Tuesday 24 December 2019

CHEMO CAP 1


CHEMO CAP 1

This set of caps has been made for yet another special donation. I made a few caps in time for Christmas, and used a few different patterns for them.
These caps are headed to Tata Memorial Centre pediatric cancer ward in Mumbai.
This is an on-going donation.  If interested, please message me here on my blog or Facebook / Instagram page and join this movement.
Thanks for joining me.  Come along, let’s create something beautiful and spread smiles 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo of all the chemo caps for the donation

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some (Indian) Laura knitting cotton with a 3.5 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well
Laura knitting cotton is a really soft yarn, perfect for Chemo caps. 

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn ; Alize bamboo yarn.
 Lily Sugar n cream and Flinders 4-Seasons 100% cotton 8-ply knitting cotton.


Difficulty level : Easy

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Front post single crochet : fpsc :  Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch on the row below.  Here is an easy video tutorial for the fpsc at https://youtu.be/OQa8YLpkdXs

Back post single crochet : bpsc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below. Here is an easy video tutorial for the bpsc at https://youtu.be/L1K_MMLl-D4

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Abbreviations used :
sc : single crochet               dc : Double crochet
ch : chain                            ch-sp : chain space
sp : space                           rep : Repeat
hk : hook                             lp (s) : loop(s)
yo : yarn over                      sl-st : slip stitch     
hdc : Half double crochet


Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rounds with a ch 1 turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for video tutorials of all the stitches used in this pattern sheet.

As I’m working with a multi coloured yarn, the pattern works itself magically and automatically.  When you work with a solid (one color) yarn, the pattern will show – the simple pattern using just two stitches will show through really well.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo of chemo caps 1 made with pastel multi colored yarn,



At the top of this blog are charts for regular head sizes.
Valuable calculations :
1. Hat circumference = measure around the head just above ears and subtract one inch for a nicely fitted finished hat.
2. Crown width = (this is a flat circular top of the hat) you need to divide hat circumference by 3.14 (pi).
3. Hat height = Head circumference / 10 x 4.

So you need to measure circumference of the head (round head measurement) and keep checking the outer circumference of your work.  
There is another trick for measuring circumference (without running your measure tape all around the edge of your circle as you are working). 
This works for a cap that you are working top down, from the crown of the head.
It works by dividing your round head measure by pi (3.14). 
So say your head measurement is 22, divide 22 by 3.14 = 7.  
Remember when calculating diameter, you must account for the stretch of your yarn too.
So once the ‘flat portion’ for the crown (or the first few rounds while you are still increasing) of your cap is 7” diameter, you can stop increases and start increasing just the length (without increasing stitches for the round)
Right then, back to the pattern sheet.

Oh as we’re working in rounds, you may like to see this video as well.
How to seamlessly crochet in rounds : When working with head wear, this is a really neat way to seamlessly end each round.  Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to this at https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE  

Start Round 1 : with a  magic circle and work 11 dc in it.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (11 sts)

Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc and each dc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (22 sts)

Round 3 : dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;
(dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ) ;
rep (to) all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (33 sts)

Round 4 : dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;
(dc in the next 2 dc ; 2 hdc in the next dc ) ;
rep (to) all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (44 sts)

Round 5 : dc in the 1st 3 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;
(dc in the next 3 dc ; 2 hdc in the next dc ) ;
rep (to) all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (55 sts)

Stop and check the diameter of your circle.  
Here’s where you work that pi calculation given above.
If the sizing works, stop increases and continue with the 55 sts to work on the length.

Round 6 : dc in the 1st st and in each st all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.  (55 sts)

Round 7 : hdc in the 1st st and in each st all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (55 sts)

Rounds 8 - 15 : Rep Rounds 6 & 7.

Round 16 : Rep Round 6.

Check the length for your hat and work according to your requirement.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo of chemo caps 1 made with black n white multi colored yarn,

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo of chemo caps 1,


Possible finishing :
Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo detail of the edging for the cap,

Depending on how much yarn you have left, here is a small finishing idea that’s so easy but looks great.
I had this long length of yarn at the end of some of my multicolored yarn balls, and all I did was weave it continuously through the last row. 
Yes, this is usually what one does with finishing but I weave it along the wrong side only.
For this project though, I wove it from the wrong side, around each stitch to the right side and back in so that the multi colored yarn showed through.  
It kind-of ties up that last row and offers a great finish, I thought.

See if this works for you and do add your comments to the blog for others to gain from your fun and experience.

Fasten off and weave in ends.
Now go ahead and make as many as you'd like to gift to someone you love.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, free crochet pattern for a chemo cap, photo of chemo caps,

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