Pattern: Chemo Cap and Matching Scarf

This chemo cap and matching scarf are made out of ultra-soft alpaca and merino yarn. Any worsted-weight yarn can be used, but make sure you choose something soft and comfy. For warmer climates, a soft cotton or cotton-wool blend would be more comfortable than the alpaca. The hat is knitted in the round from the brim up on circular needles, changing to double-pointed needles for the crown. The scarf is knitted back and forth. The flower pin is made separately and can be worn as a brooch or as an accent on the cap or scarf.

Materials

Approx 550 yards of worsted weight yarn.

I used 5 balls of Suri Merino from Plymouth yarn (55% suri alpaca, 45% extra fine merino wool), Color 5192

To make each separate item, you will need:

Scarf: 3 balls, size 7 needles

Hat: 2 balls, size 7 circular needle 16-inches long and a set of 4 or 5 size 7 double-pointed needles

Flower pin: 1 ball, size 7 needles, pinback

Gauge

22 sts = 4 inches over 2×2 checks

Size

Hat: 18 inch circumference, fits head sizes up to 23 inches

Scarf: 7 inches wide x 46 inches long

Flower pin: 2 1/2 inches

Pattern Stitches

2×2 Ribbing

Row 1: (K2, p2) for entire round or row.

Repeat row 1 for pattern.

2×2 rib chart

2×2 Checks

Row 1 : (K2, p2), repeat across entire round or row.

Rows 2 and 4: Knit the knits and purl the purls.

Row 3: (P2, k2), repeat across entire round or row.

Repeat rows 1 through 4 for pattern.

2×2 check chart

Chemo Cap Instructions

With circular needle, loosely cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in 2×2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Work in 2×2 checks for 4 inches, or desired length to crown.

Work in 2×2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Crown

Note: change to double-pointed needles when the stitches no longer fit comfortably on the circular needle.

Decrease round 1: (K2, p2tog) around–72 sts.

Your ribbing is now k2, p1. Continue in pattern, knitting the knits and purling the purls, for 1 inch.

Decrease round 2: (K2tog, p1) around–48 sts.

Your ribbing is now k1, p1. Continue in pattern, knitting the knitts and purling the purls, for 1 inch.

Decrease round 3: K1, (k2tog) to last stitch, remove marker, k2tog–24 sts.

K2tog until 12 sts remain.

Cut yarn and draw tail through remaining stitches to fasten off. Weave in ends.

Scarf Instructions

Note: The first and last stitch of every row is knitted to create a neat garter-stitch edge.

Loosely cast on 40 sts.

Row 1: K1 (selvedge stitch), place marker, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, place marker, k1 (selvedge stitch).

Continue working 2×2 rib with garter-stitch edge stitch for 1 inch, slipping the markers when you come to them.

Change to 2×2 checks between edge stitches and work even for 11 inches.

Change to 2×2 rib between edge stitches and work even for 22 inches.

Change to 2×2 checks between edge stitches and work even for 11 inches.

Change to 2×2 rib between edge stitches and work even for 1 inch.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

Flower Pin Instructions

Cast on 12 stitches.

Row 1: Knit into the front and back of each stitch–24 stitches.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Knit into the front and back of each stitch–48 stitches.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: Knit into the front and back of each stitch–96 stitches.

Row 6: Purl.

Bind off loosely. Form flower into a spiral shape with your fingers and use the yarn tails to sew the center of the flower together and to attach the pinback. Weave in ends.