Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

WIN SOME NEEDLES – AND A HOOK TOO!

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I ran across these in my stash recently.  Don’t recall where they came from.  But, I don’t need them.  If you knit or want to learn, then add a comment below.  I’ll wait til May 5 (some fun for Cinco de Mayo) and draw a name for the winner.  I’ll throw in at least one crochet hook too – maybe not a new one, but a good one.

CHIAOGOO SINGLE POINT KNIT NEEDLES SIZE 3, 14 INCH

CHIAOGOO SINGLE POINT KNIT NEEDLES SIZE 3, 14 INCH

The hooks I’m offering are in slightly different packaging.  They’re size 3 and are 14 inches long.  Needles made in China from “Chinese Moso Bamboo, one of the largest and strongest bamboo species in the world.”

Leave me a comment – and Good Luck!

Comments

  2. All right, all right…I’ll take those needles off your hands for you! Thanks for the giveaway!

  3. I have arthritis in my hands and have heard they are easy on the hands More giving. That is my reason for wantingthese needles

  5. Hi, I would love to get the needles, I am learning to knit, self taught, and love all kinds of hooks & needles. Hugs, Mary

  7. I love crocheting but never worked with bamboo hooks before but I heard they are nice to work with.I would really appreciate winning them but if I dont it was fun entering anyway.Happy Crocheting everyone

  8. I just taught myself to knit and am now teaching my 8 year old, so these would come in very handy. Plus my birthday is in early May, so it would make a nice present to me!

  14. I truly enjoy working with bamboo hooks and needles, actually just about any wood hooks, like rosewood, bamboo, and a few others, but my all time favorite are bamboo and rosewood. I also teach crochet to friends, and besides the hooks and needles I have, which I don’t want to part with, they are having a hard time finding wood hooks in stores. I am trying to convince them wood is better.

  15. We can never have too many knitting needles. And bamboo to boot. I could use size 3! Thanks for this giveaway.

  16. They are really beautiful knitting needles and I would LOVE to win them. I knit a scarf this winter and would really like to try needles made from bamboo, they are beautiful!!
    thank you, Lynne

  18. I’m reposting this as my first attempt is still awaiting moderation (first one made according to time stamp.. lol.. go figger)

    Would love to win some needles and a hook (or two?). Maybe it would inspire me to learn to knit. Like I need another passion.. lol. Even if I didn’t learn, I do have family members who knit and these would make great gifts.

  20. I saw your contest on crochetpartners. I simply adore bamboo tools of any kind, especially for threadcrafting, so I woulod be very happy to give a home to and love some bamboo needles. I also want to comment on your query about what I want in a crochet book. I want to see unusual techniques, not the run of the mill same ol same ol and I want to see fresh ideas with old ways of making. Twist it up, you know what I mean?

  22. I’m retiring the 10th of May. Those needles would be wonderful to start retirement with!

  23. I bought my first set of bamboo needles last summer only because the lys only had bamboo for the size I needed.I had never used them before. I fell in love and am slowly replacing all my metal needles with bamboo. Any help in accomplishing this would be greatly appreciated.

  24. I totally want to learn to crochet! I tried knitting; I’m not so good at it. But maybe these will motivate me x3

  25. I would absolutely treasure a bamboo crochet hook! I cant get decent ones here…
    Please put my name in!!! 😉

  26. I would LOVE to acquire some more needles!! I have just started to learn to knit and my “stash” of needles of course is not built yet…lol

  28. I love to crochet and I love to knit – do about 50 – 50. The few bamboo needles that I have I love – they are smooth to knit with.

    have a good day, mary ann

  29. if you are willing to give them, i am willing

    to take them. i have been thinking about

    learning; maybe these would be my incentive if

    i was lucky to win.

    thank you, bev

  30. I think it’s great that you do these prize blogs! Really generous of you, especially with the economy the way it is right now!
    Jennifer

  31. I have crocheted for quite some time but I feel it’s time to expand my horizons…I’d be much appreciative if you sent anything my way…thanks!

  33. I don’t know how to knit so this would be a great reason to learn! I do crochet and just recently tried plastic canvas. I love your blog and have signed up and receive emails about Craftgossip so I look daily for updates to your blog. You do a great job. Keep it up please!

  36. My mom love to knit, and me love to crochet. It would be a great gift to my mom for mother’s day! I do have a bamboo crochet hook, but i seldom use it as the yarn size is not suitable. But i guess it would be more environmental friendly to use wooden / bamboo hook instead of plastic ones.Thanks

  37. I’d love to have a chance to win. I would love to learn how to knit, since everyone ask me if i do when they see me crocheting.

  38. I babysit for some kids that want to learn to knit. I figuired couldn’t hurt to enter.And you can never have too many crochet hooks either.
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    Karen

  39. I’m a long time crocheter, and thought I would learn how to knit just because i’ve read so much about it. Also, i’ve seen so many pretty things that have been knitted. So…when you start a new habit, everyone knows you have to stock up….I would love to have bamboo needles to add to my new collection.

  40. I’m a self taught knitter & crocheter…newer to knitting than crochet & I’d love to get my hands on some new needles!

  41. I had to move and lost all my knitting needles and steel hooks. Bamboo sounds interesting and would love to try them.
    You have a very nice and informative blog.
    Thank you.

  42. Hi JD!
    I love to crochet. I have been wanting to learn to knit for some time, just can never bring myself to buy needles. If I won some it would give me a push to see what I can do with knitting! I recently crocheted an afghan for my grandson (due any day!),it is a star, and is backed with flannel. I would love to send pictures. Just tell me where I can e-mail them!
    God Bless…..Ruby

  44. After becoming disabled at a young age, I taught myself to crochet and have enjoyed it a lot. Now I’ve learned to knit and am enjoying it too. There are things that look so much nicer knitted versus crocheted and vice versa. My knitting supplies are sparse and I’ve never used bamboo needles but would love to! I’ve heard such positive feedback on bamboo that I’d love to add them to my supplies! Thanks!

  45. Ooooh I love bamboo needles and would love to have them in my knitting bag. I am new to knitting but am enjoying it a lot. Even with the simple errors that I make.
    *crossing fingers that my name gets drawn*
    Cheers.

    PS Happy Cinco de Mayo

  46. I thought I’d already sent one but, didn’t see it on the list. I knitted years ago and thought I would stick with crochet. Gave all my knitting goodies away. DUH!! Now I’m back into making a few things and only have a few needles. I love bamboo but can’t find them here. Winning these would be lovely. Love your site jd!

  47. love the kneedle idea. I also have never used bamboo kneedles but, would be very interested in trying them out. I do alot of crocheting but, I have become more interested in doing some knitting. I like to learn the continential knitting it seems so much easier to do. I am in the beginning stages of learning. I check out your site from to time. I find some useful information. Thank you.

  48. I’d like to be entered in the drawing for the needles. My d-i-l wants to learn to knit. I’d love to present her with her own startup kit :O) Thanks!

  49. E-mail is a wond’rous thing
    Across the seas my messages wing
    From me to you
    O’er miles of blue
    I ‘ld gladly accept those needles too!

  50. I’d like to be entered also. I love to knit and I’m crazy about bamboo needles. Thanks for the contest.

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.