CHEMO CAPS AND SKINNY SCARVES
We’re launching our big stake service project for the local cancer hospitals. The goal is to sew at least 200 chemo caps and 200 skinny scarves. Just let me know if you’re at all interested. I would be happy to mail you a copy of the hat pattern my sister scammed, I mean designed, and some simple instructions. All it takes is about 18 inches of very stretchy light weight knit fabric. Place the pattern piece on the fold.
Cut out and set your sewing machine to a slight zig zag stitch for added stretch and durability.
1. Sew a narrow (1/4″) seam along the cut side being sure to leave a 1 1/2″ opening near one end, for turning the cap right side out.
2. Sew the outside edges (only) together on each of the four points.
3. Turn the cap so that the fold and side seam run down the middle of the front and back. Sew one continuous arched seam across the top and another across the bottom end of the cap.
4. Turn cap right side out by pulling it through the opening left in the original side seam made back in step 1.
Machine stitch the opening closed very close to the edge.
Fold bottom half of fabric up inside the cap so that it becomes a self-lining. Tack both layers together at the top with a few hand stitches.
All done! In basically four steps and almost no time at all, you can make a stylish alternative to the typical turban. The soft and cozy t-shirt weight fabric makes this beanie perfect for the summer months or as an extra layer in the winter.
The skinny scarves are 5″ or 6″ cuts from any light weight cloth.
Then it’s pinned together lengthwise, right sides together, and sewn with about a 1/4″ seam from one selvage end to the other.
Then I add a safety pin to one end and chase it through the tunnel of fabric to turn it right side out.
Next, turn the seam so that it runs down the middle of the scarf and iron.
The skinny scarf is finished except for any decorations that you may want to add.
I love the big bow. It reminds me of the flapper look.
My friend Laurie made this little rose from leftover scraps of knit fabric. I haven’t tried it but she swears it’s just five circles folded in quarters and stitched at the bottom with a couple of leaves added to the sides.
Super cute, don’t you think?
If you want to use the pattern, please visit the pattern post.
Tags: a cool alternative to the crocheted beanie, hip head covers, sisters simple sewing service
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
SUPER SUPER!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:28 am
Thanks Sam! Requests are coming in and I’m mailing out the pattern as fast as I can.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I am a breast cancer survivor and I would have loved a hat like that! It wasn’t easy to find a soft, lightweight hat for inside that was that cute. Thankfully, now I have hair! I’d love to get the pattern too so I could make some for my cancer center in Logan.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Congratulations and love to you Jennifer! I’m SO GLAD to hear your success story and inside perspective. (I did my homework, but you would KNOW.) The hats are easy to sew and I’m happy to mail you a pattern with instructions. Just email me your address and I’ll get the package in the mail. Best to you!
March 12th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
can you send me the pattern. I am going through chemo and have lost all my hair. My friend said she will make me some hats Thanks Debbie
March 12th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Right away Debbie. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having to face a battle with cancer. Please send me your mailing address and I’ll get the pattern and instructions sent to you ASAP!
God bless, Liesa
March 20th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I would love to have a copy of this pattern! I have two amazing women in my life that are going through chemo right now and I would love to make several of these for each of them. I’ve made some of the “creative kindness” caps for them, but this pattern is so much cuter!
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and am one of the extremely lucky ones that doesn’t have to go thru chemo. I had a double mastectomy 3.5 weeks ago and am recouping but can’t stop thinking about all of the women that are going thru chemo and how difficult it is for them. It would be really challenging and my heart goes out to them. I would love to make as many hats as possible to help cheer someone up, even a little bit if possible. While I am recouping would be a great time to get started. Please send me the pattern, Iwill get started.
Hugs,
Patty
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Kim I know what you mean about the “creative kindness” caps…and this one really is cuter. (Thanks to my sister being able to copy a Gap hat!) Please email me your mailing address and I’ll get the pattern in the mail ASAP.
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Patty, I’m so sorry to hear about your ordeal and I pray that you’ll be feeling better and better each day. Today I was at the hospital while my cute nephew had a bone marrow transplant. What a mess he’s been through.
Please send me your address and I’ll mail you the pattern. All the woman that helped with the construction of the chemo caps confirmed that the hats were easy to sew. Once you’ve made a couple you’ll be able to crank them out in five minutes. We’ve heard that even men have liked them because they are so SO softy.
Now rest and get better! xo Liesa
March 28th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Please rush me the patern!! I’ll be making them for our local EGA’s Outreach project og caps for a local hospital.
Thank you so much.
Pat
April 17th, 2010 at 6:07 am
I would really appreciate the pattern’s for my mom and our local cancer unit.
You are a Blessing to offer these. Thanks So Much!
April 17th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I’m so happy you’re interested in making these Pat and Bonnie! Please let me know if you have any question once you get going. Best! Liesa
April 30th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
My mother and sister both have alopecia. I was looking for Chemo Caps so that they could prevent sunburn and still look fashionable. These are so cute, I could even wear them in the Operating Room. I would adore having this pattern. You are such a Godsend. Thank you so much for offering these patterns.
May 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
You’re so very welcome Bonitta and I’ve already emailed you the pattern. My sister, Virginia, deserves all the credit for the design. She’s truly a wiz.
I’ll give her a hug from you! Liesa
May 1st, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I would love the pattern. I am organizing a community project for kids and teens. It was decided that we would make chemo totes for the local hospital to hand out. The totes will have activities to do while recieving chemo as well as we would like to include a hat. I have been surfing the web to find patterns for the kids to make hats and came apon your site. Thanks
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
[...] make it even that much more accessible. Detailed sewing pictures can be found on the original post here and shots of the finished products can be found [...]
July 28th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I’d love to have your pattern —–such a great cause!!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Hi Nancy, thanks for asking! In the search box near the top right hand corner type: chemo caps pattern and instructions. You should be able to print everything out on three, or four, sheets. Please send me a message if you’re not able to make it work for you. Happy sewing!
August 11th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Hi could you email me the hat pattern. If I can sew it I would like to donate them to breast cancer patients at my local hospital. Thanks
August 11th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Sounds great Marilyn. Please type: Chemo Caps Pattern and Instructions, in the search box found in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Then, you can print the pattern pieces yourself. With so many requests, I had to figure out an easier way for people to get ahold of the pattern we used for the caps. Please let me know if you have any questions and best of luck to you! Thanks for helping!
August 29th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Could you send me a pattern for the chemo hat and the scarf. I lost my husband 18 months ago to brain cancer. He had his radiation at the Providence Cancer Partnership . I would like to make some of these hats for the cancer patients that need them. I have always been a sewer and have lots of fabrics that just might do for some hats. Thank You.
Marilyn Swigert
September 16th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Hi again, one question, if the scarf is 5 or 6 inches wide what is the length? Thanks, Marilyn
December 12th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Hi I am making some hats to donate to my local homeless shelter. for some reason the hats are coming out “bumpy” or “pointy” along the top where the seams are. Is there a way to keep this from happening so that the hat is smooth on top?
December 13th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Dang! That’s too bad. I wonder if you’re accidentally stretching the fabric a bit too much when you sew those top seams. That cold cause bumps or waves. Points can be minimized if your seams are very narrow and gradually blend at the end rather that just sewing off the edge too quickly. Wish you were here so that I could show you what I mean. Hope those two ideas will be a little helpful. If you look carefully at the pictures you’ll see that our hats also had minimal points on the top corners. Bottom line, you’re doing a great thing and the hats will
provide warmth and comfort regardless of “design details”. Cup half full!
and Merry Christmas~
Liesa
January 1st, 2011 at 9:45 pm
One hint: If you need to see the pics more clearly, click on the pic, then embiggen it by clicking the plus sign and control. This way Liesa can keep it small for the site, but your computer will biggie size it for you.
January 5th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Raise you hand if you love Carolyn.
I love Carolyn.
(no idea what she’s talking about but it sounds legit)
(I know what biggie size means…)
March 9th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
I would like the pattern for the Chemo Hat and Scarf. My daughter is now going through Chemo treatments so would love to make some for her. Then I can make some for others in need of head covers.
March 10th, 2011 at 8:24 am
Oh Christine! I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter.
Type “chemo caps pattern” in the search box and then you’ll be able to print it out for yourself. (let me know if you have any problems with that)
Make sure that the patter FILLS two sheets of paper or your hat will not be large enough. (Some people have said that they needed to enlarge it because of how their printer/computer printed. It’s not hard to do that.) Also, be sure to use very stretchy knit so that the cap is completely comfortable.
You’re not alone in this fight! xo Liesa
March 16th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
very impressive and inspired post. Thank you for sharing your insight ideas and advice. Keep up the good work.
July 12th, 2011 at 7:23 am
i am an oncology nurse and would like the pattern to help comfort my friends
July 14th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
You’re more than welcome to use my pattern Mary. In the search field box in the top right hand corner type, “chemo caps pattern” and then print out what you need. Depending on your computer/printer, you may need to enlarge the pattern. It should totally FILL two sheets of paper. Let me know if that works for you.
October 18th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Those are too cute. I start chemo on Monday, I wish someone in my vacinity were making them. They are adorable.