Valle Preemie Bonding Squares – Free Crochet Pattern

Preemie bonding squares are small projects that can help in a big way! Make these tiny squares to bring help a new mom make a connection with her baby. This crochet pattern can be worked up quickly and shared with your local NICU, or given to a mom who has just welcomed her premature little one home—giving her a reminder that she’s not alone on this journey.

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.

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MATERIALS

Finished Sizes: approx. 5″ square

Yarn: #5 chunky weight – 5 oz/211 yd skeins
Sample used: Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky in Crisp Air – 1 oz/43 yds (will make 2)

Crochet Hook: Size K/10.5 (6.5 mm)

Notions: Yarn Needle

Gauge: 2 repeats x 12 rows = 3½” in patt

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

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
yo – yarn over

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

Notes:

Squares can be adjusted by adding, or subtracting, in multiples of 5+1.
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:

FPdc (Front Post double crochet) – yo, insert hook from front to back to front around post of st indicated, yo, pull up loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] 2 times. Video tutorial here

PREEMIE BONDING SQUARES CROCHET PATTERN

(make 2)

Ch 16.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (15 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (15 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st, FPdc around same st as previous post st, sc in each of next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 4 sts, sk next st, FPdc in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st, FPdc around same st as previous post st, sc in last st, turn. (9 sc, 6 FPdc)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (15 sc)

Rows 5–15: Repeat Rows 3 & 4.

Border

(optional)

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

Fasten off.

The Vale Preemie Bonding Squares was created for the Annual Preemie Challenge 2025 that is hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. It will be available for free download until the end of the event.