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 includes instructions for six sizes: Preemie, Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen, and Adult. Be sure to check the sizing chart for head measurements.

• The stitch counts and instructions for each size are written in parentheses and marked with different colors. Just follow the color that matches your size. Preemie, Infant, Toddler, Child, Teen, and Adult. Color codes are available in the premium version only.
• The number at the beginning of each row shows the row count for that size.
• The number at the end of each row shows the stitch count for that size.

Tips for a Perfect Fit:

After finishing the crown, measure the diameter and compare it to the pattern sizing chart.

• If your crown is smaller: Don’t add rows – go up a hook size instead. Recheck until it matches the pattern measurement.
• If your crown is larger: Don’t remove rows – go down a hook size instead. Recheck until it matches the pattern measurement.
• When working HDC in the 3rd loop in continuous rounds, the hat may shrink a bit. Keep your tension even throughout.

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

Rnd 1: (Same for all sizes) Make a magic circle, CH1 (doesn’t count as a ST), 6 SC in the circle (place a stitch marker in the 1^st SC, move marker up each round. Work in continuous rounds — do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 SC in each ST around. (12 SC). Close the magic ring by pulling the tail tight. Secure with a couple of knots.

Rnd 3: *2 SC in next ST, 1 SC in next ST,* rep *to* around. (18 SC)

Rnd 4:*2 SC in next ST, SC in next  2 STs,* rep *to* around. (24 SC)

Rnd 5: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 3 ST,* rep *to* around. (30 SC)

Rnd 6: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 4 ST,* rep *to* around. (36 SC). Stop here for the Preemie size.

Rnd 7: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 5 ST,* rep *to* around. (42 SC).

Rnd 8: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 6 ST,* rep *to* around. (48 SC). Stop here for “infant” size.

Rnd 9: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 7 ST,* rep *to* around. (54 SC)

Rnd 10 : *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 8 ST,* rep *to* around. (60 SC). Stop here for “toddler” size.

Rnd 11: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 9 ST,* rep *to* around. (66 SC). Stop here for “child” size.

Rnd 12: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 10 ST,* rep *to* around. (72 SC). Stop here for “teen” size.

Rnd 13: *2 SC in next ST, SC in next 11 ST,* rep *to* around. (78 SC). Stop here for “adult” size.

Step 2- Crochet the hat

Crochet in continuous rounds.

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

Rnd 8 (10,12,13,14,15): HDC in the 3^rd loop of each ST around.

Rnd 9 (11,13,14, 15, 16) to 14 (19,24,26,28,30): Repeat Rnd 8 (10,12,13, 14,15)

Rnd 15 (20,25,27,29,31) (border): *(SC, CH 2, SC) in next ST, skip next ST,* rep *to* around ending with  SL ST into the 1^st ST. Fasten off.

Step 3- Crochet the flower

Leave about 6” long tail (to attach the flower later), make a magic ring, CH1.

Rnd 1: 10 HDC in the circle, join with a SL ST into the 1^st ST. Close the magic ring by pulling the long tail. Secure with a few knots. Do not cut the long tail.

Rnd 2: (CH4, 1TR, CH4) in same ST, *(SL ST in next ST, CH4, 1TR, CH4, SL ST) in next ST,* rep *to* in each ST around. You should have 10 petals. Fasten off.

Attach the flower

Use a tapestry needle and the long tail to sew the flower to the right side of the hat, stitching only through the center. Fasten off. Weave in all ends, and you are all done!

I’d love to see your progress photos and finished hats! So please tag me @thecrochetvillage and use #CrochetCancerChallenge so we can all cheer each other on.

Sharing your work helps spread the word and inspires others to join in and make a difference – the more hands creating comfort, the better!💗