How to Make a Cotton Chemo Cap: Free Crochet Pattern

Can I show you how to make a cotton chemo cap? I will use this free crochet pattern that is down below. I used Hobby Lobby’s “I Love This Cotton” yarn. It is very soft, but you must take special care when washing the hat in order to keep it’s beauty and softness. You will find a free version of the chemo cap if you keep scrolling or you can purchase the ad free pdf at RAVELRY or ETSY.

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There was a time I thought I would need a cotton chemo cap.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October 2021. I had a mastectomy on the right side and faced the possibility of undergoing chemo. While I was healing from the surgery I felt a personal need to design stylish, functional chemo caps that would be beautiful to wear.

I have designed several chemo caps since my Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

They have been designed using yarns that are easy on the skin and for those that do not have hair. You will see a list of these free chemo cap crochet patterns at the end of this blog post. Before you scroll down though, let me introduce you to what you will need to crochet the “Blossom’s Of Hope” Cotton Chemo Cap.

Yarn used: Hobby Lobby’s “I Love This Cotton” yarn. 1 ball = 3.5oz, 100g, 180yds, 165m, in the colorway Pink

Gauge:
4” x 4” = 13 st’s across x 11 rows high
Make a swatch, ch27, hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across, ch1 & turn:
*Hdc in each st across, ch1 and turn* repeat 15x

Crochet Hook: H-8 5/5.00mm

STITCH GUIDE:

join w/ = join with
slp st = Slip Stitch
ch = Chain  
sc = single Crochet
bp sc = Back Post single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
bp hdc = Back Post Half Double Crochet
hbp hdc = High Back Post Half Double Crochet (insert hook from front to back around to the front again, HIGH above the post, above the 3rd)High Back Post Half Double Crochet Stitch Easy Tutorial
hbp sc = High Back Post Single Crochet (work in the exact same manner as the hbp hdc)
sp = Space
nxt = Next
st = Stitch
*  * = Execute sequence between the stars, the number of times stated
x = Times; example Repeat 2 x or 2 times; 3 x or 3 times and so on.
prev. = previous round’s stitch
inc.= Increase-place two stitches in the stitch indicated in the pattern.

Special Stitch:
Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern
Designer Notes: This hat is designed specifically for those who have lost their hair due to chemo treatments or suffer from alopecia.
1. Please check the gauge before making the hat.
2. Beginning chains do not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.
3. I do not recommend Dishcloth Cotton Types of yarn for this or any other chemo cap, as the yarn may be too scratchy.
4. Take care when washing this chemo cap if using Hobby Lobby’s “I Love This Cotton”. The texture and the softness changes after it has gone through a hard wash & dry. It will become a bit stiff and scratchy.
How to wash Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton Yarn To Keep It Soft

• soak in lukewarm water. 
• Use a mild detergent for sensitive skin. 
• Use a bit of fabric softener in the rinse. 
• Do not wring and twist when the hat is wet as it could cause the fibers to stretch. 
• Gently roll your wet chemo cap in towels squeezing out the excess water. Use more than one towel if necessary.
• Then reshape and lay flat to dry. 

If the fibers become stiff, adding a little vinegar to the rinse water can help soften the yarn.

child /tween-adult small 18”-19” without hair (Note, if making this hat for someone who has hair, go up one size)

ch3 & join in a ring or use the magic circle

Round 1:

ch1 hdc in ring 10x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)

Round 2:

ch1, 2 hdc in joining st; *2 hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)

Round 3:

ch1, hdc in joining st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (30 hdc)

Round 4:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (40 hdc)

Round 5:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (50 hdc)

Round 6:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 4st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (60 hdc) Measurement across = 6” (15.24 cm)

Round 7-9: If you are making this for a child, eliminate one round here.

ch1, hdc in joining st & in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (60 hdc)

Round 10: hbp hdc = High Back Post Half Double Crochet = High Back Post Half Double Crochet (insert hook from back to front around to the back again, HIGH above the post, above the 3rd loop) link to video tutorial is found in the stitch key.

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; * hbp hdc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (60 hbp hdc)

Round 11: hbp sc = High Back Post Single Crochet = (work in the exact same manner as the hbp hdc)

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; *hbp sc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (60 hbp sc)

Round 12: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, sc in joining st; *skp st, SS in nxt st, skp st, sc in nxt st;* 14x; skp st, SS, skp last st; join w/slp st to beg. sc (15-SS; 15 sc st’s)

Round 13: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, SS joining st; *sc in hdc of prev. SS; SS in nxt sc;* 14x; sc in hdc of prev. SS; join w/slp st to beg. SS
(15-SS; 15 sc st’s)

Round 14: 

ch1, sc in joining st; sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (60 sc)

Round 15: 

ch1, bp hdc in joining st; bp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. bp hdc (60 bp hdc)

Round 16: 

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; hbp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (60 hbp hdc)

Round 17: 

ch1, hdc in joining st; hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (60 hdc)

Round 18: 

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; hbp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (60 hbp sc)

Round 19&20: 

ch1, bp sc in joining st; bp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. bp sc (60 bp sc)
7” crown to brim; 8.5” wide hat folded in half; 18” around

Adult med-large 20”-22” without hair (Note, if making this hat for someone who has hair, go up one size)

ch3 & join in a ring or use the magic circle

Round 1:

ch1 hdc in ring 10x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)

Round 2:

ch1, 2 hdc in joining st; *2 hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)

Round 3:

ch1, hdc in joining st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (30 hdc)

Round 4:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (40 hdc)

Round 5:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (50 hdc)

Round 6:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 4st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (60 hdc) Measurement across = 6” (15.24 cm)

Round 7:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 8st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 9st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 5x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (66 hdc)

Round 8-10:

ch1, hdc in joining st & in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (66 hdc)

Round 11: hbp hdc = High Back Post Half Double Crochet = (insert hook from back to front around to the back again, HIGH above the post, above the 3rd loop) link to video tutorial is found in the stitch key.

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; * hbp hdc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (66 hbp hdc)

Round 12: hbp sc = High Back Post Single Crochet = (work in the exact same manner as the hbp hdc)

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; *hbp sc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (66 hbp sc)

Round 13: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, skp joining st, sc in nxt st; *skp st, SS in nxt st, skp st, sc in nxt st;* 15x; skp st, SS, skp last two st’s; join w/slp st to beg. sc (16-SS; 16 sc st’s)

Round 14: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, SS joining st; *sc in hdc of prev. SS; SS in nxt sc;* 15x; sc in hdc of prev. SS; join w/slp st to beg. SS
(16-SS; 16 sc st’s)

Round 15: There needs to be 2 increases in the next round, to get to a total of 66 stitches.

ch1, 2sc in joining st; sc in each st around, randomly placing one increase in the middle of this round; join w/slp st to beg. sc (66 sc)

Round 16: 

ch1, bp hdc in joining st; bp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (66 bp hdc)

Round 17: 

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; hbp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (66 hbp hdc)

Round 18: 

ch1, hdc in joining st; hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (66 hdc)

Round 19: 

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; hbp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (66 hbp sc)

Round 20&21: 

ch1, bp sc in joining st; bp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. bp sc (66 bp sc)
Finished Measurements: 7.5” crown to brim; 9.5” wide hat folded in half; 21” around

Adult extra large 23”-24” without hair (Note, if making this hat for someone who has hair, go up one size)

ch3 & join in a ring or use the magic circle

Round 1:

ch1 hdc in ring 10x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)

Round 2:

ch1, 2 hdc in joining st; *2 hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)

Round 3:

ch1, hdc in joining st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (30 hdc)

Round 4:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt st, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (40 hdc)

Round 5:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 2st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (50 hdc)

Round 6:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 3st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 4st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (60 hdc) Measurement across = 6” (15.24 cm)

Round 7:

ch1, hdc in joining st & nxt 4st’s, 2hdc in nxt st; *hdc in nxt 5st’s, 2hdc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (70 hdc)

Round 8-11:

ch1, hdc in joining st & in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (70 hdc)

Round 12: hbp hdc = High Back Post Half Double Crochet = (insert hook from back to front around to the back again, HIGH above the post, above the 3rd loop) link to video tutorial is found in the stitch key.

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; * hbp hdc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (70 hbp hdc)

Round 13: hbp sc = High Back Post Single Crochet = (work in the exact same manner as the hbp hdc)

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; *hbp sc in nxt st and each remaining st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (70 hbp sc)

Round 14: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, skp joining st, sc in nxt st; *skp st, SS in nxt st, skp st, sc in nxt st;* 16x; skp st, SS, skp last two st’s; join w/slp st to beg. sc (17-SS; 17 sc st’s)

Round 15: Sedge Stitch (SS) = place a sc, hdc & dc in the stitch indicated in the crochet pattern

ch1, SS joining st; *sc in hdc of prev. SS; SS in nxt sc;* 16x; sc in hdc of prev. SS; join w/slp st to beg. SS
(17-SS; 17 sc st’s)

Round 16: There needs to be 2 increases in the next round, to get to a total of 70 stitches.

ch1, 2sc in joining st; sc in each st around, randomly placing one increase in the middle of this round; join w/slp st to beg. sc (70 sc)

Round 17: 

ch1, bp hdc in joining st; bp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (70 bp hdc)

Round 18: 

ch1, hbp hdc in joining st; hbp hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp hdc (70 hbp hdc)

Round 19&20: 

ch1, hdc in joining st; hdc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (70 hdc)

Round 21: 

ch1, hbp sc in joining st; hbp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hbp sc (70 hbp sc)

Round 22&23: 

ch1, bp sc in joining st; bp sc in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. bp sc (70 bp sc)
Finished Measurements: 8” crown to brim; 10.5” wide hat folded in half; 22” around

The photograph collage below shows the chemo caps that I have designed since my Breast Cancer diagnosis. The links to the individual free crochet patterns are found at the end of the blog post.

Here are the links to Free Chemo Cap Crochet patterns.

• Double Down Chemo Cap
• Tiny Pearls Chemo Cap
• Peekaboo Ridge Chemo Cap
• Banded Mesh Chemo Cap
• Mesh Chemo Cap
• Simple Ridged Chemo Cap

As a Breast Cancer Survivor, I give all honor and praise to my Savior, Jesus Christ. His strength has carried me through, and His comfort has been evident every step of this journey. I also want to thank my wonderful family and my church family for their unwavering support. By God’s grace, I have been cancer-free since 2021

Pin the photo below and you will never lose the free crochet pattern for this Cotton Chemo Cap.

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Take Care and God Bless,

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This pattern is protected by copyright© Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet 2024. Do not sell, alter or redistribute this pattern in any way or form. You have my permission to sell your finished product, but you are responsible for the finished product. No Mass Production.