Chemo caps for Elizabeth?

[knitter4democracy]

I was just wondering if anyone else was going to make a chemo cap for Elizabeth. Wouldn't it be nice if we could help make sure that she was comfy through another horrible ordeal of chemo?

[eridani]

1. Good--except she probably won't need more than a few

Maybe donating some of the surplus in her name?

[Virginian]

17. We made some sun hats for a friend with cancer.

Actually my dear Mother made them for her. I just gave her the idea and bought the supplies.

The brim was separate and stayed on with elastic.
The crown of the hat was a kerchef that matched the brim.

Sandy, my friend, wore the kerchef around the house instead of an itchy wig and put on the brim for extra protection from the sun when she went out.

I wish I could remember where that pattern was.

After Sandy passed, her brother wanted to give back the hats, but we told him to donate them to the National Cancer Society.

[photogirl12]

2. That is a great idea

but I am afraid that she will get overwhelmed with them (there are a lot of knitters on this board alone). Maybe we could find out what cancer organization she supports and donate them there.

Just a thought...

[knitter4democracy]

3. I know last time that we sent them to the campaign office.

From what I remember, they sent them to the hospital where she was getting treatment, and we all hoped she went through them first, looking for ones she wanted to keep. :)

There's no way I'd send mine to the house or anything like that. Staff would need to help her with it all, since she has more pressing matters.

Now, if only the hat I started last night would be good enough. *sigh* It's a silk/wool blend, but it felt a bit scratchy under my chin last night. I hope it softens up in the wash. If not, I'll keep it as a hat or give it to my mom and start another one. Humph.

[photogirl12]

4. What yarn

do you reccomend using for this? Does it need to be all natural? Is there a certain pattern?

[knitter4democracy]

6. There are various patterns around.

Anything really, really soft. Rowan Calmer, Caron Simply Soft (some batches of that are softer than others, I've found), and anything soft like that.

Most patterns are regular hats with some short rows in the back to make it longer in the back or are just plain longer to cover the entire hairline. From what MIL said, it feels like the skin's been burned, so it needs to be really soft.

[photogirl12]

8. Phew!

I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to use acrylic. I have a mountain of the Caron Simply Soft in 1lb Mill End bags. I think I paid something like $3.99 per pound for them. A.C. Moore had them a while back. I think they had some again recently...

[knitter4democracy]

9. If it's the softer one, it's perfect!

I've had people say that they like that one--washable (they put cream on their scalps at night and then need to wash the caps) and soft are hugely important.

[photogirl12]

10. Yuppers!

It is the soft one. I just walked over to the A.C. Moore (very dangerous, it is in walking distance of my store) and they still had the Caron Simply Soft in the 1lb bags for 3.99 (you have to stick your finger in the bag's vents to feel if it is the soft stuff or not). I got some pale pink and lavender. I felt that the pink was fitting for breast cancer, and the purple signifies cancer survivor.

[knitter4democracy]

11. Perfect!

Oh, and that stuff washes up so nicely and so soft. It's absolutely perfect!

[photogirl12]

12. One question...

Where do I send them when I am done?

[knitter4democracy]

13. I am planning on sending mine to the campaign office.

I did that last time, and they got it.

[photogirl12]

14. OK

Will do. Wasn't sure if there was one person collecting all of them or if we were mailing them individually.

[Longhorn]

5. Here are some knit and crochet patterns.

http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/patterns.htm

I'm sure you already have a favorite pattern or two, k4d, and maybe you could share? In the meantime, I did a search and found these.

I think this is a great idea and I'd like to get started! Thanks! :hi:

[knitter4democracy]

7. I just do a regular one with some short rows added on.

I do 18-20" worth of stitches, join, and do up a loose band (I did moss stitch on this one). After switching to st.st., I do a couple of short rows on the back half to help it shape around the back of the head better. Then, I k around until it's 5" long and start the decreases after that. As for those, I do whatever I feel like at the time, so it's not really set. I tend to like star shapes for the top of the hat.

That's a great, great website! I've used ideas from there many times. Thanks for finding and posting it!

[knitter4democracy]

15. Breaking news: She said she won't be losing her hair!

Morgana LaFey said that's what she heard, so I'll be sending my cap to the local cancer center for anyone who wants it.

I suppose we all could do shawls, like the prayer shawl pattern. She is probably doing radiation, which makes people cold.

[photogirl12]

16. Thanx for posting

I had to cease production on the chemo caps and increase production on the prayer shawls. Needed to make 2 for my church. I was starting to feel guilty that I had set down the chemo caps!

[Virginian]

18. Donate the items in her name to the local cancer center. n/t