Pink Swirl Preemie Hat

This pattern is knit in red and white and called Candy Cane in Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice by Melanie Falick.

I adapted the pattern as follows to make a preemie hat:
Using size 2 needles and DK yarn cast on 48 stitches.
Knit 6 rounds in stockinette stitch

**NOTE: There is an error in the pattern. Round 1 of the crown shaping should be as follows:
Rnd 1: K1, *skp, k4; repeat from * to last 5 sts, skp, k3.
All of the following rounds are correct.

Tomato Preemie Hat

The pattern is here.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat

The pattern can be found here.

One Million a Year

This article is about a report done by the March of Dimes
More Than One Million Preemies Die in First Month Annually:

In the United States, the rate of preterm births has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years, with births between the 34th and 36th week of gestation accounting for the majority of the increase, the organization found. Much of the hike in preterm births is linked to more pregnancies after the age of 35 and the use of fertility treatments that can lead to multiple births.

"Wherever trend data are available, rates of preterm birth are increasing," the report said.

Infants who survive premature birth face lifelong health risks, including the possible development of cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning disabilities and other chronic conditions, according to the March of Dimes.

I can't do much about this, except knit little baby hats. And pray.