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Your Guide to Knitted and Crocheted Chemo Hats and Other Items for Cancer Patients
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating not just for the patient, but also for their loved ones. One way in which we can show that we care is by using our crochet and knitting skills and making them a special, handmade gift.
Items Generally Made for Chemo or Cancer Patients
- Chemo caps/hats/beanies
- “Knitted knockers” or “crocheted knockers”
- Prayer shawls/”I care” shawls
- Blankets of different sizes
Free Knitting and Crochet Patterns For Chemo Caps and More
We’ve gathered together a whole bunch of free patterns for gifts for cancer patients. From chemo caps to knitted breast prosthesis, you’ll find it here!
Chemo Caps/Hats/Beanies
Chemo treatment can cause hair loss, which means that a cancer patient will probably need a hat of some kind to keep their head warm – even if this is only at night. For this reason, chemo caps or hats are one of the easiest and most practical gifts to give to a loved one who is going through chemo treatment.
Keep reading for hat sizes for your chemo cap.
Free Patterns for Chemo Caps or Beanies
Knitted Chemo Cap – Knitted in the round, this simple pattern can be knit up quite quickly. A number of suggested yarns and knitting needles are also given in the article, making it easy to start. (For a longer list of yarns, keep reading!)
Knots of Love has a lot of free patterns for chemo caps and hats on their site. Our favorite patterns from this site, are:
Basketweave Cap – This cap has a beautiful basketweave pattern that makes for an interesting texture.
Lupe Pattern – This lacy (but not see-through) pattern will look great in any color.
Shirley’s Shell Hat – Another hat with a lace-like stitch pattern, this one is also not see-through. The shell pattern really makes the look.
Other free patterns for chemo caps include:
Knitted Chemo Cap with Swirl Pattern – We love this knitted chemo cap with it’s swirl pattern. Easy to knit as well!
Double Dip Ribbed Knit Hat – The interesting braid-like detail on this hat really makes for something special.
Soft and Cozy Knit Hat – A simple knitted hat, this project is quick and easy to make.
Hat Sizes for Chemo Caps: Baby to Adult
In the table below we’ve gathered together the size of hat that you can make for people of different ages – from baby or 6 months old to adult sizes for men and women.
This table is especially handy if you’re making a lot of hats of different sizes for a charity or hospital.
Size |
Age |
Head Circumference |
Hat Height |
X-small |
Baby (6–12 months) |
16–19” |
6.5” |
Small |
Toddler (12months – 3 years) |
18–20” |
6.5–7” |
Medium |
Child – Teen |
20–22” |
7–8” |
Large |
Adult |
22–24” |
8–10” |
It’s not just hats or chemo caps that you can make for patients, however. One of the most creative – and also very needed – items are breast forms (“knitted/crocheted knockers”) for women who’ve had mastectomies.
Knitted Knockers and Crocheted Knockers
“Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. Traditional breast prosthetics are usually expensive, heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers on the other hand are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. Our special volunteer knitters provide these free to those requesting them.” – The Knitted Knockers Website
The knitted and crocheted breast prosthesis patterns and supplies can be found on the Knitted Knockers website.
Prayer Shawls/“I Care” Shawls/Healing Shawls
Prayer shawls – which can also be called healing shawls, care shawls, etc. – is basically a shawl or wrap given to someone as a sign that you’re praying for them, care for them, and are thinking of them.
While any shawl or wrap can be given as a prayer shawl, we’ve included some free knitting and crochet patterns that have been made specifically to serve as prayer or healing shawls:
Colorful Hugs Prayer Shawl – This colorful shawl is sure to make anyone smile!
Crochet Prayer Shawl – A simple repeated pattern makes this prayer shawl meditative to work on and the pattern easy to follow. An ideal make for beginners who want to tackle a larger project.
Prayer Shawl / Healing Shawl – Another easy make, this shawl will work up in no time.
Lacy Comfort Prayer Shawl – We really like the lacy pattern of this shawl – ideal if you’re looking for a lighter or more feminine shawl.
Chevron Lace Prayer Shawl – A simple, but beautiful lace pattern to knit into a shawl for a loved one.
To Zola With Love – This knitted wrap is a great way to try your hand at lace knitting and to keep meditative while knitting.
Blankets
Blankets, from lap blankets to afghans, also make a great and practical gift for a chemo or cancer patient.
Cancer Support One-piece Lap Blanket – This crocheted blanket was designed specifically to support someone during their cancer journey. Gorgeous!
Free knitted blanket patterns – This page from Love Crafts has a variety of free knitted blanket patterns that you can make as is, or adapt to whatever size you need.
Free crocheted blanket patterns – Another page from Love Crafts, this one has free crocheted blanket patterns that you can use.
Which Yarns to Use for the Chemo Caps and Other Knitted and Crocheted Items
With all the different types of yarn on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one to use for your chemo cap or other items.
Luckily, Knots of Love gives a long list of yarns – which are all available at specialty yarn stores and craft and hobby stores. The list of acceptable yarns to be used for chemo caps and other items for chemo patients and cancer sufferers include:
- Bamboo Baby (Patons)
- Bernat Softee Baby (regular or cotton)
- Bernat Satin
- Bernat Satin Sport
- Caron Simply Soft
- Caron Simply Soft Shadows, Paints, Stripes, Tweed or Ombre
- Cascade Avalon
- Cascade Pima Tencel
- Cotton to the Core by KnitPal
- Cottonista by KnitPal
- Lion Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling Yarn
- Lion Feels Like Butta
- Lion Flikka (cotton blend)
- Lion Heartland
- Lion Heartland Tweed
- Lion Landscapes
- Paintbox Yarns, cotton aran
- Red Heart Buttercup
- Red Heart Soft (Not Super Saver)
- Red Heart Soft Baby Steps
- Red Heart Sweet Baby
- Rowan All Seasons Cotton
- Sirdar Snuggly
What You Need to Keep in Mind When Choosing Yarn
Because the beanie or hat will most likely be rubbing against the scalp of the person wearing it, you need to make sure that the yarn you use won’t be scratchy or uncomfortable to wear. For example, using wool – unless the recipient chose it specifically – shouldn’t be used as it can be too rough or scratchy. People can also be allergic to wool.
You should also keep in mind that many recipients will sleep in the chemo cap and, therefore, the yarn shouldn’t be “lumpy” speciality yarns. Some of the fake fur yarns can also be scratchy, so just watch out!
Cotton, bamboo, and tencel work very well for chemo caps, specifically those used to make baby yarns. Some acrylics are also very soft (as can be seen in the list above) and some synthetic blends – for example acrylic and alpaca – may also be a good choice for a chemo cap, depending on the brand.
No chenille yarn should be used.
Before Gifting the Chemo Cap or Other Item, Take These Steps
Before gifting the chemo cap or other item, make sure that the item is:
- Fragrance-free
- Smoke-free
- Pet hair free
- Odor-free.
Wash the item with a fragrance-free detergent if necessary, and make sure that the item is completely dry before gifting it.
Colors Associated with Different Cancers
Type of Cancer |
Color Associated with Type of Cancer |
Month Dedicated to the Type of Cancer |
All cancer |
Lavender |
|
Appendix cancer |
Amber |
|
Bladder cancer |
Yellow, purple, and navy |
May |
Bone cancer |
Yellow |
July |
Brain cancer |
Gray |
May |
Breast Cancer |
Pink |
October |
Inflammatory breast cancer |
Hot pink |
October |
Hereditary breast cancer |
Teal and pink |
October |
Breast cancer in men |
Pink and blue |
October |
Cancer survivors |
Lavender |
June |
Carcinoid syndrome |
Black and white stripes |
November |
Caregiver of cancer patient |
Purple |
November |
Cervical cancer |
Teal and white |
January |
Childhood cancers |
Gold |
September |
Colon cancer |
Dark blue |
March |
Colorectal cancer |
Dark blue |
March |
Endometrial cancer |
Peach |
|
Esophageal cancer |
Light purple/periwinkle |
April |
Ewing’s sarcoma |
Yellow |
July |
Gallbladder/bile duct cancer |
Green |
February |
Stomach cancer |
Periwinkle |
November |
Glioblastoma |
Gray |
|
Gynecological cancer |
Purple |
September |
Head and neck cancer |
Red and white |
April |
Hodgkin lymphoma |
Violet |
September |
Kidney cancer |
Green or orange |
March |
Laryngeal cancer |
Burgundy and white |
|
Leiomyosarcoma |
Purple |
July |
Leukemia |
Orange |
September |
Liver cancer |
Emerald green |
October |
Lung cancer |
White |
November |
Lymphedema |
Light blue |
|
Melanoma |
Black |
May |
Mesothelioma |
Pearl |
|
Myeloma |
Burgundy |
March |
Myeloproliferative diseases |
Orange and red |
|
Neuroendocrine cancers |
Black and white zebra stripes |
November |
Oral cancer |
Burgundy and white |
April |
Osteosarcoma |
Yellow |
July |
Ovarian cancer |
Teal |
September |
Pancreatic cancer |
Purple |
November |
Pharyngeal cancer |
Burgundy and white |
April |
Prostate cancer |
Light blue |
September |
Rare cancers (and rare diseases) |
Black and white zebra stripes |
|
Rectal cancer |
Blue |
March |
Retinoblastoma |
White |
|
Sarcoma |
Yellow |
July |
Skin cancer |
Black |
May |
Small intestine cancer |
Periwinkle |
|
Testicular cancer |
Purple |
April |
Throat cancer |
Burgundy and white |
|
Thyroid cancer |
Blue, pink, and teal |
September |
Uterine cancer |
Peach |
September |
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia |
Pearl |
Source: VeryWellHealth
Whatever gift you decide to make for your loved one or for charity is sure to be very special for all the time and care that you took to make it. Share your makes – or favorite patterns – in the comments or on our KnitPal Facebook Group!
Comments
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/c69b004437fd06f6fe2a4d6dc453f10e?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
@ Mattie Morrisey
It’s a great act. You may consider the following charities for your knitting-related donations:
The Salvation Army of Florence (2210 Hoffmeyer Rd, Florence, SC 29501)
House of Hope of the Pee Dee (020 W Darlington St, Florence, SC 29501)
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/d699621735333b6cb598e6fc7687fa7b?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
Where can we donate my knitted caps for adults, preemie, babies, and toddles? I live in Florence, South Carolina
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/c69b004437fd06f6fe2a4d6dc453f10e?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
@Laurie You may donate your crafts Crafts for Charity (7445 Cherry Tree Dr Fulton, MD, 20759), or you may drop them off in person at their box located at Happy Helpers for the Homeless (1550 Caton Center Drive Halethorpe, MD 21227). You may visit their website for further information: https://craftsforcharity.com/
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/ba34abb036cd88973dc56afd8e96a05d?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
Where can we donate finished products? I am in maryland.
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/324ceeedec38fd0f1bf5fce24e2fde55?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
Hello Kathy,
What you are doing is so important. If you do not have a specific cancer patient to knit for. I would suggest any warm colors such as pink, purple and etc.
![Tallal Hassan](http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/375a30fe6a92ad0ac94f100243ba0307?d=https://knitpal.com/cdn/shop/t/13/assets/gravatar_def.png?v=88102738759918605921631351820)
What colors can I make for chemotherapy patients
I’m going to be knitting this hats I would like to know what colors would be good for them?