The Just Chenille Crochet Chemo Cap is soft, cozy, and quick to make — and best of all, the free crochet pattern is available in three adult sizes, from X-Small through X-Large. You will find the free (ad supported) crochet pattern down below.

This crochet chemo cap pattern is worked with Premier Just Chenille yarn, which you can find at Dollar Tree stores or online here. This luxurious yarn gives the cap a plush, velvety texture that’s warm and beautiful for every day wear.

The Comfort of Chenille Yarn in a Chemo Cap

Chenille yarn has a wonderfully soft feel that makes it appealing for chemo caps. It creates a gentle, cushiony surface that feels comforting on the head and provides extra warmth — something many chemo patients deeply appreciate.

However, chenille does have a few qualities to keep in mind when crocheting for someone going through treatment.

Important Notes About Chenille Yarn for Sensitive Skin

Chenille yarn can shed, which may irritate tender or healing skin. If a chemo patient has sores on their scalp, this yarn may not be suitable. Likewise, if the recipient has extra-sensitive skin, this cap might not be comfortable to sleep in.

That said, not all chemo patients experience sensitivity — and many will find chenille yarn soft, soothing, and wonderful for daily wear. It truly depends on the individual.

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Alternative Chemo Cap Patterns for Sensitive Skin

If you’re crocheting for someone with sensitive skin, I recommend using Lion Brand Coboo or Truboo yarns instead. These are silky, breathable, and incredibly gentle on the scalp.

Here are a few of my chemo cap free crochet patterns made with these skin-friendly yarns:

• Peekaboo Ridge Chemo Cap – light and feminine with beautiful stitch texture

• Simply Ridged Chemo Cap – a timeless and easy design

• Double Down Chemo Cap  – created for warmth using 2 strands of yarn. 

• Mesh Beanie Chemo Cap – lightweight and airy

• Mesh Cloche Chemo Cap – can be dressed up with embellishments

• Pretty Pearls Chemo Cap (Truboo) – made entirely with silky bamboo yarn for a beautiful drape and shine

Each of these patterns is designed and sized specifically for those without hair, ensuring a comfortable, flattering fit.

Add a Matching Cowl for Warmth and Comfort

Many chemo patients find themselves feeling cold, even indoors. When donating a chemo cap to your local cancer center or support group, consider including a matching cowl for added warmth.

I’ve designed a Just Chenille Cowl to coordinate perfectly with this cap, and you can find that free crochet pattern here on my blog. It’s soft, plush, and made with the same Premier Just Chenille yarn. This would be a beautiful and thoughtful set to gift or donate.

About the Just Chenille Free Crochet Chemo Cap Pattern

This pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and includes clear stitch instructions, notes, and sizing tips for adult X-Small through X-Large.

Designer Notes:

1. The pattern is worked in the round, joining at the end of each round.

2. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round – chenille yarn can make it difficult to see stitches clearly.

3. The Moss or Linen Stitch creates a soft, flexible band that fits comfortably.

4. This hat is sized to fit those without hair. If making for someone with hair, consider going up one size.

Yarn Used: Premier Just Chenille (65 yards per skein, found at Dollar Tree)

• Approximately 1.5 balls for the hat only

• 3 balls total for the hat and cowl set

Hook Size: I-9 (5.5 mm)

Gauge:

• 4″ x 4″ = 12 sc across x 16 rows tall

• 2″ x 2″ = 6 sc across x 8 rows tall

Video Tutorial:

Stitches Used:

• ch = chain

• sc = single crochet

• slp st = slip stitch
  

XSmall–Small Size

(19”-20” without hair) 

Beginning Round

ch3 join in a ring or use the magic circle method.

Crown Rounds

Round 1: ch1, sc in the ring 7x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (7 sc)

Round 2: ch1, sc in joining st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (14 sc)

Round 3: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 2st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (21 sc)

Round 4: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 2st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 3st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (28 sc)

Round 5: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 3st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 4st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (35 sc)

Round 6: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 4st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 5st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (42 sc)

Round 7: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 5st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 6st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (49 sc)
Measurement: across 5”-5.5”

Body Rounds

Round 8–15: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)
Measurement: 2.75”

Band Rounds

Round 16: ch1, sc in joining st, ch1, skp st; sc in nxt st, ch1, skp a st; 31x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)

Round 17–22: slp st into 1st ch1 sp, ch1, sc in same ch1 sp; ch1, sc in nxt ch1 sp repeat between * * around; ch1, slp st into beg. sc (32 sc & 32 ch1 sp)
Measurement: 2.5”

Note: you gained a stitch when crocheting Rounds 17–22. If you wish to go back to 63 stitches and would like the brim to be closer, skp the sc in the joining st. Start the round by putting a sc in the ch1 sp.

Round 23: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st and ch around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

Round 24 & 25: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/sp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

End off at the end of round 28, and weave in all ends.
Measurement 24–26–1”
Length of hat from the crown – 8.5”
Across laid flat – 10”
Around the inside of the brim – 22.5”

Medium–Large Size

(20”-21” without hair) 

Crown Rounds

Round 1: ch1, sc in the ring 7x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (7 sc)

Round 2: ch1, sc in joining st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (14 sc)

Round 3: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 2st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (21 sc)

Round 4: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 2st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 3st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (28 sc)

Round 5: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 3st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 4st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (35 sc)

Round 6: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 4st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 5st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (42 sc)

Round 7: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 5st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 6st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (49 sc)

Round 8: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 6st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 7st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (56 sc)
Measurement: across 5.75”-6”

Body Rounds

Round 9–16: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)
Measurement: 2.75”

Band Rounds

Round 17: ch1, sc in joining st, ch1, skp st; sc in nxt st, ch1, skp a st; 31x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)

Round 18–23: slp st into 1st ch1 sp, ch1, sc in same ch1 sp; ch1, sc in nxt ch1 sp repeat between * * around; ch1, slp st into beg. sc (32 sc & 32 ch1 sp)
Measurement: 2.5”

Note: you gained a stitch when crocheting Rounds 18–23, if you wish to go back to 63 stitches and would like the brim to be closer, skp the sc in the joining st. Start the round by putting a sc in the ch1 sp.

Round 24: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st and ch around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

Round 25 & 26: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/sp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

End off at the end of round 28, and weave in all ends.
Measurement 24–26–1”
Length of hat from the crown – 8.75”
Across laid flat – 10.5”
Around the inside of the brim – 23.5”

Large–XLarge Size

(21”-22” without hair)

Crown Rounds

Round 1: ch1, sc in the ring 7x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (7 sc)

Round 2: ch1, sc in joining st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (14 sc)

Round 3: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt st, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 2st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (21 sc)

Round 4: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 2st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 3st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (28 sc)

Round 5: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 3st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 4st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (35 sc)

Round 6: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 4st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 5st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (42 sc)

Round 7: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 5st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 6st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (49 sc)

Round 8: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 6st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 7st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (56 sc)

Round 9: ch1, sc in joining st and in the nxt 7st’s, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt 8st’s, 2 sc in nxt st; 6x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)
Measurement: across 6.75”-7”

Body Rounds

Round 10–18: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)
Measurement: 3”

Band Rounds

Round 19: ch1, sc in joining st, ch1, skp st; sc in nxt st, ch1, skp a st; 31x; join w/slp st to beg. sc (63 sc)

Round 20–25: slp st into 1st ch1 sp, ch1, sc in same ch1 sp; ch1, sc in nxt ch1 sp repeat between * * around; ch1, slp st into beg. sc (32 sc & 32 ch1 sp)
Measurement: 2.5”

Note: you gained a stitch when crocheting Rounds 20–25, if you wish to go back to 63 stitches and would like the brim to be closer, skp the sc in the joining st. Start the round by putting a sc in the ch1 sp.

Round 26: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st and ch around; join w/slp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

Round 27 & 28: ch1, sc in joining st and in each st around; join w/sp st to beg. sc (64 sc)

End off at the end of round 28, and weave in all ends.
Measurement 18–20–1”
Length of hat from the crown – 9.25”
Across laid flat – 11.5”
Around the inside of the brim – 24.5”

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Final Thoughts from a Survivor and Designer

As a breast cancer survivor, I design chemo caps with great care. Every stitch is a reminder that love, comfort, and hope can be shared through yarn and hands.

This chenille chemo cap is a cozy option for those who can enjoy its soft warmth. For others, my bamboo and cotton-blend designs may be the gentler choice.

I’ve been there. I’ve fought the fight. And from the heart of a survivor, I want to help you be a help to other pink warriors.

I sometimes use affiliate links in my posts. This won’t cost you anything, but will help offset the cost of yarn and other supplies needed, so that I can continue bringing you crochet patterns and craft ideas. Thank you so much for your support.

I would love to hear if you crochet the Just Chenille Chemo Cap using this Free Crochet Pattern

 Drop me a line below to let me know how it goes.

 

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT This crochet pattern is protected by copyright Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet© 2025. Do not sell, alter or redistribute this tutorial or it’s photos in any way or form. You the maker are responsible for the finished product.

Safety & Care: This pattern is for crafting use only. The maker is responsible for safe material choice and finished item use. For full details, visit: krissysoverthemountaincrochet.com/krissys-otm-crochet-and-crafts-safety-care-guidelines/

Designer: Kristina L Moore / business: KrissysOverTheMountainCrochetAndCrafts
https://krissysoverthemountaincrochet.com
[email protected]
 October 2025