Free Crochet Chemo Hat Pattern: Easy Steps & Places to Donate

Chemotherapy is difficult, overwhelming and the hair loss that accommodates the treatments adds to the torment. Chemo caps are an easy way to express your compassion for someone fighting cancer and that they are not alone in their battle. There are several organizations that you can donate a crocheted chemo cap to and sites such as HeadHuggers has an extensive list of where to send a donation for the majority of states (see references section for more details).

This simple crochet hat pattern is quick and easy to complete. Your donation will be a welcome gift and there are a variety of ways to show your support, such as starting a community hat drive, or invite a few craft friends over for a night of crocheting chemo caps to donate.

A few tips to keep in mind when making a chemo cap, is the softer yarns are more comfortable such as cottons, cotton blends or synthetic blends. Do not use wool yarns as they can irritate a bald scalp and avoid patterns with bumps or thick seams as they tend to be uncomfortable.

Materials

Items You’ll Need:

• Soft Yarn
• Size I Crochet Hook

Abbreviations & Stitches Used

SC = single crochet

DC = double crochet

Sl ST = slip stitch

Ch = chain

Dec = decrease

Special Stitch:

V Stitch - double crochet, chain 2 and double crochet in same stitch.

Please see our article on basic crochet stitches for more help on individual stitch types.

Crocheted Chemo Cap Pattern

Chain 3, join to first ch to make a circle.

Round 1: Chain 3, 15 dc in ring and join with sl st to top of chain 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: Chain 3, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in next stitch and each stitch around (32 dc).

Round 3: Chain 3, dc in same stitch, dc in next stitch, * 2 dc in next stitch, 1 dc in next stitch* repeat from * to * around and join with sl st to top of beginning chain 3 (48 dc).

Round 4: chain 3, dc in same stitch. And dc in each of next. * 2 dc two dc in next stitch, 1 dc in each of next two stitches*, repeat from * to * around and join with sl st in top of chain 3 ( 64 dc).

Round 5: chain 3, dc in each stitch around and join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain 3 (64 dc).

Round 6: chain 1, sc in each stitch around and join with slip stitch in beginning chain 1 (64 sc).

Round 7: chain 5 and dc in same stitch. *skip 2 stitches, dc in next stitch, chain 3 and dc in same stitch* (V stitch made), repeat from * to * around to last 2 stitches, skip both stitches and join with slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning chain 5 (22 V stitches).

Round 8: chain 1 sc in chain 2 space, sc in next dc, *sc in next dc, sc in chain 2 space* repeat * to * around and join with slip in beginning chain 1 (64 sc).

Round 9: chain 1, sc in each sc around and join with slip stitch in beginning chain 1 (64 sc).

Round 10: {V Stitch row} Chain 5, dc in same stitch, skip 2 sc, dc in next stitch, chain 2 and dc in same stitch. *skip 2 sc, dc in next stitch, chain 2 and dc in same stitch* , repeat from * to * around to last 2 sc, skip and join with slip stitch in chain 3 of beginning chain 5 ( 22 V stitches).

Round 11: Repeat round 8 (64 sc).

Rounds 12 and 13: Repeat round 9 (64 sc in each round).

Round 14: V-stitch row. Repeat round 10 (22 v stitches).

Round 15: repeat round 8 (64 sc).

Round 16 and 17: repeat round 9 ( 64 sc in each round).

Round 18: (decrease round)-chain 1, dec sc over next 2 stitches, sc in each of next 15 stitches, *dec sc over next two stitches, sc in each of next 15 stitches* repeat around and join with slip stitch in beginning chain 1 (62 sc).

Round 19: chain 1, sc in each stitch around and join with slip stitch to beginning chain 1 (62 sc).

Fasten off and weave in ends.

After completing the hat, wash it in hypoallergenic and perfume free laundry detergent. Package the hat in an airtight zip lock baggie to protect it from dust and pet hair until ready to ship to the donation center. If you would like to make several styles of caps to send to the donation center, there are a variety of excellent and free crochet chemo hat patterns available on various sites such the HeadHuggers website.

References

Head Huggers: Individual state listings https://www.headhuggers.org/groups/groups.asp

Head Huggers: Patterns https://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/patterns.htm

Lion Brand: Learn to crochet https://learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/

Images and pattern by writer