Preemie singlet - free knitting pattern

This is a very simple pattern, that I drafted after getting a request for some premature singlets from New Zealand charity Earlybuds.  They do a great job of providing packs of essentials for parents with babies in NICU in New Zealand.  Please feel free to use this pattern for your own use, and if you want to knit some items for earlybuds if you're in New Zealand, or your local hospital's NICU.  It might be worth checking what they want or need first though.

Premature vest

The vest is designed to be knit in pure wool, as natural fibres are better for such small babies.  It is knit in the round, so there are no seams which may irritate, and is ribbed so that it will grow with the baby.  The shoulders have sleeves to give easy access to add wires and the like.  The vest will fit from around 34 weeks, but you could easily make larger or smaller by casting on more or less stitches.

What you need

8ply/dk yarn, (one 50g ball will do approx 2 vests)
4mm circular needles or dpns.

Free Preemie singlet knitting pattern

Cast on 68 sts on either dpns or circular knitting needlesusing your favourite casting on method, I prefer to use a nice stretchy cast on.
Join in the round
knit 2 purl 2 around, this will form 2x2 rib
Continue working 2x2 rib until work measures 17cm, (7inches) long
Next round: Cast off six stitches
Work with next four stitches ONLY, knit 18 rows, cast off these four stitches.
Reattach yarn, cast off 14 sts, work with next four stitches ONLY, knit 18 rows, cast off these four stitches.
Reattach yarn cast off 12 sts, work with next four stitches ONLY, knit 18 rows, next row k1 yo ktog kt1, knit one more row, cast off.
Reattach yarn co 14 sts, work with next four stitches ONLY, knit 18 rows, next row k1 yo ktog kt1, knit one more row, cast off.
Reattach yarn and cast off remaining 6 sts.
Weave in ends, add buttons to shoulders.