Knit Newsboy Chemo Cap - Free Pattern
The Knitted Newsboy Chemo Cap blends cozy comfort with a fun, stylish twist—perfect for adding a little brightness to someone’s day. With its classic visor and soft shaping, this hat offers both personality and practicality, creating a look that feels uplifting while still being wonderfully wearable. Whether you’re knitting for a loved one or donating to a chemo cap charity, this pattern brings warmth, softness, and a touch of confidence to whoever wears it.
Why This Pattern Is Perfect for Chemo Patients
This newsboy cap is especially ideal for chemo patients because it’s made with Cotton to the Core Worsted, a buttery-soft, breathable cotton-blend yarn that sits gently against even the most sensitive skin. The smooth fibers help prevent irritation—an essential consideration for anyone experiencing hair loss—while the natural stretch ensures a comfortable, secure fit without pressure. The added visor provides a bit of shade and reassurance, making this hat both comforting and confidence-boosting during treatment.
Download a printable pattern PDF
What You’ll Need
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Yarn: KnitPal Cotton to the Core Worsted (65% cotton/35% acrylic, 218
yds/100g) Approximately 72 [87, 105] yards or 33 [40, 48] grams
Alternate yarn: KnitPal Cotton to the Core DK (weight #3 - 78% cotton/22% acrylic, 142 yards per 50 grams) can be substituted, but the gauge given will not match exactly, the yardage needed will be slightly more, and the project dimensions will be slightly smaller. But the end result will give a lighter cap that may be preferable for warmer climates. -
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 = 20 stitches x 24 rounds knit in stockinette
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Sizes: Small [Medium, Large]
Brim circumference: 16 [17, 18] inches
Body circumference: 18 [20.25, 22.5] inches
Crown width across: 4 [4, 4.75] inches
Body length: 6 [6.5, 7] inches
Abreviations
- k: knit
- k2tog: knit two together (decrease)
- LH: left hand (needle)
- p: purl
- p2tog: purl two together (decrease)
- psso: pass slipped stitch over
- rep: repeat
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- yo: yarn over
- wyib: with yarn in back
Special Stitch Tutorials
Harringbone Stitch Variation (Brim)
The stitch used for the Brim is the Herringbone Stitch (variation). Please know that this
Pattern is written with the knit stitch done during the pass slip stitch over as a Yarn Over instead, for simplicity. It has the same result. For visuals of creating the stitch, however, please see the two web pages provided below.
The first is a link to a written description of the stitch, with several photos showing how it's done.
Here is a link to a video for the process, from another maker. Please know that the video starts with the Wrong Side, and demonstrates the Slip Stitch as Purl wise, but this Pattern is making the Slip Stitch as Knit wise.
Either method will work, but it is a slight difference in the final look based on how you slip your stitch, as knit wise gives it a bit of a twist.
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. Cast on 90 [102, 114] sts. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
BRIM
The brim is worked in joined rounds. Slip marker at the end of the round, slip next stitch as if to purl, wrapping the working yarn from back to front (or front to back, depending where it was at end of last round). Move the slipped stitch back to LH needle, move marker to LH needle, turn. Wrap working yarn from front to back (or back to front) - the opposite of what you did before, to put yarn in place for next round.
Rnd 1 (RS): k1, *sl st knit wise, k1, yo, psso 2 sts (the knit and the yo), rep from to last st of round, k1. Wrap for turning.
Rnd 2 (WS): *p2tog but leave sts on LH needle and p 1st st again. Drop stitches from LH needle*, rep from * to end. Wrap for turning.
Repeat the last two rnds 2 [3, 4] more times for a total of 6 [8, 10] rnds. Do NOT turn after the final rnd.
BODY
Rnd 1 (WS - we are no longer turning): k all stitches around.
Repeat this rnd for a total of 7 [9, 11] rnds.
Rnd 2: *k1, sl 2 purl wise wyib*, rep from * to end.
Rnd 3: k all stitches around.
Rnd 4: *k1, sl 2 purl wise wyib*, rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: k all stitches around.
Repeat Rnd 5 for a total of 10 [12, 14] rnds.
CROWN
Small:
Decreases 9 stitches each rnd as follows:
Rnd 1: *k2tog, k8*, rep from * to end. (81 sts)
Rnd 2: *k2tog, k7*, rep from * to end. (72 sts)
Rnd 3: *k2tog, k6*, rep from * to end. (63 sts)
Rnd 4: *k2tog, k5*, rep from * to end. (54 sts)
Rnd 5: *k2tog, k4*, rep from * to end. (45 sts)
Rnd 6: *k2tog, k3*, rep from * to end. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: *k2tog, k2*, rep from * to end. (27 sts)
Rnd 8: *k2tog, k1*, rep from * to end. (18 sts)
Rnd 9: *k2tog*, rep from * to end. (9 sts)
Rnd 10: *k2tog*, rep from * to last st, k1. (5 sts)
Medium:
Decreases 10 stitches each round as follows:
Rnd 1 – k2tog, k10, *k2tog, k8*, rep from * to end. (92 sts)
Rnd 2: k2tog, k9, *k2tog, k7*, rep from * to end. (82 sts)
Rnd 3: k2tog, k8, *k2tog, k6*, rep from * to end. (72 sts)
Rnd 4: k2tog, k7, *k2tog, k5*, rep from * to end. (62 sts)
Rnd 5: k2tog, k6, *k2tog, k4*, rep from * to end. (52 sts)
Rnd 6: k2tog, k5, *k2tog, k3*, rep from * to end. (42 sts)
Rnd 7: k2tog, k4, *k2tog, k2*, rep from * to end. (32 sts)
Rnd 8: k2tog, k3, *k2tog, k1*, rep from * to end. (22 sts)
Rnd 9: *k2tog*, rep from * to end. (11 sts)
Rnd 10: *k2tog*, rep from * to last st, k1. (6 sts)
Large:
Decreases 10 stitches each round as follows:
Rnd 1 – (k2tog, k10) four times, (k2tog, k9) six times. (104 sts)
Rnd 2: (k2tog, k9) four times, (k2tog, k8) six times. (94 sts)
Rnd 3: (k2tog, k8) four times, (k2tog, k7) six times. (84 sts)
Rnd 4: (k2tog, k7) four times, (k2tog, k6) six times. (74 sts)
Rnd 5: (k2tog, k6) four times, (k2tog, k5) six times. (64 sts)
Rnd 6: (k2tog, k5) four times, (k2tog, k4) six times. (54 sts)
Rnd 7: (k2tog, k4) four times, (k2tog, k3) six times. (44 sts)
Rnd 8: (k2tog, k3) four times, (k2tog, k2) six times. (34 sts)
Rnd 9: (k2tog, k2) four times, (k2tog, k1) six times. (24 sts)
Rnd 10: (k2tog, k1) four times, (k2tog) six times. (14 sts)
Rnd 11: *k2tog*, rep from * to end. (7 sts)
Rnd 12 (Optional): *k2tog*, rep from * to last st, k1. (4 sts)
Cut yarn leaving enough tail to thread through the remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and fasten off. Weave in ends.
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