Free Crochet Chemo Hat Pattern – Soft and Comfy

This free crochet chemo hat pattern is easy to make and creates super soft, seamless, and comfortable beanies. The pattern comes in six sizes, from preemie to adult, and is designed to work up quickly. It uses gentle, skin-friendly yarn to provide warmth, comfort, and a little extra care during treatment—perfect for donating to someone going through treatment or to your local cancer center.

I’m so excited to share my Soft Heart Beanie pattern as part of the 2025 Crochet Cancer Challenge, hosted by Christine at Sweet Potato 3!

This event is such a beautiful way for crocheters to give back and support those going through cancer treatment, and I’m truly honored to participate.

I designed this beanie in memory of my cousin Nadia, who bravely fought breast cancer at just 45. During her treatment, she received so many beautiful handmade chemo beanies from kind-hearted strangers—and I know how much those hats lifted her spirits during some of her toughest days. For this design, I chose soft pink yarn in her honor, as a tribute to breast cancer awareness. 💕

About The Soft Heart Chemo Hat Pattern

Recommended Yarn

When I set out to design this hat, I wanted it to feel like a warm hug—something that could bring a little comfort and reassurance to anyone wearing it. I chose Loops & Threads Skinny Chenille because it’s unbelievably soft, light, and gentle on the skin. It was also one of Nadia’s favorite yarns for hats, which made using it even more special to me.

Choosing the right yarn is really important for chemo hats. Hair loss can leave the scalp tender and sensitive, so using something soft, lightweight, and gentle makes all the difference. For more helpful tips on choosing the right yarn, check out Sweet Potato 3’s blog post about the best yarn choices for chemo hats.

Construction

The Soft Heart Beanie is crocheted seamlessly in continuous rounds from the top down, eliminating a bulky seam that can irritate delicate skin. I used simple basic stitches that are beginner-friendly and easy to work up quickly, so you can whip up several hats in no time at all.

The design is intentionally simple and not lacy to keep the head warm, with stitches that aren’t too bulky for comfort. I used variegated yarn to add a pop of color and finished it with a sweet decorative flower to make it extra special.

Free Crochet Chemo Cap Pattern: Start Here

Recommended Yarn: 🧶Loops & Threads Skinny Chenille, #4 worsted weight yarn. Color shown: Pink Stripe

Yarn Substitution: These yarns are a close match, but you should always swatch.

• Yarnart Dolce Baby Yarn
• Caron Simply Soft Yarn
• Caron Colorama Halo Cake Caron

Yardage: Depends on the size. I used: 105 yds (for a Teen size)

Crochet Hook: (H) 5 mm or a needed hook to meet the gauge.

Gauge: 4” square = 13 rows and 12 ST (HDC in the 3^rd loop)

Other Materials

1. Tag: Faux leather tags
2. Tapestry needle.

Abbreviations

• CH: Chain
• ST: Stitch
• SL ST: Slip stitch
• SC: Single crochet
• HDC: Half double crochet
• SP: Space
• YO: Yarn over
• Rep: Repeat

Pattern notes

• This pattern is written in U.S terms.
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• The suggested yarn is a thin worsted-weight yarn. Check your gauge and follow the sizing instructions for the best fit.
• The hat is worked in continuous rounds from the top down. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round and move it up as you go.

Special Stitch

Half double crochet in the 3rd loop: YO. Instead of inserting the hook into the top two loops of the ST, look behind the ST. The 3^rd loop is located just below the top two loops on the back side of the ST. Insert your hook into the 3^rd loop from front to back. YO again and pull through the 3^rd loop. YO and pull through all 3 loops to complete the HDC. Watch here.

Size and measurements

• The pattern is written for four sizes: Preemie, Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen, and Adult.
• The stitch counts and instructions for each size are written in parentheses and color-coded (availble in premium verion only). Simply follow the color that matches your size, in this order: (Preemie, Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen, and Adult)
• The numbers at the end of the rows are the stitch count for that row.
• The numbers at the beginning of the rows are the stitch count for that row.

Tips: After finishing the crown, measure its diameter and compare it to the sizing chart.

• Smaller than the pattern? Don’t add a row — go up a hook size and measure again.
• Larger than the pattern? Go down a hook size and measure again.
• When working HDC in the 3rd loop in continuous rounds, the hat may shrink a bit. Keep your tension even throughout.

Click here for the sizing chart

Age	Head Circumference	Crown’s diameter	Hat Height
Preemie	10”- 15”	3 ¾”	4 ½”
Infant	15”- 17”	4 ¼”	5 ½”
Toddler	17”- 19”	5.5”	7”
Child	19”- 21”	6”	7 ½”
Teen	21”- 23”	6 ¾”	8”
Adult	23”- 24″	7 ¼”	8 ½”

Soft Heart Beanie Crochet Pattern

This free crochet hat pattern has everything you need to make your own Soft Heart Beanie! In this post, you’ll find the full list of materials and step-by-step instructions to create this soft top-down hat in six sizes from preemie to adult.

If you’d prefer a printable, ad-free PDF version of this crochet beanie pattern, you can grab a copy for a small fee in any of my shops—links are below.

Step 1- Crochet the crown

Work in continuous rounds — do not join. Place a stitch marker in the first ST of each round and move it up as you go.

Rnd 1 — All Sizes: Make a magic circle. CH 1 (does not count as a ST), then work 6 SC into the circle.

(6 SC). Close the magic ring by pulling the tail tight, and secure it with a couple of knots

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each ST around. (12 SC).

Rnd 3: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next ST; repeat from * around. (18 SC)

Rnd 4: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 2 STS; repeat from * around. (24 SC)

Rnd 5: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 3 STS; repeat from * around. (30 SC)

Rnd 6: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 4 STS; repeat from * around. (36 SC)

Stop here for the Preemie size. Your crown should measure about 3.50″ across.

Rnd 7: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 5 STS; repeat from * around. (42 SC)

Rnd 8: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 6 STS; repeat from * around. (48 SC)

Stop here for the Infant size. Your crown should measure about 4.25″ across.

Rnd 9: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 7 STS; repeat from * around. (54 SC)

Rnd 10: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 8 STS; repeat from * around. (60 SC)

Stop here for the Toddler size. size. Your crown should measure about 5.50″ across

Rnd 11: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 9 STS; repeat from * around. (66 SC)

Stop here for the Child size. Your crown should measure about 6″ across.

Rnd 12: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 10 STS; repeat from * around. (72 SC)

Stop here for the Teen size. Your crown should measure about 6.75″ across.

Rnd 13: *2 SC in the next ST, SC in the next 11 STS; repeat from * around. (78 SC)

Stop here for the Adult size. Your crown should measure about 7.25″ across.

Note: For the best fit, measure your crown and compare it to the diameter listed for your size. If it matches, continue to the sides of the hat. If your crown is smaller, go up a hook size and measure again. If it is larger, go down a hook size and measure again. Do not add or remove rounds in the crown. Doing so changes the stitch count and will affect the finished size.

Step 2 — Crochet the sides

Continue working in continuous rounds—do not join. Move the stitch marker up at the beginning of each round.

Numbers are listed in this order: Preemie (Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult).

Rnd 7 (9, 11,12,13,14): HDC in each ST around. [36 (48, 60, 66,72,78) HDC]

Rnd 8 (10,12,13,14,15): HDC in the 3rd loop of each ST around. . [36 (48, 60, 66,72,78) HDC]

Rnds 9–14 (11–19, 13–24, 14–26, 15–28, 16–30): Repeat Rnd 8 (10,12,13, 14,15). [36 (48, 60, 66,72,78) HDC]

Rnd 15 (20,25,27,29,31): The border)*(SC, CH 2, SC) in the next ST, skip the next ST; repeat from * around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. Fasten off. [18 (24, 30, 33, 36, 39) groups]

Step 3 — Crochet the Flower

Leave a 6″ tail for attaching the flower. Make a magic circle and CH 1.

Rnd 1: Work 10 HDC into the circle. Join with a SL ST to the first HDC. (10 HDC)

Pull the long tail tightly to close the magic circle and secure it with a few knots. Do not cut the tail.

Rnd 2: CH 4, TR in the same ST, CH 4, and SL ST in the same ST to make the first petal. *(SL ST, CH 4, TR, CH 4, SL ST) in the next ST; repeat from * around. Join with a SL ST at the base of the first petal. (10 petals)

Fasten off.

Attach the Flower

Using a tapestry needle and the long starting tail, sew the flower to the right side of the hat, stitching through the center of the flower only. Secure the tail and weave in all ends.

Your hat is complete!