Patterns, projects and techniques
SO, HERE THE FIRST QUESTION FOR JANUARY, 2010. If you don’t know how the blogtest works, please refer to my blog post of January 2, 2010 for all the rules.
WHAT IS YOUR CROCHET GOAL FOR 2010?
Be sure to post an answer ON THIS BLOG IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. Do not send an email to me or respond elsewhere if you want to be counted as an entry.
And, oh, yeah. The first prize is this sweet little book:
What a sweet little deal!
There are some crochet projects that are lovely to make, and then there are the ones that feel like they have a little more purpose stitched into them. Chemo caps definitely fall into that second category.
A handmade crochet chemo cap can provide warmth, privacy and comfort to someone experiencing treatment-related hair loss, but this is one charity crochet project where the yarn and pattern really do matter. A beautiful hat made with scratchy yarn or an open lace stitch may look lovely sitting on your craft table but be completely wrong for a sensitive scalp.
If you are new to making handmade donations, our broader Make To Donate crochet pattern collection is a useful place to start. 20 Crochet Patterns Perfect for Donating to Charities You can also read our guide to crocheting for a cause before choosing an organisation to support. Crochet for a Cause: Using Your Skills to Make a Difference
Before you start crocheting, contact your chosen cancer centre or organisation and check its current requirements.
Crochet for Cancer asks that donated caps are new, clean and free from perfume, smoke and pet hair. They recommend soft cotton, acrylic, silk, fleece or blends and specifically advise against wool and alpaca because they may irritate sensitive scalps. They also recommend close stitches without large gaps. Knots of Love similarly asks makers to avoid lacy or see-through designs and maintains its own approved yarn list.
In other words, this is not the project for that mystery skein of scratchy wool you bought on clearance twelve years ago and have been trying to justify ever since.
Get the Simple Crochet Chemo Cap free pattern
This is a very practical place to start. The pattern was specifically designed as a chemo cap and comes in sizes from children through adult extra large.
It uses a cotton and rayon blend and combines half double crochet with subtle ridged sections, giving the hat some texture without creating big open spaces. I particularly like having several sizes in one pattern because cancer treatment affects people of every age.
Get the Canadia Hat free crochet pattern
The Canadia Hat from Banana Moon Studio was designed specifically with chemo care in mind. It uses a light worsted yarn and linked stitches that help create a fairly solid fabric without making the hat stiff.
The pattern includes a range of sizes and the free version is available directly on the designer’s website.
Get the Lily of the Valley Chemo Cap pattern
If you would like something a little prettier without wandering into overly open lace territory, this floral-textured chemo cap is a lovely option.
It was created for the Crochet Cancer Challenge and is designed using soft lightweight yarn for comfortable wear. It has enough detail to feel special while still being intended specifically for cancer patients and donation programs.
Get the free Velvet Ridge Chemo Cap pattern
This newer chemo cap pattern includes four sizes from approximately age five through adult XL.
It uses plush chenille-style yarn and has a simple ridged band for a little visual detail. The designer also suggests checking with your local cancer centre before making donation caps, which is advice I wish every charity pattern included.
Get the Soft Heart Chemo Hat free crochet pattern
The Soft Heart Beanie was created for the 2025 Crochet Cancer Challenge and comes in six sizes, from preemie through adult.
The design is seamless, soft and designed to work up relatively quickly, making it a particularly useful pattern if your crochet group is planning to make multiple hats.
Get the Diane Beanie free crochet pattern
The Diane Beanie is a simple top-down design made primarily with single crochet and finished with a back-loop ribbed brim.
The result is a fairly dense fabric, which is exactly what we want for a chemo cap. The pattern includes teen/small adult and large adult sizing.
Get the Textured Stripes Chemo Cap free pattern
I like this one for anyone who gets bored making completely plain hats.
The texture gives the cap a little personality, but the designer has kept the inside comfortable and smooth. It was created specifically for cancer-hat donation projects, so it fits our Make To Donate theme beautifully.
Get the Elixir Chemo Cap free crochet pattern
The Elixir is another pattern created specifically for charity donation and cancer awareness.
It includes three sizes and was designed to be lightweight, breathable and gentle. You can also choose a yarn colour associated with a particular cancer awareness cause if you are making hats for a specific fundraising or support event.
Get the free Cancer Ribbon Beanie pattern
This one makes the symbolism quite literal, with an awareness ribbon worked into the hat design.
The pattern comes in toddler, child and adult sizes and uses front-post colourwork to create the ribbon motif.
For actual chemo use, I would pay particular attention to the yarn choice and inside texture. For awareness events, fundraising or support gifts, though, the ribbon detail is especially meaningful.
Get the Hopeful Butterfly Hat free pattern
This hat was originally created as a chemo cap and incorporates awareness-inspired detailing along with butterfly symbolism.
It is a lovely choice when you want something that looks less like a basic medical head covering and more like a thoughtfully designed handmade accessory.
Get the Summer Chemo Cap free crochet pattern
Most chemo-cap collections lean heavily towards cold-weather beanies, so I was pleased to find this summer option.
It combines a lightweight cap with a small sun-hat-style brim and was designed specifically for people undergoing treatment or experiencing sensitive scalps.
It is also a good reminder that people undergoing cancer treatment may need comfortable head coverings all year round, not just when the temperature drops.
Get the Consuelo Beanie free crochet pattern
The Consuelo Beanie was created for the Crochet Cancer Challenge and the complete crochet pattern remains available free on the designer’s blog.
It is beginner-friendly and was designed specifically as a hat suitable for donating to someone living with cancer.
Get Linda’s Easy Chemo Cap pattern
This is an older pattern, but still a useful one to keep bookmarked.
The adult-small version remains available as a free download, and the design was created specifically for makers pledging to donate a hat to a cancer patient or treatment centre.
Get the Just Chenille Chemo Cap free pattern
If the receiving organisation accepts chenille yarn, this plush option is worth considering.
The free pattern includes three adult sizes from XS through XL and uses soft chenille yarn to produce a warm, velvety cap. As always, check the charity’s yarn list first because individual cancer centres may have different requirements.
See Kim’s Chemo Hat crochet pattern on Etsy
For our paid Etsy option, Kim’s Beanie from ThroughTheLoopYC was originally designed for the Crochet Cancer Challenge.
The PDF includes child, adult small and adult large sizing plus a photo stitch tutorial. It is labelled as an easy to advanced-beginner pattern and was designed specifically as a soft, comfortable chemo cap.
This is one area where I would choose yarn for the recipient rather than because I happen to love the colour.
A yarn that feels perfectly comfortable against your hand may feel completely different against a scalp made sensitive by chemotherapy.
Look for soft, smooth and washable fibres and avoid heavily textured, scratchy or hairy yarn unless the receiving organisation has specifically approved it.
Knots of Love actually maintains a required yarn list for its own donations, which is a good reminder that there isn’t one universal “best chemo-cap yarn.”
If you’re buying yarn specifically for charity projects rather than raiding the stash, I would choose practical washable colours and yarn you can reliably buy again. Nobody needs to discover halfway through a 20-hat charity project that the beautiful bargain yarn was discontinued in 2009.
For most donation programs, think:
soft rather than scratchy
close stitches rather than open lace
comfortable seams
good scalp coverage
washable yarn
no heavy embellishments unless the charity specifically allows them
a useful range of sizes
And always make the hat to the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
For more general hat donations, you can also browse our 10 crochet beanie patterns to make and donate. See the charity crochet beanie roundup
CraftBits also has a free vintage child’s crochet beanie pattern that can be useful for general children’s winter charity projects. Free Vintage Crochet Child’s Beanie Pattern on CraftBits For cancer-care donations, however, I would only use it after checking the yarn, fit and stitch coverage against the receiving organisation’s chemo-cap requirements.
There is something quietly powerful about making a chemo cap for someone you may never meet. It is not going to change their diagnosis or make treatment easier, but it can make one cold waiting room, one difficult morning or one vulnerable moment a little more comfortable.
Sometimes a ball of yarn really can become something much bigger than we expected.
For 2010, my goals are to do everything in the CALs that I have joined – at least 10 shawls, 10 12×12 inch blocks, at least 1 class a month at HPKCHC, etc.
Oh, and to do at least three skirts for me, while trying not to stress out about my son (who is currently deployed in SW Asia).
Starting the projects is not the problem, finishing them is…oh, and trying to do the majority from my stash.
I just found amigurumi…I’ve been out of crocheting for a while. Last year I crocheted 3 animals for TheToySociety toy drops, this year my goal is to do at least one a month to continue the drops.
Finishing at least one small project a month and FINALLY making something for myself a sweater and a new bedspread. Oh ya and finishing this fine crochet bedspead that I have been working on for TEN YEARS!!! Time to get going on that I think.
My crochet goal is to learn to crochet!
I have the basics down but just can’t seem to make the stitches consistent. So I usually give up and knit instead.
My crochet goal is to use up all the yarn in my stash (which is outta control!!!) and to make and finish at least one project every month. I also want to learn tunisian crochet.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to learn how to read crochet ‘patterns’. I want to learn the lingo well enough to complete projects, right now I just know a few stitches here and there.
I goal is to finish a sweater I started in Feb, 2006 for my DIL. I was about 2/3 done when I had a stroke. I was spared any physical damage but the brain is another thing! I was immediately able to crochet but couldn’t read/understand patterns. I’ve slowly worked my way back and am ready to tackle this again. I want to have it done for her birthday Feb 15. Then I’ll start on other UFOs.
I’ve thought quite a bit about what I want to resolve to do with my crochet. Eventually, I really want to turn my crafting into a legit business (not just the odd contract piece). So, I’m resolving to work on perfecting techniques and finishing–to really give my work that extra “something.”
Actually, this is going to sound weird.My 2 year old grandson is totally in to ROBOTS! MY daughter had just done a painting of one for his room, and I commented that I had to find a pattern to crochet one for him. So that was my immediate goal.
I want to make a teddy bear for my son, who is turning 1 this week. A quality-looking 10″ or so sized one that can be his “Forever Teddy.” If you know where I can find a good pattern, just let me know. Thanks! Happy crocheting!
My goal is to get my nine year old daughter hooked on crochet. Actually…any of my children, but I’ve been softening her up. Now I’ve just got to grasp that hook and show her how much fun it can be.
My crochet goal for 2010 is basically threefold. 1. To finish off the projects that are lying around almost finished. 2. To make more baby outfits for the charity that I belong to. 3. To really make an effort to do some Tunisian crochet and do it properly and finish it.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to complete one amigurumi character a month.
crochet goals: finish daughter black & gray afghan; design &make son’s purple, black & red afghan; make slipper socks for everyone’s Christmas visit; make bed slippers for hubby; Make 2 shawls/month for church charity project; Design & make dresses for large porcelian dolls-showcase items; join CGOA & take master crochet course.
For 2010, I have promised myself that I will stop making things for me that I won’t wear. I find enticing frilly things that I just love, make them, and then am not comfortable wearing them. I will continue taking those ‘unwearables’ apart and making something that I will use with the yarn. I really hate wasting yarn!
My crochet goal in 2010 is to learn how to crochet! I’ve been admiring other people’s beautiful works for a couple of months now, and I think it’s time that I learn it myself!
My crochet goals for 2010 are to finish an afghan by joining a block-a-month group, creating my own patterns, and making things for myself as well as others.
My goal for 2010 is to make more presents for my family crocheting or knitting. Also to make more items for myself.
I will finally get back to crocheting once my wrist has healed. I will finish my daughters afghan that’s 2/3 of the way complete & also continue crocheting the scarfs for the caritas men that my church supports.
My goal this year is to crochet enough items to have for a booth at a yearly craft fair held every November here. Plus, my sister-in-law is pushing me to sell my crocheted items and write down my patterns. Lol, looks like a busy year for me.
I’m 8 months pregnant and so my crochet goal is to make something for baby this year!
I recently moved from Canada to Austria, so my 2010 goal is to learn to read crochet patterns in German to be better able to make use of all the resources here.
Goals… I have some but I am not exactly sure what they are… they are more like vague ideas on where I want my life to go… things like I want to make more time to crochet and paint and design jewelry… but I have to finish all the UFO’s first, then the WIP’s, then get the craft room organized after I figure out what I’m keeping and where I’ll put it…
So I guess my goal is to make some time every day to work toward these things… maybe one day I’ll crochet, one day make jewelry, one day go thru my stash of fabrics… but if I tackle a little every day after a while my goals will be accomplished.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to keep learning new patterns and stitches. I also want to finish a sweater set for my grandnephew who is going to be born around August
My goal is to continue busting my stash by making cat beds for a local rescue group.
My crochet goal is to finish a NY Yankees afghan I just started and to start making patterns that are in the intermediate category and get away from simply single and double crochet projects.
My goal for this year, is to quit work, and crochet for my home. I have so many places in my home begging to be crocheted for. I have started to lay awake at night thinking of things I can crochet for each and every room. I think I have some crochet illness. I’m sure you all must have the same condition.
My main goal right now is to finish my first afghan ever! I haven’t ever made one, it seems like such a huge project but I chose a good one I think. I’m doing the sampler afghan 6401. Yippie! I’m working on the third block now 🙂 It’s only 48 total (only.. heehee)
So I’ll make a blanket and get to practice 48 ways of stitches!
Here’s the pattern I’m doing
http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/afghan-patterns/vol64-no6401
My goals are twofold:
1. Finish my middle son’s afghan-in-progress
2. For new projects, crochet only from stash (with a near-certain falling off the wagon at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival)
My crochet goal this year is to crochet at least 6 items. I work fulltime and have a 7 year old daughter who is into activities and homework so my crochet time is very limited. I have already begun by crocheting a Granny Square Christmas Tree (pic on Crochet Partners), I’m working on a caplet now for my daughter’s fist communion in March and I want to make some things for me. So, for me this is a big goal
My goal is to finish the afghan that I had started for my husband to give to my grandson since my husband passed away on January 6, 2010 and this little guy will never know his papa.
I’ve had a Babette in my queue waiting to be hooked seems like forever. I’ve got the yarn, and have started working on a few squares. Let’s see if 2010 is the year I finally finish an afghan.
I intend to finish the Dale Earnhardt afghan (so much larger than an afghan) that I originally started 3 years ago.
I just started learning crochet at the end of 2009 and when my best friend found out she said she wanted me to crochet her a waistcoat for Christmas 2010. So that is my goal to be able to crochet her waistcoat by this coming Christmas 🙂 Eek!
Hi , my goal is to to teach as much and to as many as possible the dying art of crochet . I also want to distrbute maximum profit to each one of my NGO girls for all the hard work they put in . So guys , please pray that all our exhibitions here in India area a roaring success !!
To feel more in control, proficient, comfortable with it. I still feel like i am stumbling around, or guessing. But with the help of the internet and a few good books with photos i am getting htere!
My goal for 2010 is to use all the Red Heart Super Saver yarn (tubs full) that is not soft enough for hats, scarves, afghans, etc. BEFORE I buy any more yarn! I inherited the yarn from my mother and sister and feel guilty every time I buy other yarn to make a project.
I want to make my daughter a doll afghan — shouldn’t take long!
I would love to learn more than just the basics of crochet.