Kathy Korona (knitter extraordinaire) from the Ames Free Library in Easton, MA asked for a chemo cap pattern that the library knitting group (read more about this library at the end of the pattern) could make to donate to cancer patients. It needed to be simple enough for the newest knitters, with some “upgrades” for knitters ready for a challenge. After some thought, this is what I came up with and why:

Cancer sucks. And many of the medications used to treat it are godsends that can bring very unwelcome side effects. My neighbor has lived with breast cancer for too many years and of all she has endured, the thing that bothers her most is the loss of her hair. So if hair has to go, then something lovely should replace it. This cap has a rolled brim that can be knit 2 ways, a single roll or a double roll (in photo) which gives it a hefty brim to surround the face. Plus there is an optional Swirl knit in a contrasting color.

When I helped the Old South Church in Boston distribute hand-made scarves to athletes on the 1 year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing, we were asked to wrap the scarf around his/her neck and to say that each scarf was hand-knit with “Love and Courage.” Though you may never meet the person who wears it, consider attaching a note telling the recipient that each cap was knit with love and courage to help the wearer on their journey with cancer.

Two sizes Small/Med & Med/Large Copyright 2016 Lisa McFetridge Photo by Kathy Korona
Two Sizes: (Small/Med, Med/Large)

Materials:
190 (210) yds DK Weight yarn for solid color cap OR
170 (190) yds DK Weight yarn in Main Color (MC) and 25 yds Contrast Color (CC)
2 pairs 24” Circular needles, Size 6 or size needed to obtain gauge
ONLY ONE PAIR NEEDED IF MAKING SINGLE ROLL BRIM
1 set Double Pointed Needles in same size as circular needles
1 darning needle 1 size J Crochet Hook (optional) 1 stitch marker

Gauge: 22 sts x 30 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch
Finished Circumference: (18, 20) inches around head just above double rolled brim.
Desired Finished Height: Between 8 and 9 inches.

A little more about the Ames Free Library in Easton, MA….

These days a library is more than a library. This library’s “ little knitting group” has been sort of a catalyst to having other groups at the library start up. They now have a quilting group, a beading group and a needle workers group.  I can personally attest to the charity of the group. After designing the Boston Strong Hat in 2013, I spoke to the group and helped them cast on their own hats. One day someone from the library dropped off a big bag of the hats to give to survivors. They were much loved!

Ames Free Library Knitters have knit over 100 preemie hats in 2015 which were distributed to neonatal units in Massachusetts. They have also sold items so they can be self-supporting. This past Christmas a beautiful blanket was created by the group. Patrons were encouraged to submit a name of someone who they thought deserved it. All that was required was a name and way of contacting the winner.

Ames Free Library is again a finalist for the Best Small Library in America!