Lazy Day Beret: Chemo Cap Crochet Pattern
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This beret crochet pattern was designed with a very special person in mind. Although intended as a “chemo cap”, it is super chic for everyday wear as well!
Bonus: it works up super fast! If you, too, have a loved one undergoing cancer treatments, this hat is a perfect, warm and loving gesture they are sure to find useful.
Lazy Day Beret (Chemo Cap)
For this lazy Day Beret, we are using the Forked Half Double Crochet (fkhdc) stitch, with one modification: it’s not technically forked. That being said, it’s easier than it sounds, and I have a description of this stitch below. If you can do the half double crochet, you can crochet this hat. Because we are essentially crocheting a double half double crochet in each stitch, this beret is thicker than average, providing extra protection against the chill of winter.
Note that if you want to try this hat using regular ol’ Half Double Crochet instead, that should technically work. You would use less yarn but be warned that the sizing may be a bit off. Measure after row 4 as indicated to test sizing.
Materials:
Red Heart Amore yarn (4/Medium weight/Aran – 100% Polyester)
– approx. 200 yards
Midnight colorway pictured
Restful colorway pictured
Crochet hook in size H/5mm
Gauge:
Make sure to measure after round 4. If it is too small, go up a hook size. If it is too large, go down a hook size.
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written in US terms.
Place first stitch of each round in same as join.
Work stitches in between the stitches from the previous row instead of into the top.
Forked Half Double Crochet (Fkhdc) = Yo, insert hook into designated space, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull up a loop in SAME space (5 loops on hook). Yo pull through 3 loops, yo pull through last 3 loops on hook.
Forked Half Double Crochet Decrease (Fkhdc2tog) = Yo, insert hook into designated space, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull up a loop in NEXT space (5 loops on hook). Yo pull through 3 loops, yo pull through last 3 loops on hook.
Beret Crochet Pattern:
Round 1: Magic Circle, ch-1, fkhdc 10x in circle. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (10)
Round 2: Ch-1, 2fkhdc in each st around Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (20)
Round 3: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (30)
Round 4: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 2 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (40)
*should measure ~ 3.75″ diameter
Round 5: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 3 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (50)
Round 6: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 4 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (60)
Round 7: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 5 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (70)
Round 8: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 6 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (80)
Round 9: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 7 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (90)
Round 10: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 8 sts, 2fkhdc in next * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (100)
Rounds 11 – 12: Ch-1, fkhdc in each st around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (100)
*if you would like the hat more slouchy, add more rows here. Add just two more rows for a little more slouch, add four or more for super slouch.
Row 13: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 8 sts, fkhdc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (90)
Row 14: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 7 sts, fkhdc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (80)
Row 15: Ch-1, * fkhdc in next 6 sts, fkhdc2tog * repeat between * * around. Join to top of first fkhdc with sl st. (70)
Row 16: Ch-1, sc in each st around. Do not join, work in a spiral for remainder of pattern. (70)
Rows 17 – 21 (or until you run out of yarn): sc in blo of each st around. (70)
Sl sl in next 3 sts and weave in all ends.
By slip stitching in the last three stitches, your ending point is less obvious. 😉 I hope you enjoyed this free beret pattern. If you or someone you love is undergoing cancer treatments, I hope this simple project brings you (and them) a smile.
More free patterns:
Texting Gloves Free Crochet Pattern (child, adult small, adult large)
The Bee’s Knees Face Cloth: Small Face Cloth Free Crochet Pattern
Four-Hour Fall Sweater Free Crochet Pattern