Knit Beanie Chemo Cap - Free Pattern
The Knitted Beanie Chemo Cap is a soft, soothing hat designed to bring comfort and warmth to anyone experiencing hair loss. Crafted with Cotton to the Core Worsted, a gentle cotton-blend yarn known for its breathability and buttery softness, this beanie offers the perfect balance of stretch, structure, and all-day comfort. With its smooth fabric and timeless shape, it’s a thoughtful project for loved ones or a meaningful donation to chemo cap charities.
Why This Pattern Is Perfect for Chemo Patients
This beanie is especially ideal for chemo patients because Cotton to the Core Worsted is incredibly gentle on sensitive, irritation-prone scalps. The cotton-rich blend provides cool breathability while still offering a soft, cushioned feel against the skin. Its natural stretch ensures a secure, pressure-free fit—an important detail for those coping with hair loss. Lightweight yet cozy, this yarn makes the beanie comfortable to wear day or night, offering warmth, reassurance, and soothing softness exactly where it’s needed most.
Download a printable pattern PDF
What You’ll Need
- Yarn: KnitPal Cotton to the Core Worsted (#4 worsted, 65% cotton/35% acrylic, 218 yds/100g) Approximately 51 [73, 98, 119, 141] yards
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Needles: 5mm/US8 Double Pointed Needle set, or two circular needles at 16-inch length or longer, or one circular needle at a length comfortable for the Magic Loop method
Or size needed to obtain gauge
- Notions: Tapestry needle, measuring tape, stitch marker
Details
- Skill Level: Easy
- Gauge: 4x4”/10x10cm = 26 stitches x 28 1x1 ribbing, unstretched
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Sizes: Small [Medium, Large, XL, XXL]
Circumference (unstretched): 11 [13, 15, 17, 19] inches
Length: 5 [6, 7.25, 8, 8] inches
Abreviations
- k: knit
- KFB: knit front back (increase)
- p: purl
- rep: repeat
- rnd: round
- st(s): stitch(es)
Special Stitch Tutorials
KFB (knit front back)
The abbreviation KFB stands for “Knit front back” and refers to a knitting increase where you knit twice into the same stitch – once through the front of the loop and one more time through the back loop of the same stitch.
Knitting Help - Slow Motion KFB (Knit Front/Back)
Notes
- Chemo Caps make a great charity donation gift. Check online to locate your favorite charity and confirm their rules for gifting.
- Sizing may sound small but compensates for hair loss and for the stretch factor of cotton blend yarn.
- Hat is worked with wrong side facing, throughout. Once finished, flip the beanie inside out so that the Crown shows as Reverse Stockinette. This helps allow for the smoother "knit” stitches to be against the scalp to help lessen any irritation sensitivity.
- The pattern does not describe how many stitches to place on each needle when using the double pointed needles method or the two circular needle method. Simply split the stitches evenly across the number of needles used.
Pattern
Designed by CBN Craftworks
Use a stitch marker to mark the end of the round, slipping the marker each time you reach it again.
CROWN
All Sizes:
Cast on 6 sts, leaving a tail long enough to close the gap once the cap is complete.
Rnd 1: KFB in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: *k1, KFB in next st*, rep around. (18 sts)
Rnd 3: *k2, KFB in next st*, rep around. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: *k3, KFB in next st*, rep around. (30 sts)
Rnd 5: *k4, KFB in next st*, rep around. (36 sts)
Rnd 6: *k5, KFB in next st*, rep around. (42 sts)
Rnd 7: *k6, KFB in next st*, rep around. (48 sts)
Rnd 8: *k7, KFB in next st*, rep around. (54 sts)
Rnd 9: *k8, KFB in next st*, rep around. (60 sts)
Rnd 10: *k9, KFB in next st*, rep around. (66 sts)
Rnd 11: *k10, KFB in next st*, rep around. (72 sts)
Continue For Medium/Large/XL/XXL ONLY:
Rnd 12: *k11, KFB in next st*, rep around. (78 sts)
Rnd 13: *k12, KFB in next st*, rep around. (84 sts)
Continue For Large/XL/XXL ONLY:
Rnd 14: *k13, KFB in next st*, rep around. (90 sts)
Rnd 15: *k14, KFB in next st*, rep around. (96 sts)
Continue For XL/XXL ONLY:
Rnd 16: *k15, KFB in next st*, rep around. (102 sts)
Rnd 17: *k16, KFB in next st*, rep around. (108 sts)
Continue For XXL ONLY:
Rnd 18: *k17, KFB in next st*, rep around. (114 sts)
Rnd 19: *k18, KFB in next st*, rep around. (120 sts)
BODY
Next Rnd: *k1, p1*, rep around.
Rep this rnd for a total of 24 [30, 36, 38] rnds.
Bind off in k1, p1 pattern, loosely (or using one size larger needle).
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Share Your Finished Hat!
We love seeing your creations—and this pattern is especially meaningful.
If you post your beanie on Instagram, please tag @knitpalusa so we can cheer you on!
And if you’d like more soft, gentle yarns perfect for charity crafting, KnitPal has so many beautiful options to keep your hooks busy and your heart full.
With permission of the designer, this pattern and photos are property of KnitPal and may not be altered, shared, or sold. Do not rewrite any part of this design and sell as your own design. You’re welcome to sell finished products made with this pattern, but please credit the design to KnitPal https://knitpal.com/
