Materials:

Preemie size 6 pounds or under. Size of gown depends on size of needles and weight of yarn.
Size 5 and 8 knitting needles
Baby yarn 1.75 oz (2 skeins)
Pictured gown was made from Lion Brand Yarn 2.5 ounces
Wool-Ease White Pearl (with sparkle thread)

Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
st- stitch
YO – yarn over
BO – bind off
Inc - increase
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
Stockinette – knit one row, purl one row
RS- right side
WS – wrong side * - repeat again starting at astrisk
YOF – wrap yarn completely around ending with yarn in front as to purl
YOB – wrap yarn completely around ending with yarn in back as to knit

BODICE (Waistband)
Using size 8 knitting needle, Cast on 35 st. Knit 2 rows.
K2, * YO, K2tog, K1, repeat from * to end of row. Knit 3 rows.

Change to size 5 needles. Stockinette 4 rows. At end of last row, place a marker, then cast on 20 stitches. This will be one sleeve.
>br? RS – k across to end, place a marker, then cast on 20 stitches. This is the other sleeve.
WS – p across Stockinette on these 75 stitches until the cast on sleeve area is 2 inches wide.

1) K29, BO 17, K 29 ( you just made neck opening )
2) – P 29, add the 2nd skein of yarn to other side, P 29.
3) – K 27, K2tog, go to other side, K2tog, K 27.
4) - P both sides AND ALL THE FOLLOWING EVEN ROWS
5)- K 26, K2tog, go to other side, K2tog, K 26.
7)– K both sides
9) – K 26, Inc 1 st., go to other side, Inc 1 st, K 26
11)– K 27, Inc 1 st, go to other side, Inc 1 st, K 27
13) – K 28, Inc 1 st, go to other side, Inc 1 st, K 28
15)- K 30, Cast on 15 st, ( break off one of the yarn) K to end ( You just finished neck Opening)
16) – P across ( remove markers when you come to them )
17) – Stockinette until sleeves measure 5 inches.
Cast off 20 st. at beginning next 2 rows. ( 35 sts)
Continue in stockinette st. next 3 rows.
WS – Knit next 3 rows.
RS - K2, * YO, K2tog, K1, repeat from * to end of row. Knit 2 rows. BO knit-wise.
Break off yarn leaving 8 inch yarn to sew sleeve.
WS- Sew one sleeve seam down to the eyelet waistband.
Using smaller needle, Pick up 72 stitches at eyelet waistband.

SKIRT
Use larger needle and attach yarn.
RS – stockinette 2 rows.
Begin pattern:
1) K2, * YOF, P1, P3tog, YOB, K2 (place marker after K2) repeat from * to end, K2
2) Purl across
3) Knit across
4) Purl across
Continue rows 1 through 4 until desired skirt length. ( 8 to 10 inches for very small preemie)
WS - knit next 6 rows then BO.
Leave approximately 16 inches of yarn to sew side seam, eyelet waistband and remaining sleeve.
Use ribbon through the eyelet waistband for decoration.
You may also crochet chain stitch tie approximately 30 inches and run through eyelet waistband.

Decoration: at front bodice, you could use some small, pretty buttons
or embroidered appliqués or even a small bow.
(I do not know how to crochet that well, but you could also crochet edges at the sleeves and neckband.)

MATCHING BONNET
Size 5 knitting needles
Cast on 12 stitches (back)
Stockinette for 3½ inches
RS – k across, at end of row, cast on 20 stitches.
WS – p across, at end of row, cast on 20 stitches.
Stockinette for 2 rows. Begin Pattern: 1) K2, * YOF, P1, P3tog, P1, YOB, K2 ( place marker after K2) repeat from * ending K2 2) P across
3) K across
4) P across
Continue pattern for 5 inches ending with purl row.
K next 6 rows (remove markers as you go along)
BO. Sew each side of bonnet to back.

Neckband
Pick up 50 stitches along bottom edge of left, center back, and right side of bonnet.
K 3 rows.
RS – eyelet row K2 * YO, K2tog, K1, repeat from * to end.
K 2 rows then BO.
Again, at eyelet row, lace a ribbon or crochet chain stitch cord approximately 30
inches through eyelet for a tie.