Slouchy Chemo Hat

 

This hat is my modified version of the Gilda's Club Chemo Hat pattern using 8ply yarn and without the added bow. A slouchy hat offers the wearer a little more style than a regular beanie.  

  

Some points to consider for chemo hats:

Don't use yellow or green yarn for the hat as these colours are unsuitable for ill people.

Hats must be seamless and made from a very soft yarn, preferably not wool as some people are allergic to wool.

Don't have any holes in the body of the hat so avoid lacy patterns.

The rib should be knitted on small needles for a firm fit so it will not slip off.

Materials

8ply soft yarn x 100 grams

3.5 mm circular knitting needle for rib

4.5 mm circular knitting needle for body of hat 

Method

Cast on 92 stitches plus 1 stitch for joining using 3.5mm needles. Join and rib in K1 P1 for about 5cm.

Using 4.5 mm needles increase next row to 120 stitches (K3, increase 1 stitch to end, K last 2 stitches together) To prevent any holes in the hat, make increases by picking up a stitch from the knitted bar between stitches, and knitting into the back of the loop, NOT by knitting into the stitch twice.

Pattern Stitch

1. P4,K1, P1, K4

2. P3, K2, P2, K3

3. P2, K2, P1, K1, P2, K2

4. P1, K2, P2, K2, P2, K1

5. K2, P3, K3, P2

6. K1, P4, K4, P1

Work in pattern stitch until hat measures approx. 20cm, ending with row 2 of the pattern stitch

Crown decrease

1. (P2 tog, K2, P1, K1, P2, K2tog) 12 times = 96 stitches

2. (K2, P2) 24 times

3. (P2 tog, P2, K2, K2tog) 12 times = 72stitches

4. (P3, K3) 12 times

5. (P2 tog, K1, P1, K2tog) 12 times = 48 stitches

6. (K2, P2) 12 times

7. (P2 tog, K2 tog) 12 times = 24 stitches

8. (P1, K1) 12 times

9. (P2tog, K2tog) 6 times = 12 stitches

10. (K2tog) 6 times = 6 stitches

Cut yarn leaving a long tail and thread through the 6 stitches with a wool needle. Secure and finish off neatly on OUTSIDE of the hat.