Soft knit hats are a great way to take care of someone who is in the hospital or undergoing chemotherapy. But the yarn you normally use for hats is not ideal for cancer patients.
The best yarns to choose in this case are synthetic yarns.
Wool yarns are actually too warm, and ever superwash wools require gentle care – not a responsibility you want to add to someone already dealing with a lot.
In additional, even soft wool can irritate sensitive skin.
We recommend Berroco Comfort which is 50% nylon and 50% acrylic, and very soft.
For women, pretty, bright colors are a great choice.
Many men often prefer navy or gray.
You can knit our basic Magic Loop hat pattern, or something fancier like the Shedir Cap above.
Just make sure the hat has no lacy designs (i.e. no holes) so that it is uniformely warm. As one KnitFreedom student who went through breast cancer and chemotherapy said, “Amazing how warm our hair keeps us – you don’t know until it’s gone!”
I hope these tips will help you keep a loved one warm and cozy if they need it.
P.S. A small pillow can also be a great comfort to someone in the hospital. To knit one, use Judy’s Magic Cast-On to cast on as many stitches as you would like the pillow to be wide. Then, work in the round on Magic Loop for as long as you would like the pillow to be tall. Then, fill it with stuffing and bind off using Kitchener stitch.
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