – 1.75 oz/131 yd skeins
Sample used: Loops & Thread Luxe Merino in Jade Multi

Lovey – 15.5 oz/1180 yds
Preemie – 44 oz/3340 yds

Crochet Hook: Size H/8 (5 mm)

Notions: Yarn Needle

Gauge: 5 repeats x 24 rows = 4” in pattern

Difficulty: Adv Beginner – Uses basic stitches, as well as post stitches to create texture without shaping.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
ssc – spiked single crochet
yo – yarn over

For a full list of abbreviations, please see my List of Abbreviations.

Notes:

Blanket can be adjusted by adding, or subtracting, in multiples of 3.
When adjusting the size be sure to consider yarn requirements.
Border is optional and will add a bit more to the yarn requirements.

Special Stitches:

SSC (Spiked Single Crochet) – insert hook in indicated sc 3 rows below, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through both loops.
SSC v-st (Spiked Single Crochet V-Stitch) – work ssc in indicated sc 3 rows below, sc in next st, ssc in same sc as previous ssc. Video tutorial here

PELIA PREEMIE BLANKET

Lovey (Preemie Blanket):

Ch 45 (69).
Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (44, 68 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. (44, 68 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1^st sc, *sk next sc, ssc in next beg ch (see Special Stitches), sc in next sc, ssc in same beg ch as previous ssc, rep from * across, sc in last sc, turn. (28, 44 ssc & 16, 24 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (44, 68 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in 1^st sc, *sk next sc, ssc in next sc (3 rows down), sc in next sc, ssc in sc as previous ssc, rep from * across, sc in last sc, turn. (14, 22 ssc v-sts & 1 sc on each end)

Rows 6 – 72 (135): Repeat Rows 4 – 5.

Optional Border

Round 1: Sc in each st around, work 3 sc in each corner st.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

SPIKED SINGLE CROCHET V-STITCH

The Pelia Preemie Blanket was created for the Annual Preemie Challenge 2026 that is hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. It will be available for free download until the end of the event.