Chemo Cap- How to measure?

How-to Questions
1

My husband’s grandmother has cancer and is going through chemo. Her hair is already falling out and I want to make her a chemo cap. I found this patternon Lionbrand. I have never knitted in the round before so I would be using the pattern for straight needles. The measurements are 13 or 16 inches (circumference). That just seems really small in my opinion. I was wondering if anyone could please tell me how to know if that will be big enough or not. I guess I need to know how to measure for one. Thanks so much. I am sort of new to knitting so I need lots of help. LOL :wink:

2

It says it’s very stretchy. But 16 inches for the cast on doesn’t seem like enough. Most adult heads are at least 20" around when you make a regular hat. Maybe this isn’t meant to go all the way down to the ears…?

Also, with the fun fur, it would be hard to see the stitches to sew it up if you make the straight needle version. There’s a lot more chemo cap patterns - try this site www.headhuggers.org/patterns/patterns.htm

3

I knitted a bunch of these when I went thru chemo and LOVED them, but they stretch like crazy. I’d use the 13" for a small person or teenager and the 16" for a regular adult. You can pull them down to cover your ears, but don’t have to so they’re flexible. But if you haven’t knitted with fun fur it is a challenge

And you get lots and lots of compliments —

4

I’ve made LOADS of the chemo caps based on the Lion Brand pattern. Always use the large pattern for adults. The microfiber yarn makes them VERY STRETCHY! Remember also that we are usually measuring our heads WITH HAIR. The 16" is perfectly fine and comfortable for those without. Don’t pull the stitches too tight. Knit easy.

If you are planning on making a number of them I would definitely invest in size 13 DPNS and do them on those. It makes the decreasing and finishing off of the cap so much easier. I’ve also done them on straight needles, but it can be tricky to do the mattress stitch right in order to sew them up because of the fun fur.

Also, always buy 2 of the fun fur skeins for each cap. They seem to vary in amount from color to color and I wouldn’t want you to run out.

Good luck with the caps and good luck and much love to Grandma.