Crochet Chemo Cap – Pearson Hat

Warm up with the squishy, soft texture of the Pearson hat. I originally designed this crochet chemo cap for a cancer awareness project. It features a solid stitch pattern and stretchy, forgiving fit. This makes it perfect for charity projects and gifting too!  

Never Alone

Cancer touches most of our lives in one way or another. In my case, both my parents had cancers of different kinds. My dad passed away several years ago from complications of Leukemia. My mom survived stage 4 breast cancer when I was very young, but lost a new battle with a different cancer last year. Pearson is the name of the street I grew up on, and where they both lived until the end.

Like any serious illness, cancer takes a toll not just on those who have it, but on their families and loved ones as well. A handmade, crochet chemo cap can bring comfort to a cancer patient that goes beyond covering their head. It is a reminder that they are not alone in their fight.

Cancer Awareness Colors

Cancer awareness ribbons come in many colors, each representing a different type of cancer. Rather than choose one type of cancer, I chose lavender because it represents all cancer as a whole.

The Crochet Cancer Challenge

This crochet chemo cap was my design for the Crochet Cancer Challenge, organized by Sweet Potato 3, in 2019. This was my first time participating in this event, in it’s 6th year. A different designer posted a new hat pattern each day through the month of October. During the event, participants could download the pdf for in exchange for a pledge to make at least one hat for a cancer related charity. I will most likely be participating in this same event in 2020, with a new hat design!

Working into the 3rd loop

The texture of this pattern is created with half double crochet stitches worked into the third loop. The third loop is in the back, and just below the front and back loops that we would normally work into.

For a more detailed look at working into the third loop of hdc, see this tutorial

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Pearson Hat

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Materials:

• Yarn: 150 yds of worsted weight yarn
• Hook: Size H / 5 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions:
  • Stitch marker or scrap of yarn.
  • Yarn needle

Project Level:

Intermediate – Working in the round, increasing in pattern, working into 3^rd loop, front and back post stitches.

Size:

Adult, one size fits most.

Gauge:

12 hdc x 9 rows = 4 inches. Use pattern as gauge swatch – after rnd 8, work should measure 6.25 inches in diameter.

Abbreviations used:

(Pattern is written in US terms)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• tlo = third loop only
• fpsc = front post single crochet
• fphdc = front post half double crochet
• bphdc = back post half double crochet
• inc = increase (see Special Stitch)
• sl st = slip stitch
• sk = skip
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Recommended Resources:

• Continuous Rounds and Running Stitch Markers
• Half Double Crochet in the Third Loop Only

Special Stitch:

Increase (inc): Hdc in indicated st, then hdc in tlo of the same st.

Instructions:

Entire hat is worked in continuous rounds, on right side of work. Do not join or turn. Mark first stitch of each round.

Crown

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 8 hdc in 2^nd ch from hook. (8 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (16 sts)

Rnd 3: (Inc in next st, hdc in next st) around. (24 sts)

Rnd 4: (Inc in next st, hdc in next st, hdc in tlo of next st) around. (32 sts).

Rnd 5: (Inc in next st, hdc in next st, hdc in tlo of next st, hdc in next st) around. (40 sts).

Rnd 6: *Inc in next st, (hdc in next st, hdc in tlo of next st) twice, repeat from * around. (48 sts).

Rnd 7: *Inch in next st, hdc in next st, (hdc in tlo of next st, hdc in next st) twice, repeat from * around. (56 sts).

Rnd 8: *Inc in next st, (hdc in next st, hdc in tlo of next st) 3 times, repeat from * around. (64 sts).

Work should now measure approximately 7 inches in diameter.

Main section

Rnd 9: (Hdc in next st, hdc in tlo of next st) around. (64 sts).

Repeat Rnd 9 until work measures 7.5 inches from top of crown, or about 1 inch shorter than desired final length.

Ribbing:

Rnds 1-2: (Fphdc in next st, bphdc in next st) around. (64 sts)

Smoothing edge: Fpsc in next st, sl st in next st, fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

I hope you enjoy this pattern! A downloadable pdf of this pattern is also available in my Craftsy store or on Ravelry, for a small fee. The fee for the pdf format is to offset the advertising revenue lost when you print or download the pattern rather than viewing it online.

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