This design is the first in the Gold Craft, a collection of patterns, knit or crocheted in gold to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. This hat is knit in the round on a circular needle starting at the brim and working up. Double points or another circular will be needed to finish off the top of the hat. Gold yarn is used as it is the colour for childhood cancer awareness.

Additional measurements are given for sport weight yarn. Thank-you to Renee Burton (ReneeKnitsABit) for tech editing. This pattern would not have been published without her help.

This project was inspired by my daughter and all the amazing childhood cancer warriors I have come to know, many whose brilliance has been lost to this world. The first picture is of Bronwyn with Barry, her dad, my husband. With this hat pattern you can raise awareness just by wearing it or if you knit it for sale please donate the funds to childhood cancer research or a charity that supports families with a childhood cancer diagnosis. If you would like to contribute to the Gold Craft Project by either donating a design or creating a gold yarn please contact me at redplaid@shaw.ca.

Childhood Cancer Facts:

• Cancer is the leading disease related cause of death among kids after the first year of life. That’s more deaths than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined.
• One in five children who are diagnosed with cancer will die of the disease. In the USA seven children die every day.
• In terms of potential life saved, childhood cancer ranks second only to breast cancer.
• 98% of survivors of childhood cancer face at least one chronic health condition and by age 45, 80% have a life-threatening, serious or disabling chronic condition. Health conditions include neurocognitive impairments, sterility, secondary cancers, heart abnormalities and abnormal lung function. Most conditions are a result of the treatment.
• 1 in 330 individuals under the age of 20 will be diagnosed with cancer.

For more information check out:

• thetruth365.org
• curechildhoodcancer.ning.com
• stbaldricks.org

Awareness = money for research = better treatments and a cure.