Comfy Chemo Caps

There's a bonus with this newsletter: Instead of one free pattern, there are two. Both are hat patterns designed especially for use as chemo caps, the close-fitting and ultrasoft hats we knit with nonallergenic fibers like alpaca. No rough stuff will do in this case! Yes, alpaca is best hand-washed, but do not let that requirement deter you; it is so worth the tiny effort! Anyone who receives the blessing of your hand-knit generosity will thank you sincerely, and you will be twice blessed. The two designs are by Nazanin S. Fard, one of our favorite designers for Creative Knitting.

Skill Level

Easy

Size

Woman's average

Cable Ribbed Cap

Finished Measurement

Circumference: 20 1/2 inches

Materials

Moda Dea Fashionista 50 percent acrylic/50 percent Tencel/Lyocell medium weight yarn (183 yds/100g per ball): 1 ball blue jean #6130
Size 8 (5mm) double-pointed (set of 5) and 16-inch circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Gauge

19 sts and 26 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in Cabled Rib

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviations

Inc1 (Increase 1): Knit in front and back of st.

LC (Left Cross): With RH needle behind LH needle, skip 1 st and knit the 2nd st through the back lp; insert RH needle into the backs of both sts (the skipped st and the 2nd st) and k2tog-tbl.

Pattern Stitch

Cabled Rib (multiple of 4 sts)

Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.

Rnd 2: *LC, p2; rep from * around.

Rep Rnds 1 and 2 for pat.

Pattern Note

Change to circular needle when sts will fit comfortably on it.

Cap

With dpn, cast on 4 sts; distribute sts to 4 dpns; place marker for beg of rnd, join taking care not to twist sts.

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8: Inc1 in every st. (64 sts)

Rnds 3, 5, 7, 9: Purl.

Rnd 10: *Inc1, k1; rep from * around. (96 sts)

Work in Cabled Rib until piece measures 8 inches from top.

Work K2, P2 Rib for 2 inches.

Bind off very loosely in rib.

I-cord decoration

Leaving an 8-inch tail, cast on 3 sts.

*K3, do not turn, sl sts back to LH needle; rep from * until cord measures 40 inches.

Bind off, leaving an 8-inch tail.

Wrap the cord around 2 fingers. Pass the tails through the lps to create a pompom shape. Attach and secure to top of hat.

Weave in all ends.

Cap With Brim

Finished Measurement

Circumference (before brim): 21 1/2 inches

Materials

Lion Brand Lion Cashmere Blend 72 percent merino wool, 15 percent nylon, 13 percent cashmere medium weight yarn (84 yds/40g per ball): 3 balls light blue #105
Size 8 (5mm) double-pointed and 16-inch circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Sewing needle and matching thread
6 (4mm) pearls (optional)
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Gauge

18 sts and 26 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviations

Inc1 (Increase 1): Knit in front and back of st.

M1 (Make 1): Insert LH needle from front to back under the running thread between the last st worked and next st on LH needle. With RH needle, knit into the back of this lp.

Pattern Stitch

Garter St (in the rnd)

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep Rnds 1 and 2 for pat.

Cap

With dpn, cast on 3 sts; distribute to 3 dpns; place marker for beg of rnd and join, taking care not to twist sts.

Rnd 1: Inc1 around. (6 sts)

Rnd 2 and all even-numbered rnds: Knit.

Rnd 3: *K1, M1; rep from * around. (12 sts)

Rnd 5: Rep Rnd 3. (24 sts)

Rnd 7: *K2, M1; rep from * around. (36 sts)

Rnd 9: *K3, M1; rep from * around. (48 sts)

Rnd 11: *K4, M1; rep from * around. (60 sts)

Rnd 13: *K5, M1; rep from * around. (72 sts)

Rnd 15: *K6, M1; rep from * around. (84 sts)

Rnd 17: *K7, M1; rep from * around. (96 sts)

Work even in St st for 4 inches.

Brim

Rnd 1: *Inc1, k1; rep from * around. (144 sts)

Rnds 2–4: Work in Garter St, beg with a purl rnd.

Rnd 5: Rep Rnd 1. (216 sts)

Rnds 6–14: Work in Garter St.

Bind off all sts loosely.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Block as necessary.

Flower

Lower row petals

Cast on 5 sts.

Rows 1–4: Inc1, knit to end. (9 sts)

Row 5: Knit. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail, but leave sts on needle.

Knit 4 more petals the same way. Do not cut yarn for the last petal.

Join petals

Row 1: Knit across all 5 petals. (45 sts)

Row 2: K2tog across to last st, k1. (23 sts)

Row 3: K2tog across to last st, k1. (12 sts)

Row 4: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn leaving an 8-inch tail.

Weave in all ends.

Upper row petals

Cast on 3 sts.

Rows 1–4: Inc1, knit to end. (7 sts)

Row 5: Knit. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail, but leave sts on needle.

Knit 4 more petals the same way. Do not cut yarn for the last petal.

Join petals

Row 1: Knit across all 5 petals. (35 sts)

Row 2: K2tog across to last st, k1. (18 sts)

Row 3: K2tog across. (9 sts)

Row 4: K2tog across to last st, k1. (5 sts)

Cut yarn leaving an 8-inch tail. Using tapestry needle, thread tail through rem sts, and pull tight, then secure tail.

Weave in all ends.

Place the upper row petals on the center of the lower petals and sew the center tog.

Sew the flower on the side of the hat, right above the brim.

With sewing needle and matching thread, sew the pearls to the center of flower for decoration.