It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the babies, families and staff at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, who dressed six of their hospital’s newborns in tiny crocheted red cardigans and sneakers to honor the late Fred Rogers, also known as Mister Rogers.
The adorable outfits, inspired by the beloved, Cardigan-wearing Rogers’ classic look, were crocheted by Caitlin Pechin, a registered nurse at the hospital, who told CBS Pittsburgh it took her two to three hours to make each sweater and an additional 30 minutes to make the sneakers.
“It’s more just something I do for fun, and I really enjoy making things for babies because they look so cute in them,” she said.
The event, held for World Kindness Day on November 13—also known as Cardigan Day in the Steel City, as a way of encouraging others in the community to wear red cardigans—featured a concert pianist and hospital staff, who played and sang along to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song, “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” They were joined by the TV icon’s wife, Joanne Rogers, who told CBS Pittsburgh her husband would have loved seeing the babies dressed in his signature attire just as much as she did.
“Well, I am an old lady, and I just love babies,” she said. “I don’t know many people who don’t love little babies.”
Although Mister Rogers passed away in 2003, Mrs. Rogers believes his message of kindness continues to live on after his death.
She told the station, “I think Fred is doing what he can—with a little help from his friends.”
