Knit cloche chemo cap free pattern

Knit Cloche Chemo Cap - Free pattern

The Knit Cloche Chemo Cap is a soft, lightweight hat designed to bring comfort and warmth to anyone experiencing hair loss. Made with breathable DK-weight Cotton to the Core yarn and featuring a smooth stockinette body with a beautifully textured brim, this easy knit works up quickly while offering timeless style and gentle wear.

Why This Cloche Hat Is Perfect for Chemo Patients

pink large and purple small hats on pink background

This chemo cap is thoughtfully designed with sensitive scalps in mind. The hat is worked so that the smooth knit stitches rest against the skin, reducing irritation—a detail highlighted in the pattern notes on page 3. The soft cotton-blend DK yarn provides breathability, stretch, and all-day comfort, while the snug-yet-gentle sizing accounts for hair loss and ensures a secure fit. Together, these features create a soothing, wearable cap that helps chemo patients feel both comfortable and cared for.

Download a printable pattern PDF

What You’ll Need

  • Yarn: KnitPal Cotton to the Core (#3 DK, 78% cotton/22% acrylic, 142 yds/50g), Approximately 73 [88, 105, 133] yards or 26 [31, 37, 47] grams
  • Needles: 3.5mm/US4 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 = 22 stitches x 34  knit in stockinette
  • Sizes: Small [Medium, Large, XL]

    Circumference (body): 14.5 [16, 17.5, 19] inches
    Circumference (brim): 16 [17.75, 19, 20.75] inches
    Length (body): 5 [5.5, 6, 6.75] inches
    Length (brim): 1.5 inches

Abreviations

  • k: knit
  • KFB: knit front back (increase)
  • p: purl
  • rep: repeat
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • yo: yarn over
  • p3tog: purl 3 together (double decrease)
  • M1: make one stitch using bar between stitches (increase)

Special Stitch Tutorials

KFB (knit front back)
Knitting Help - Slow Motion KFB (Knit Front/Back)

M1 increase
Knitting Help - Make 1 (M1)

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

Download a printable pattern PDF

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 8 sts, leaving a tail long enough to close the gap once the cap is complete. Join to work in the round.

Rnd 1: KFB in each st around. (16 sts)

Rnd 2: *k1, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (24 sts)

Rnd 3: *k2, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (32 sts)

Rnd 4: *k3, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (40 sts)

Rnd 5: *k4, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (48 sts)

Rnd 6: *k5, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (56 sts)

Rnd 7: *k6, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (64 sts)

Rnd 8: *k7, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (72 sts)

Rnd 9: *k8, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (80 sts)

Continue For Medium/Large/XL ONLY:
Rnd 10: *k9, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (88 sts)

Continue For Large/XL ONLY:
Rnd 11: *k10, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (96 sts)

Continue For XL ONLY:
Rnd 12: *k11, KFB in next st*, rep from * around. (104 sts)

BODY

All Sizes:

Knit 20 [23, 26, 32] rnds in stockinette.

Next Round: Balloon Rib is a 3-st pattern repeat, so the total sts must be adjusted to prepare for the BRIM.

Small: k1, M1, knit to end (81 sts - one st increased)

Medium: k1, M1, k44, M1, knit to end (90 sts - two sts increased)

Large: knit around (96 sts - no increase needed)

XL: k1, M1, knit to end (105 sts - one st increased)

BRIM

Pink knit cloche hat on mannequin head

Rnd 1: K1, *yo, p1, yo, k2*, rep from * to last two sts, then yo, p1, yo, k1.

Rnd 2: K1, *p3, k2*, rep from * to last four sts, then p3, k1.

Rnd 3: K1, *p3, k2*, rep from * to last four sts, then p3, k1.

Rnd 4: K1, *p3tog, k2*, rep from * to last four sts, then p3tog, k1.

Repeat Rnds 1 – 4 two times more, for a total of 12 rounds.

Bind off loosely (or using one size larger needle) as K1, *p1, k2*, rep from * to last to sts, then p1, k1.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Download a printable pattern PDF

Share Your Finished Hat!

We love seeing your creations—and this pattern is especially meaningful.
If you post your cloche 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/

Anna Rainous
Posted on November 19, 2025
Anna Rainous
 
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