Subversive Knitting

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Pattern: Chemo Cap and Matching Scarf

This chemo cap and matching scarf are made out of ultra-soft alpaca and merino yarn. Any worsted-weight yarn can be used, but make sure you choose something soft and comfy. For warmer climates, a soft cotton or cotton-wool blend would be more comfortable than the alpaca. The hat is knitted in the round from the brim up on circular needles, changing to double-pointed needles for the crown. The scarf is knitted back and forth. The flower pin is made separately and can be worn as a brooch or as an accent on the cap or scarf.

Materials

Approx 550 yards of worsted weight yarn.

I used 5 balls of Suri Merino from Plymouth yarn (55% suri alpaca, 45% extra fine merino wool), Color 5192

To make each separate item, you will need:

Scarf: 3 balls, size 7 needles

Hat: 2 balls, size 7 circular needle 16-inches long and a set of 4 or 5 size 7 double-pointed needles

Flower pin: 1 ball, size 7 needles, pinback

Gauge

22 sts = 4 inches over 2x2 checks

Size

Hat: 18 inch circumference, fits head sizes up to 23 inches

Scarf: 7 inches wide x 46 inches long

Flower pin: 2 1/2 inches

Pattern Stitches

2x2 Ribbing

Row 1: (K2, p2) for entire round or row.

Repeat row 1 for pattern.

2x2 Checks

Row 1 : (K2, p2), repeat across entire round or row.

Rows 2 and 4: Knit the knits and purl the purls.

Row 3: (P2, k2), repeat across entire round or row.

Repeat rows 1 through 4 for pattern.

Chemo Cap Instructions

With circular needle, loosely cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in 2x2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Work in 2x2 checks for 4 inches, or desired length to crown.

Work in 2x2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Crown

Note: change to double-pointed needles when the stitches no longer fit comfortably on the circular needle.

Decrease round 1: (K2, p2tog) around--72 sts.

Your ribbing is now k2, p1. Continue in pattern, knitting the knits and purling the purls, for 1 inch.

Decrease round 2: (K2tog, p1) around--48 sts.

Your ribbing is now k1, p1. Continue in pattern, knitting the knitts and purling the purls, for 1 inch.

Decrease round 3: K1, (k2tog) to last stitch, remove marker, k2tog--24 sts.

K2tog until 12 sts remain.

Cut yarn and draw tail through remaining stitches to fasten off. Weave in ends.

Scarf Instructions

Note: The first and last stitch of every row is knitted to create a neat garter-stitch edge.

Loosely cast on 40 sts.

Row 1: K1 (selvedge stitch), place marker, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, place marker, k1 (selvedge stitch).

Continue working 2x2 rib with garter-stitch edge stitch for 1 inch, slipping the markers when you come to them.

Change to 2x2 checks between edge stitches and work even for 11 inches.

Change to 2x2 rib between edge stitches and work even for 22 inches.

Change to 2x2 checks between edge stitches and work even for 11 inches.

Change to 2x2 rib between edge stitches and work even for 1 inch.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

Flower Pin Instructions

Cast on 12 stitches.

Row 1: Knit into the front and back of each stitch--24 stitches.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Knit into the front and back of each stitch--48 stitches.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: Knit into the front and back of each stitch--96 stitches.

Row 6: Purl.

Bind off loosely. Form flower into a spiral shape with your fingers and use the yarn tails to sew the center of the flower together and to attach the pinback. Weave in ends.