Crochet

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Does Anyone Else…..

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Find it frustrating to try to navigate around Pinterest?  There are lots of great pictures – but I often find it difficult to find the original pattern source for something that intrigues me!  There is a section entitled ‘People’ – but the people there are in no order, so it’s very difficult to find he same person twice, especially if I don’t remember the exact name.

I also find it to be a huge time waster!  Initially, I thought Pinterest would be a great source of crochet inspiration.  But, I find that I spend more time there just trying to source a pattern or find a crocheter than actually getting any kind of inspiration!  That’s a problem for me.

I think Pinterest could be a great resource.  But, the way it’s organized (or should I say disorganized), I have to spend too much time wandering sort of aimlessly there rather than being able to go directly to a person or pattern or project.  I have heard some rumblings of these same feelings from some other crocheters.  What about you?

Comments

  2. I love Pinterest as a way to keep track of things that I’ve stumbled across on the internet, but I rarely spend time surfing through other people’s pins. Not only is it annoying to not be able to find the original source, but it drives me crazy when you search for something as generic as “crochet” you tend to end up with the same image 14 times.

  3. Its not necessarily a pinterest problem, it’s a problem with the pinners not sourcing the photos properly. It’s actually easy to do, but for some I guess they can’t figure it out. Google also has a way of searching for image sources that works pretty well. I’ll also try the link above as well.

  5. Once you find someone you like, or a board you like, follow it, and you’ll always be able to find it.

    I know what you mean with trying to find the source, though. That’s why I generally do not simply re-pin an item–I’ll open the link and pin it from the original site just to make sure it isn’t spam or a site that is copying from another site. I prefer the original creators! ^_^

    Also, http://thedailydigi.com/pinterest-101-a-tutorial/

  6. I look at it more as an stumble upon inspiration board type of experience. I’m sometimes disappointed when I can’t find the source, but I find that instead of following explicit instructions, I enjoy it more when I try to figure it out myself or talk with my friends about ways to do it.

    It’s become a really fun way to learn and try new things I haven’t thought of before.

  7. I have the same problem. I use pinterest a LOT, but usually just pinning things myself from the blogs I read, then the pins go directly to where I pinned them from.

  9. So happy. I thought it was only me. Pinterest gets me so confused. When I do find something I want, it turns out to be completely by accident. Do they have a page that explains all this stuff. Obviously not. Had a funny experience with ‘Pinterest’ that wasn’t.Kept asking to join. P.S. What is that about. Kept doing it for months (literally) then got an email from a blogI subscibe to saying that in Russia was a fake Pinterest (that appeared to have pirated the real Pinterest & that the only way to get to the real one was http://www.pinterest.com. Did that & received an invitation to become a member within 12 hours. Weird. Keep an eye out for this.

  10. My deal with the site is that when someone “pins” something and then you go to find it, you have to search and search for the original item pinned whether it be a craft item, recipe, or something else. It is not the easiest place to navigate and sometimes it is very frustrating BUT most of the time I eventually find what I am looking for.

  11. I don’t search it the way you do, which is maybe why I like it better :). I follow people who seem to have pins I like, and then I just periodically look at “Pinners You Folow” or search for crochet boards to find more people to follow!

  12. I never saw the advantages of Pinterest and it was a great time waster to me also. It never really piqued my interest. I was granted an account (that kind of irked me too) and just never logged in after that. I’d rather browse blogs and their blogrolls.

  13. Yes, it’s terrible. My followers get updates of a new pin I make, and it starts at the top, pushing everything else down. My pins of crochet/craft items is so long that it takes 4 min to scroll down to the first one I ever posted. I am now “creating” new boards to btrakit down a bit. “Crochet Blouses, L.S.”, (L.S.= Lang Sleves), S.S., Tank Tops, Doilies, Bags/Purses, Toys, Appliques/Frigies.
    All w/ Crochet in front. Same goes for recipes.

  14. Hum… There were some typos there. That’s Long Sleeves, and Short Sleeves. And “btrakit” was ontended to be “break it”.

  16. I have enough time consuming things now…..crochet, groups, blogs I follow, that I don’t need another so I never bothered with it. From what you’ve said, I’m glad I didn’t.

  17. I love pinterest. For me it’s a great way of using it to keep my bookmarks organised, bookmarks with pictures are easier to locate than bookmarks without. I never have a problem locating the source of the pattern or item that i want to see and if i repin, i always repin from the original page.

  18. I used to go down the bunny trails to get to the original website then my daughter told me how she does it. So simple 😛 Just tap or click on the picture and presto you are at the original post.
    Happy pinning! 🙂

  20. This is all very good for me to hear! I pin all the crochet patterns I write. Now after reading this, I think I need to go back into Pinterest and create more specific boards so it’ll be easier for people to navigate.

    In all honesty, I don’t have time to surf around on Pinterest much. The few times, I’ve had the whole “going down a rabbit trail” experience too.

  21. I get frustrated with pinterest. I don’t have the patience or time to wast trying to find what I am looking for.

  22. I don’t surf around to find stuff on Pinterest, because people (including myself) often don’t tag the pictures with good keywords.
    Instead I follow people’s boards, where they collect crochet stuff or other things I am interested in. It works great for me: When I open Pinterest, I see all the recent pins from many different crochet boards.

  23. I use it for myself as a bookmark with pictures. My frustration is when certain sites won’t let me pin a picture.

  24. Pinterest was taking up way to much of my CRAFTY TIME!! I would spend way to many hours looking and not crafting,so I deleted my account and I am so glad I did!!

  25. I don’t typically browse Pinterest for ideas. I just use it for pinning things I find on my own. So I can keep track of things I find. 🙂

  26. i find it such hard work to find or pin anything, I have 1 pin and then have been blocked everytime from pinning anything else, it’s a great idea, but a bit of a mess.

  27. I agree. I have never been able to get into pintrest because once I find an idea I like I expect to be able to quickly get to the instructions and get inspired! Instead I spend 5 min looking for the original and more often than not give up and decide to figure it out myself. While I don’t have a problem figuring things out myself, that was hardly why I was browsing pintrest.

  28. I am very disappointed in pinterest & I don’t know how to unsubscribe from them. I thought it was a place to keep my pictures of my crochet projects or whatever. Unfortunately, I find that something w/ the little icon can only be “pinned”. Otherwise, I have no time or use for this site. I’m very busy in other words. Anyway, it was later that my daughter pointed out Picasa to me. Like a personal photo album. Thanks! Sheri *c*

Have you read?

Make To Donate: Crochet Chemo Cap Patterns

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.

Crochet Chemo Cap Patterns to Make and Donate

1. Simple Crochet Chemo Cap

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.

2. Canadia Chemo Cap

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.

3. Lily of the Valley Chemo Cap

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.

4. Velvet Ridge Chemo Cap in Four Sizes

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.

5. Soft Heart Chemo Hat

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.

6. Diane Beanie Chemo Cap

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.

7. Textured Stripes Chemo Cap

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.

8. Elixir Chemo Cap

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.

9. Cancer Ribbon Crochet Beanie

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.

10. Hopeful Butterfly Chemo Hat

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.

11. Summer Chemo Cap With Sun Hat Brim

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.

12. Consuelo Beanie

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.

13. Linda’s Easy Chemo Cap

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.

14. Just Chenille Chemo Cap

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.

15. Kim’s Chemo Hat Crochet Pattern

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.

Choosing Yarn for Crochet Chemo Caps

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.

What Makes a Good Crochet Chemo Cap?

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.