When I realized that I needed some lightweight hats for both my mom after completing her radiation treatments and a good friend of mine, who needed a biopsy on some spots on her brain, I decided to try using a sock yarn in hopes that it wouldn't be too hot as temperatures start warming. I was really pleased with the end result so I decided to share the pattern in hopes that it might be able to help others going through the same thing.
Materials:
Sock weight yarn - one skein
Size E - 3.5 mm hook
Yarn needle
Button (if desired)
Gauge:
21 stitches = 5 inches
Make a magic ring
Row 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), 11 dc in ring, sl st in top of ch 3 to close - (12 dc)
Row 2: ch 3, dc in first sp below, (2dc in next sp, dc in next sp) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (18 dc)
Row 3: ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (24 dc)
Row 4: ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (30 dc)
Row 5: ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, sl st to close - (36 dc)Row 6: ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 5 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (42 dc)
Row 7: ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc) 5 times, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to close - (48 dc)
Row 8: ch 3, dc in next 7 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 7 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (54 dc)
Row 9: ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 8 dc) 5 times, dc in next 3 dc, sl st to close - (60 dc)
Row 10: ch 3, dc in next 9 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 9 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (66 dc)Row 11: ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 10 dc) 5 times, dc in next 4 dc, sl st to close - (72 dc)
Row 12: ch 3, dc in next 11 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 11 dc) 5 times, dc in same sp as beginning ch, sl st to close - (78 dc)
Row 13: ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 12 dc) 5 times, dc in next 5 dc, sl st to close - (84 dc)
Row 14: ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, (ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc) 20 times, ch 1, sl st to close - (21 ch 1 spaces)
Row 15: sl st over to first sp, ch 3, 2 dc in sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp) 20 times, sl st to close
Rows 16-21: repeat row 15
Row 22: sl st into 3rd dc in first 3 dc cluster, ch 3, 2 dc in sp, dc in next dc, skip next 4 dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in sp, dc in next dc, skip next 4 dc) 20 times, sl st to close - (84 dc)
Row 23: ch 3, dc in each sp between dc around, sl st to close - (84 dc)
Repeat row 23 until hat measures 7 1/2 inches from top to bottom band.
I added a small, single layer flower and a button for detail. You could choose to leave it plain and add hair clips, bows, pins, etc.
I wanted my hat to be light and airy; however, if you are making this for someone with very little to no hair, there are a few things to consider. First, there are holes created in this pattern that might show scalp through. Also with some cancer treatments, it is suggested to avoid sun exposure. If your hat is for someone that falls under these conditions, you can choose to forego the shell patterned part and double crochet the whole hat. Follow the increases at the beginning of the pattern then simply continue with dc at row 14. This will create a tighter pattern in the hat allowing less sunlight through and make scalps less visible.
Enjoy!!!
