Sweet Nothings Crochet: CHEMO CAP 4

CHEMO CAP 4 - crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

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 paediatric cancer ward in Mumbai.

Today I’ve used some (Indian) Laura knitting cotton with a 3.5 mm crochet hook

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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 e 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 : Intermediate to Advanced.

The basic cap pattern is easy, but for the hair that frames the cap, the pattern is a little bit more advanced.

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/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

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : 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 rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern. For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.

This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.

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.

front view of the 'hair' I've added in this cap

I have made three sets of caps before this and with each set I’m just tweaking it a tad. See these here or here

My first chemo cap was inspired by Mary Chemo cap and in this fourth set, I’ve tweaked this cap even further. I’ve worked my own pattern for the cap, and the used Mary’s chemo cap pattern for the front part of the hair –and tweaked the pattern for the hair all around. I felt this made it more of a unisex cap. What do you think?

For Mary’s chemo cap pattern, go here

You can make a flower appliqué and the pattern for that is on the bottom of this blog.

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing : here or here

And here's one more way to calculate head circumference.

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.

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. In case this video does not come on, please go to https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and work 11 dc in it.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st. (11 sts)

Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc and each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st. (22 sts)

Round 3 : dc in the 1^st 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 1^st st. (33 sts)

Round 4 : dc in the 1^st 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 1^st st. (44 sts)

Round 5 : dc in the 1^st 3 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;

(dc in the next 3 dc ; 2 hdc in the next dc ) ;

rep (to) all around.