I’m thrilled to share my Soft Chemo Cap Free Crochet Pattern, a design crafted with care and thoughtfulness for those who are going through hair loss due to chemotherapy treatments or living with alopecia. As a breast cancer survivor, I know how important it is to feel comfortable and cared for, and this cap was created with that in mind. If you would like the adfree pdf, you can purchase it at RAVELRY or ETSY.
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One of the best features of this chemo cap is that it comes with three different brim options, allowing you to choose the style that suits you best:
- Ribbed Brim: This option uses front and back post half-double crochet (fp hdc & bp hdc) stitches to create a beautiful ribbed texture. It adds 1″ of length to the cap and offers a snug, textured finish.
- Shell Brim (Scalloped Edge): If you’re looking for a touch of elegance, the shell or scalloped brim adds 1.25″ and creates a delicate, feminine flair.
- SC Brim: This simple single crochet brim is my personal favorite! It’s clean and classic, adding just 0.75″ to the overall length.
This hat is specifically designed for those without hair, offering a comfortable fit without the bulk of regular hats.
If you’re making this hat for someone who still has their hair, I recommend using the larger size in the pattern or going up one hook size after achieving the gauge. Speaking of gauge—don’t forget to check it before starting your project to ensure the perfect fit!
A few important tips to keep in mind:
- Beginning chains do not count as a stitch unless indicated otherwise.
- I don’t recommend using all acrylic yarns for chemo caps. Some can be scratchy, and chemo patients need something soft and gentle on their skin. Opt for soft acrylic yarn that will be kind to sensitive scalps.
- Care Instructions: Be gentle when washing this chemo cap. The texture and softness can change after a harsh wash and dry cycle. To avoid this, I recommend hand-washing the hat and laying it flat to dry. If the yarn does stiffen or pill over time, you can soak it in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. This helps restore its softness—just be sure to rinse thoroughly.
How to Wash a Chemo Cap:
- Soak the cap in lukewarm water with mild detergent formulated for sensitive skin.
- Use fabric softener in the rinse to maintain softness.
- Avoid wringing or twisting the hat when it’s wet, as this can stretch the fibers.
- Instead, roll it gently in a towel to squeeze out excess water, and lay it flat to dry, reshaping as necessary.
Personal Insights from a Survivor:
As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve become more aware of a few things that I want to share. One is that 10-15% of all breast cancers are not detected with a mammogram or ultrasound. If you ever feel like something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to ask for a Breast MRI—it gives a clearer picture and can help detect cancer earlier.
The Soft 3 Brimmed Chemo Cap crochet pattern is below in 3 sizes.
Yarn used: Any soft worsted weight yarn. I used Mandala Ombre yarn that I had left over from the Leafy Lace Chemo Wrap Prayer Shawl.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 13 hdc x across x 10 rows high
Make a swatch, ch20, hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across, ch1 & turn: *Hdc in each st across, ch1 and turn* repeat 15x
Watch the video below that will show you how to crochet the child size with a SC brim.
Crochet Hook: H-8 5/5.00mm
STITCH GUIDE:
join w/ = join with
slp st = Slip Stitch
ch = Chain
sc = single Crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
bp hdc = Back Post Half Double Crochet
fp hdc = Front Post Half Double Crochet
sp = Space
nxt = Next
st = Stitch
prev. = previous round 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.
Special Stitches:
3shell – 3 Shell Stitch = 3 dc st’s in the stitch indicated in crochet pattern
5shell – 5 Shell Stitch = 5 dc st’s in the stitch indicated in crochet pattern
7shell – 7 Shell Stitch = 7 dc st’s in the stitch indicated in crochet pattern
Child (16”-18” head)
ch3 join in a ring
Round 1: ch1 & 10 hdc; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)
Round 2: ch1, 3hdc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)
Round 3: ch1, sc in joining st; 2dc in nxt st; *sc in nxt st, 2dc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (30 st’s)
Round 4: ch2, 3shell in joining st, *skp st, sc in nxt, 3shell in sc;*9x; skp st, sc in last sc; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 3 shell; (10-sc, 10-3shells)
Note: The ch1’s in this next round are for expansion to the top of the chemo cap only. They will not be worked or considered in the following rounds.
Round 5: slp to second dc of prev. 3shell, ch1 sc in same st, ch1; *3shell in sc, ch1, sc in 2nd st of 3shell, ch1;* 9x; 3shell in sc, ch1; join w/slp st to beg. sc
(10-3shells; 10sc) 5 ¾” diameter
Round 6: ch2, 5shell in joining st; *sc in 2nd st of prev. 3shell, 5shell in sc;* 9x; sc in 2nd dc of prev. 3shell; join w/slp in 1st dc of beg. 5shell
(10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 7: Slp st 2x arriving at the 3rd st of prev. 5shell; ch1, sc in same st; *5shell in sc, sc in 2nd st of prev. 5shell; ch1;* 9x; 5shell in sc, join w/slp st to beg. sc (10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 8: ch2, 5shell in joining st; *sc in 3rd st of prev. 5shell, 5shell in sc;* 9x; sc in 3rd dc of prev. 5shell; join w/slp in 1st dc of beg. 5shell
(10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 9 -14: Repeat Rounds 7-8 consecutively (Note, you must choose a brim option below or the hat will be too short)
6” crown to brim; 9” wide folded; stretches to 10”
3 Optional Brim Instructions Follow. You must choose a brim to finish the hat, or it will be too short. (1. Shell or Scalloped Brim 2. sc only brim; 2. Brim with Ribbing)
Shell or Scalloped Brim
Repeat Shell Rounds 2 more times. Approx. 7.25” crown to brim; 9” wide folded; stretches to 10”
sc only brim
Round 15-17: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (60 sc) At the end of Round 17, end off and weave in all ends. Approx. 6 ¾ ” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
Brim with Ribbing
Round 15: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (60 sc)
Round 16-18: ch2 (counts as st) fp hdc nxt st; *bp hdc in nxt, fp hdc in nxt;* repeat between * * around; join w/slp 2nd ch of beg ch2; end off weave in all ends. Approx. 7” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
small – med (19”-22” head)
ch3 join in a ring
Round 1: ch1 & 10 hdc; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)
Round 2: ch1, 2hdc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)
Round 3: ch1, sc in in joining st; skp st, 2dc in nxt st; *sc in nxt st, skp st, 2dc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (30 st’s)
Round 4: ch2, 3shell in joining st, *skp st, sc in nxt, 3shell in sc;*9x; skp st, sc in last sc; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 3 shell; (10-sc, 10-3shells)
Round 5: ch1 sc in joining st, ch1, skp st, sc in 3rd st of prev. 3shell, *3shell in sc, sc in 1st st of 3shell, ch1, sc in 3rd st of 3shell* 9x; 3shell in sc, join w/slp st to beg. sc (10-3shells; 20sc; 10ch1 sp)
Round 6: slp st into ch1 sp, ch2 5shell in ch1 sp; *sc in 2nd st of prev. 3shell, 5shell in ch1sp;* 9x; sc in 2nd dc of prev. 3shell; join w/slp in 1st dc of beg. 5shell (10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 7: Slp st you will be at the 2nd st of 5shell; ch1, sc in same st, ch1, skp st, sc in 4th st of 5shell, *5shell in sc, sc in 2nd st of 5shell, ch1, sc in 4th st of 5shell* 9x; 5shell in sc, join w/slp st to beg. sc
(10-5shells; 20sc; 10-ch1 sp) 6.75” diameter
Round 8: ch2, 5shell in joining st, *sc in 3rd dc of prev. 5shell, 5shell in nxt sc;* 9x; sc in 3rd dc of last 5shell; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 5Shell (10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 9: slp st to 3rd st of 5shell, ch1, sc in same st; *5 shell in nxt sc, sc in 3rd st of 5shell;* 9x; 5shell in last sc; join w/slp st to beg sc (10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 10-16: Repeat Rounds 8-9 consecutively, ending on Round 8 (Note, you must choose a brim option below or the hat will be too short) 7.25” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
3 Optional Brim Instructions Follow. You must choose a brim to finish the hat, or it will be too short. (1. Shell or Scalloped Brim 2. sc only brim; 2. Brim with Ribbing)
Shell or Scalloped Brim
Repeat Shell Rounds 2 more times. Approx. 8.5” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
sc only brim
Round 17-19: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (60 sc) At the end of Round 19, end off and weave in all ends. Approx. 8” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
Brim with Ribbing
Round 17: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (60 sc)
Round 18-20: ch2 (counts as st) fp hdc nxt st; *bp hdc in nxt, fp hdc in nxt;* repeat between * * around; join w/slp 2nd ch of beg ch2; end off weave in all ends. Approx 8.25” crown to brim; 9.5” wide folded; stretches to 11”
The photo collage below is showing a few of the chemo caps that were designed in the past couple of years.
Free Chemo Cap Crochet Patterns
- Double Down Chemo Cap
- Tiny Pearls Chemo Cap
- Peekaboo Ridge Chemo Cap
- Mesh Banded Bucket Chemo Hat
- Mesh Chemo Cap
- Simple Ridge Chemo Cap
Large-Extra Large (23”-25” head)
ch3 join in a ring
Round 1: ch1 & 10 hdc; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (10 hdc)
Round 2: ch1, 2hdc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. hdc (20 hdc)
Round 3: ch1, sc in in joining st; 2dc in nxt st; *sc in nxt st, 2dc in nxt st;* 9x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (30 st’s)
Round 4: ch2, 3shell in joining st, *skp st, sc in nxt, 3shell in sc;*9x; skp st, sc in last st; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 3 shell; (10-sc, 10-3shells)
Round 5: ch1 sc in joining st, ch1, skp st, sc in 3rd st of prev. 3shell, *3shell in sc, sc in 1st st of 3shell, ch1, sc in 3rd st of 3shell* 9x; 3shell in sc, join w/slp st to beg. sc (10-3shells; 20sc; 10ch1 sp)
Round 6: slp st into ch1 sp, ch2, 5shell in same ch1 sp; *sc in 2nd st of prev. 3shell, 5shell in ch1sp;* 9x; sc in 2nd dc of prev. 3shell; join w/slp 1st dc of beg. 5shell (10-5shells; 10sc)
Round 7: Slp st 2x arriving at the 3rd st of 5shell; ch1, sc in same st, ch1, skp st, sc in 4th st of 5shell, *5shell in sc, sc in 2nd st of 5shell, ch1, sc in 4th st of 5shell* 9x; 5shell in sc, join w/slp st to beg. sc
(10-5shells; 20sc; 10-ch1 sp)
Round 8: slp st into ch1 sp, ch2 (does not count as stitch) 7shell in ch1 sp, *sc in 3rd dc of prev. 5shell, 7shell in nxt ch1 sp;* 9x; sc in 3rd dc of prev. 5shell; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 7Shell
(10-7shells; 10sc) 7.5” diameter
Round 9: slp st 3x arriving at the 4th st of 7shell, ch1, sc in same st; *7shell in nxt sc, sc in 4th st of prev. 7shell;* 9x; 7shell in last sc; join w/slp st to beg sc (10-7shells; 10sc)
Round 10: ch2, 7shell in joining st, *sc in 4th dc of prev. 7shell, 7shell in nxt sc;* 9x; sc in 4th dc of last 7shell; join w/slp st to 1st dc of beg. 7Shell (10-7shells; 10sc)
Round 11-17: Repeat Rounds 9&10 consecutively, ending on Round 9 (Note, you must choose a brim option below or the hat will be too short) (10-7shells; 10sc) 7.5” crown to brim; 10.5” wide folded; stretches to 12”
3 Optional Brim Instructions Follow. You must choose a brim to finish the hat, or it will be too short. (1. Shell or Scalloped Brim 2. sc only brim; 2. Brim with Ribbing)
Shell or Scalloped Brim
Repeat shell round 2 more times. Approx. 8.75” crown to brim; 10.5” wide folded; stretches to 12”
sc only brim
Round 18-20: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (80 sc) At the end of Round 20, end off and weave in all ends. 8.25” crown to brim; 9.5” folded; stretches to 11”
Brim with Ribbing
Round 18: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (80 sc)
Round 19-21: ch2 (counts as st) fp hdc nxt st; *bp hdc in nxt, fp hdc in nxt;* repeat between * * around; join w/slp 2nd ch of beg ch2; end off weave in all ends.
8.75” crown to brim; 9.5” folded; stretches to 11”
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I hope this chemo cap brings joy to you and to those who will be the recipients.
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COPYRIGHT STATEMENT This pattern is protected by copyright© Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet 2023. 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
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I would love to hear if you crochet the Soft Chemo Cap using the Free Crochet Pattern. Drop me a line below to let me know how it goes.
I love the patterns, is there a place I can make and donate?
You a local hospital or cancer center.
Thank you!
Yw!