Bonding Square Free Crochet Pattern

This free crochet bonding square pattern is ideal to make to donate or gift at baby showers. Bonding squares are used when babies can’t be close their parents after birth due to treatment.

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Crochet Bonding Square | Free Crochet Patterns

A pair of bonding squares are sometimes provided by neonatal units to allow the scent of a newborns parents to be close to them if urgent care is needed after birth , where the parents are unable to hold the baby.

The squares are shared between the parents and the new born with the squares being exchanged every 12 hours, with the scent allowing for distanced bonding.

I have been making the Paired Up Bonding square to donate to the Milton Keynes Neonatal unit, who at this time are happy to receive donations.

Due to the size of preemie babies, if you are looking to make and donate, please ensure that you use baby suitable yarn, with no glitter, or added shimmer and that the pattern you choose has no holes for tiny fingers and toes to get tangled in.

If you would like to donate, contact your local hospitals PAL’s team to see what donations are needed.

Purchase the Printable PDF Pattern

You can download your printable PDF copy of the Paired Up Bonding Square pattern from both my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Shop for only £2.50 where you’ll receive 2 copies of the pattern – 1 in UK Terms and 1 in US Terms.

Click the button below to purchase. All Profit from purchases of this crochet pattern are donated to Milton Keynes Hospital Charity.

Purchase from Etsy

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Paired Up Bonding Square

Skill Level: Easy

Materials:

To complete this project you will need:

100m DK (size 3) Yarn
I used Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino 57% wool, 33% acrylic 10% cashmere (50g 130m/142yds)

in the shade 453
4mm Crochet Hook
Scissors

Tapestry needle for chunky yarn

Abbreviations: US terms

St(s) Stitch(es)

Ch Chain

Sc Single Crochet

HDc Double Crochet

PHDc Paired Half Double Crochet

Gauge:

Gauge is not essential for this project

Finished Size:

5 inches x 5 inches

Pattern Notes:

Whatever your skill level with crochet, I would always recommend reading through this pattern before beginning. Get in touch if you need any help completing the pattern.
Ch1 at the beginning of the row DOES NOT count as a stitch.

Preemie Crochet Challenge 2021

On Friday 27th August 2021, this pattern was featured on the preemie crochet challenge hosted by Sunflower Cottage Crochet.

Click here to see all the patterns that featured in this great event.

How to make this Crochet Bonding Square Pattern

Make 2:

Ch 24

Row 1: HDc in 2nd Ch from hook, and in each Ch across. Turn. (23)

Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as a St), HDc in same St as Ch1, *PHDc, HDc in next*, repeat between * and * to end of row. Turn. (23)

Row 3: Repeat Row 2

Row 4: Ch1, HDc in each St across. Turn. (23)

Repeat Rows 2-4, 4 times for a total row count of 16.

Do not turn or fasten off.

Edging (worked in the round)

Round 1:

Ch1, Sc evenly (into the end of each row) down the side of the square, [2Sc, Ch1, 2Sc] into the 1st St of the other side of the chain
Sc into each other side of the chain, [2Sc, Ch1, 2Sc] into the last stitch of the chain
Sc evenly up the other side of the square