Best choice yarn for a chemo hat?

[Rennagayle]

I want to knit a chemo hat for an online friend with cancer who just lost her hair. I don't have any appropriate yarn, so I'll have to order something. I can't afford it to be terribly expensive, but I do want to find something really soft that will wear well. I even thought of looking on eBay, but since my experience with good woolen yarns is limited, not having a yarn shop nearby, I'm at a loss as to what to order.

edit to add: She lives in AZ, so I wouldn't want it to be too bulky or warm, I guess. Then again, I guess even AZ gets pretty cool in the evenings. I'm not really sure.


Any suggestions? :thinking:

[Julie]

My favorite chemo cap yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino/Rowan Classic Cashsoft (they have the same fiber content). Very soft and comfy, and machine washable. I've also made a few out of GGH Bali, which might be better for a warmer climate since it's cotton/acrylic. The person I made them for loved them to pieces -- she asked me to make more of them. :D I think it's especially nice because you can make a hat from one ball, and it somes in sooo many colors.

[Rennagayle]

Thanks, Julie. :D

Do you have a favorite pattern? :thinking:

[Jan in CA]

I've read that any yarn that is very soft is best, not wool or scratchy yarns. Soft cottons like Knitpicks shine, Bernat's Cottontots and the others suggested are a good place to start.

Here's a couple sites that have chemo hats, but any soft hat free of seams should work.

Chemocaps
Head Huggers

[Virtuella]

I knitted some chemocaps for myself.. and I used a soft yarn, 50 % cotton and 50 % acryl. Very nice. I used the Odessa pattern from Grumperina. I also knitted the Shedir hat from Knitty, and used the yarn in the pattern. I love that cap too.
I friend gave me a Odessa knitted with silcalpaca, it was quite scratchy before I washed it. Afterwards soft as the softest thing!

I wish your friend good luck!

One of mine Odessas

Pattern Odessa: www.magknits.com/feb06/patterns/odessa.htm

My Shedir: http://virtuella.blogdrive.com/archive/488.html
Pattern Shedir: http://www.knitty.com/issuefall04/knittyF04surp.pdf

[Rennagayle]

Thank you so much, ladies, for your helpful responses.

A good friend of mine told me that most chemo patients cannot stand to have anything on their heads, so I really wanted to be sure that I use the softest, most appropriate, yarn for the project.

Virtuella, your Odessa is positively beautiful.

Both the Odessa and the Shedir patterns were the ones I'd found to like the appearance of most, myself. :D

[Limey]

Hi Renna

Sorry I don't have info on the softest wool to get in America but I wondered if your friend knew about this site http://www.hatswithhair.com/ContactUs.aspx

They are a very friendly company, based in Tampa, and will do their best to help.

All Best Wishes

Limey

[Rennagayle]

Thank you for sharing that info, Limey!

[kaidyddd]

My LYS had some chemo hats displayed that were made from Rowan Calmer. They were very soft.