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Chemo Caps

jennabee25 by jennabee25

A Labor of Love

Cancer patients going through chemotherapy have a tough battle ahead of them. Many of them lose their hair, and this can be a very emotional thing to have happen. To help keep heads warm and give them something fun to wear, I've decided to knit chemo caps. Chemo caps can be knit, crocheted, and even sewn. Many people adorn their caps with buttons, pins, and other embellishments for a fun look. It is also comforting for the patient to know that someone cares enough to give them a something to add a little comfort into their lives.

Cancer has been a thorn in my family's side. I lost my father to lung cancer in 2005 and I remember when he lost his hair to chemotherapy. Even as a man, it was very difficult for him. My aunt has suffered from breast cancer. My sister had a melanoma. My grandmother fought different cancers at different times in her life before she succumbed to lung cancer as well. I remember her losing her hair. My supervisor Dawn has fought and beat leukemia TWICE. I want to do something to honor them. Please join me in helping cancer patients all over the country and world. All royalties from this lens are going the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

What type of yarn to use?

You have to be careful when you choose yarn for a chemotherapy cap. You need to take into consideration texture and softness. Wool is ok, but many people can be allergic to animal fibers, except alpaca, and you can purchase alpaca wool and blends. Soft acrylics and cotton are good, too. Bamboo yarn is also another great choice. Novelty fun fur is another excellent choice and can be combined with another yarn to make a unique cap.

Listed below are some yarns that are recommended for knitting and crocheting chemo caps. There is a lot to choose in many great colors!

This is not an exhaustive list, but just some of the ones that I've come across. Go to your local kntting store and see what they have a recommend.
  • Caron Simply Soft I have bought this yarn and is lives up to its name. The yarn is 100 percent acrylic and machine washable.
  • Stitch Nation Yarns Debbie Stoller is awesome. Not only do her books rock, but her yarn does, too. Take a look at Alpaca Love and Bamboo Ewe.
  • Debbie Bliss Yarns: Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino yarn is a great choice for chemo caps. It can be a little pricey, but worth it.
  • Lion Brand Yarns: Lion Brand has a ton of choices for great chemo caps, including fun fur, and cotton.
  • Bernat Yarns: Bernat has a ton of cotton yarns in great colors and jacquards.
  • Lily Sugar N. Cream: All cotton and all lovely. I've starting knitting with this yarn and it just feels good in my fingers.
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Where do I get patterns?

I believe that just about any hat pattern could make a good chemo cap, but there are a few things to consider. One, you want full coverage for a hat. For colder weather, avoid hats with a lot of holes in them, such as ones with lace work. A close fit is another thing to consider. Hats with a seam are ok, but ones without one are great for sleeping in, so break out those circular and double pointed needles! Still, as I said, for fun, any hat can be a chemo cap. Here are a few places with great patterns for chemo caps.
Head Huggers Patterns
Head Huggers has a great page of patterns for knitters, crocheters, and sewers. Also, check out her main page for how else you can contribute.
A Bluestocking Knits Chemo Caps Tips and Patterns
This page also features different yarns you and and patterns. You will have to copy and paste the patterns into your browser.
Lion Brand Yarn
You will have to register on this site, but Lion Brand offers quite a few caps that are good for chemo caps. Some to look for are Comforting Blue Cap (crochet pattern), Tranquil Violet Hat (knit pattern), and the Knit Chemo Cap (knit pattern).
Knitting Help Adult Hat Patterns
Some of the hats here can be great for chemo caps. Just watch what yarn you use.

Please Give!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the

Some of My Favorite Hat Patterns

This list shows some of my favorite go-to patterns for chemo hats.
Caramel Swirl Hat
From Lion Brand Yarns, this is a great hat for beginner knitters.
Simple hat with ribbed edge - KnittingHelp.com Forum
Simple hat with ribbed edge
Head Huggers: Knit Pattern: The Inside Out Knit Chemo Cap
Head Huggers: Knit Pattern 20
The Inside Out Knit Chemo Cap
Head Huggers: Knit Pattern: Stretchy Knit Hat
Head Huggers: Knit Pattern 8
Stretchy Knit Hat

Hats I've Knit

I used Lion Brand Yarn Tweed Stripes in Caribbean and used this pattern.: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0470.html?noImages= You will have to register on the web site to get the pattern itself.

I used Lion Brand Yarn Tweed Stripes in Caribbean and used this pattern.: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0470.html?noImages= You will have to register on the web site to get the pattern itself.

I used Lion Brand Yarn Tweed Stripes in Caribbean and used this pattern.: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0470.html?noImages= You will have to register on the web site to get the pattern itself.
I used Caron Simply Soft Yarn in Blue mint to make this pretty pattern. To get the pattern, go to this site.: http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt20.htm
Here I used Lily's Sugar 'N Cream cotton yarn with this easy pattern.: http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28309
This is a stack of ten hats I recently delivered to the local cancer center in my community.
I made this hat for a young man named Logan. He is a relation of mine, and is a teenager fighting cancer.

Who do I give the caps to?

Now that you have all these lovely soft caps, how do you get them to those who need them? Here are a few ideas and web sites that you can check out.
  • Local oncology centers and hospitals
  • Oncology doctors' offices.
  • Give one to a friend or loved one. Ask around to see who needs one!
  • Knitting forums and web sites usually have links to charities that take chemo caps.
  • Hats of Comfort offers a way to distribute donated caps. They are also a local group for me, but check them out!
  • Head Huggers is run by one person and she does a great job. She lists some great tips and guidelines. She also is need of assistance in paying for postage, so that is a way you can help if you do not knit, crochet or sew.

More Ways Knitters (And Crocheters) Can Give

Different yarn companies have promotions going on when they will donate money either through a kit or special yarn to a cancer-related charity.
Breast Cancer Support Scarf Kit -- 10% of Gross Sales Donated at Jimmy Beans Wool
Knitting For Breast Cancer - show your support for breast cancer research by knitting this scarf for yourself or for a loved one.

This is a great promotion for by Jimmy Beams Wool. Take the time to check this out! It would make a great gift that gives back.
Shop.Bernat.com : All Things Pink
Until the end of November 2011, Bernat is offering 20% pink yarn to encourage knitters and crocheters to knit for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Certain pink yarns were created for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds go to the foundation.

More information!

Still interested and need a few more ideas? Check out these sites!
Knit Chemotherapy Hats for Cancer Patients
Chemotherapy hats - How to knit chemo hats for cancer patients undergoing chemotheraphy treatment. Find chemotherapy hat patterns, chemo cap tags, and mail-in instructions for Head Huggers.
Covering our Hair
Links to headcovering patterns
Fanconi Anemia Chemo Cap Project
 "Kendall, what are you most afraid of about having a bone marrow transplant?"
..."Losing my hair."
Brimming with Love - Patterns
More hat patterns for sewers, crocheters, and knitters!
tlc Catalog
Wigs, hats, and scarves for cancer patients. TLC offers a wide selection of hair loss products for women going through chemotherapy, radiation or surgical treatments.
Look Good...Feel Better | Helping Women With Cancer
Look Good...Feel Better is non-medical, brand-neutral public service program that teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients to help them manage the appearance related side effects of cancer treatment.

If you don't knit, what you can do!

I urge you, no matter what your skills and talents are, to do something for our cancer patients. Whether though donations, your time, or other activities, such as Relay for Life, a small gesture can make a big difference.

The American Cancer Society has some great suggestions on other things you can do.

Featured on 02/22/2011!

What are you going to do to help cancer patients? Leave a comment and/or feedback!

  • naheedahsan Feb 9, 2012 @ 12:21 pm | delete
    Great subject.,,,,,,,you´re doing a great thing.
  • naheedahsan Feb 9, 2012 @ 12:21 pm | delete
    Great subject.,,,,,,,you´re doing a great thing.
  • Jo Ellen Wright Dec 14, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    I knit lap blankets for chemo treatments and donate them to our local hospital. I use 3 skeins of Homespun and use the knitted dish cloth pattern.
  • pawpaw911 Oct 23, 2011 @ 7:18 am | delete
    Great subject. You don't think of it till you or someone you know needs one. Nicely done.
  • hlkljgk Sep 24, 2011 @ 2:43 pm | delete
    thanks for the patterns
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jennabee25

I am a photographer from Pennsylvania who enjoys not only photographing dogs, but other subjects as well. By day I work for my county's government, an... more »

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