Have you ever heard of a NICU bonding square?

If not, let me tell you about them.

NICU baby bonding squares are intended to help parents & NICU babies bond while they are separated during the baby’s hospital stay. The baby’s mother (or father) is given 2 bonding squares, the first one is worn agaist the parent’s skin so that it gets covered in the parent’s scent. The next day that first square is placed in the baby’s isolette so the baby can learn the scent and make a connection or attachment to that scent. Then the 2nd square is placed against the parent’s skin until the next day when the square can be switched. That way one square is always in the isolette with the baby!

NICU stays are always so tough on parents. Many times they feel helpless as their baby is being taken care of by doctors and nurses. These bonding squares make it so they are helping take care of their own baby in. avery tangible way.

(Althought this pattern is available for free down below, it is also available in an ad-free printable .PDF file for only $2.00. It can be downloaded instantly from Etsy or Ravelry. Purchasing my inexpensive patterns really help me be able to keep making patterns for other crocheters to enjoy. Thank you for supporting my small business!)

I was given the opportunity to provide Jj’s Bonding Square pattern as a free download in the 2022 Preemie Crochet Challenge hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet, and I jumped at the chance! You may not know this, but when I am not chasing my wild kids or wielding my Furls crochet hook, I am also a NICU nurse! So this Preemie Challenge really hits home for me. I know the importance of providing soft, warm textures to a little one. I have seem the impact of a handmade gift given to scared, confused, broken parents in their biggest time of need. If you would like to participate in the Preemie Challenge and donate your version of my pattern to a preemie in need, jump to the end of this post to find out more!

Don’t have time to work up this pattern right now? Pin this image for later.

If you like this pattern, check out this baby blanket!

JJ’s Baby Blanket

I made this blanket for my nephew Jett! Isn’t it perfect for a little baby boy?? The pattern is free on my blog.

Or you can purchase the ad-free pattern from Ravelry & Etsy.

Lean More HERE

NOTE: You can get 50% off the pattern download through Sunday, June 26, 2022. No Coupon is needed. Click here to access the pattern page.

JJ’s NICU Bonding Square

Purchase the Ad-Free Pattern

This crochet pattern has been provided to you for free on this website. However, it may be easier and more enjoyable to purchase a beautifully-designed, ad-free pattern. You may print it or save it in your digital files for later use.

Purchase on Ravelry

If you make JJ’s NICU bonding square, be sure to post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtag #juniperandoakes and #jaoblanket. I would love to see your work!

Materials

• Yarn: small portion of worsted weight yarn 

  • I used Brava Worsted yarn by WeCrochet in Denim

• Hook J/6.00 mm (I love my Furls Streamline Swirl in “Cookie!”)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Gauge

6 1/2 cluster stitches x 8 rows in 4″x4” square 

Stitch used to obtain gauge = Cluster Stitch – a sample taken from the pattern below

Finished Measurements

Approximately 4.5” x 4.5”

Stitch Abbreviations

ch – Chain

dc – Double Crochet

sc – Single Crochet

sl st – Slip Stitch

sk – Skip

st – Stitch

yo – Yarn Over

Notes

• US Terminology 
• Stitches between *asterisks* are repeated. 
• Color A is worked using the Even Moss Stitch. Color B is worked using the Moss Stitch. The border is worked using the Shell Stitch. Knowing these stitches may help in creating Piper’s Blankie. Click the links to watch videos by Daisy Farm Crafts. 
• Each color change should happen on the same side of the blanket. Instead of fastening off at each color change, I prefer to drop the yarn and pick it back up at the next color change. The border will cover up the extra yarn.

Special Stitches

Cluster – *yo, insert hook into st and draw up a loop; yo and draw through two loops,* repeat 2 more times in same stitch, yo and draw through all four loops remaining on hook

Click to watch the video.

Shell Stitch –  As worked up in the border section.  Click to watch the video.

Instructions

Body

Ch 12.

Row 1: Turn, sc into 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sk next ch, *sc, ch 1, sk next ch, * repeat across ending with sc in last ch. (6 sc; 5 ch1 sps) 11 sts total

Row 2: Ch 4, turn, *cluster in ch 1 space, ch 1* repeat across, dc in last st. (2 dc; 5 clusters; 6 ch1 sps) 13 sts total

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc into ch 1 space, *ch 1, sc into ch 1 space, sk next st, *repeat across, sc in ch 4 space.

Rows 4-9: Repeat Rows 2-3.

Don’t fasten off.

Border

Continuing from Row 9 of the body.

Round 1: Ch 1, turn, sc around the blanket, working one sc per stitch on the ends, one sc per sc and 2 sc per dc along the sides, and 3 sc into each corner. Sl st into starting st.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc into first st, sk next, 5 dc into next, sk next,* repeat around the blanket. Sl st into starting st. (May need to skip an extra stitch to make the final shell work out.)

Fasten off. 

Weave in all ends.

 

Purchase the Ad-Free Pattern

This bonding square pattern has been provided to you for free on this website. However, it may be easier and more enjoyable to purchase a beautifully-designed, ad-free pattern. You may print it or save it in your digital files for later use.

Purchase on Ravelry

The Preemie Crochet Challenge 2022

JJ’s NICU Bonding Square pattern is featured on Friday, June 24th, 2022, on the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2022 hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet. You can get this pattern as a free download all month long in honor of the Challenge. Head to the Round-Up Post to grab the coupon code. Then click the “Download the PDF pattern” button to be brought to Ravelry. Add the pattern to your cart. Apply the coupon code. & get crocheting for a good cause!

**Note: There is a bundle of ALL the patterns featured in this challenge. 100% of the money raised will go to a charity organization helping premature babies. Read the Round Up post for more info.

 

Thank you for being interested in my patterns!
Make sure you tag me in your social media post about this blankie!
@juniperandoakes #juniperandoakes

 

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2023. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes and #jaobookmark. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help in any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.