Updated November 9, 2022 – Challenge is Officially Closed
Every year I am amazed at the dedication of our crochet community as they come together and crochet hats for those battling cancer. I started this challenge 10 years ago and it has become a stable in my business that is so rewarding.
During the entire month of October, I wake up and see pictures of hats made by you to donate. It warms my heart and energizes me to continue. Towards the end of the month I see stacks and stacks of hats being donated and comments about how amazing it was to deliver them to local Cancer Centers. To all of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am proud to announce that during the month of October 2022, our crochet community pledged to make 37,750 hats. You are making a difference and I am proud to play a small part.
Making a Difference One Hat at a time
Fall has always been one of my favorite times of year. It isn’t because of the crisp air, the cool temperatures and the changing colors in our beautiful mountains. Although that is amazing, the one thing that I love is seeing our amazing crochet community come together to make a difference by participating in the Crochet Cancer Challenge.
This is my 10th year hosting the Crochet Cancer Challenge. I am inspired each year to continue the challenge and I think as you follow, you will be too. I began the challenge in 2013 when I lost my dear Uncle Jeff to cancer, and I felt a calling to do something in honor of him.
what is the crochet Cancer Challenge
The Cancer Challenge is a crochet charity event that lasts the entire month of October. Almost every day of the month (Monday – Saturday) a new crochet pattern will be featured. In this feature the designer will release a new hat pattern. The pattern has been designed in honor of someone they know who has battled cancer or to help bring awareness to a specific type of cancer.
Their hat design will be FREE for 24 hours in EXCHANGE for a pledge. By downloading the pattern for free you are taking a pledge to make a minimum of one hat from that pattern to donate. The donation can be given to someone you know who is battling cancer, or to a cancer center.
Over the last 10 years, the Crochet Cancer Challenge has grown. It is a charity that is personal and touches so many crocheters and so many of us designers. The time and efforts put into this event by the crocheters donating hats is amazing. The time and talents of each designer is greatly appreciated and I’d like to personally thank them for participating.
Each hat design isn’t just a new design. When the designer signed up to participate, they were asked to make the hat to help bring awareness to a specific cancer. Take a minute to read about the hat, the design, the person or cancer it was designed for and then take a minute to thank them for sharing their design.
Help Us Share the challenge
To continue to grow and reach more people, I ask for your help in spreading the word and encouraging your crochet friends to join. A few ways you can help are to:
- Share the challenge on social media
- Tag your crochet buddies and challenge them to join as well
- Share your finished hats you have made, let us know where you are donating them or who you gave them too.
- Use the hashtag #crochetcancerchallenge so I can see your contribution.
The more people that see our challenge the more it will grow and the more we can touch others in a positive way.
Daily Crochet Cancer Challenge Features
Every day come to view this blog post, it will be updated with the new featured designer’s crochet hat pattern. All you have to do is go to their website, take a minute to read their post, learn the significant meaning behind their design and reflect on that as you make a hat from their pattern.
Just a reminder, each design is only available for 24 hours only. If you miss a pattern, don’t worry, there will be plenty of others available. To get the pattern for free you will need to use the code “ChemoHat22“. Look for this button in their blog post:
Do you have more questions about the Crochet Cancer Challenge? Scroll to the bottom of this post for more informative links.
Add a Tag to your donation
It’s fun to add something personal to your hats that you plan to donate. These tags can be printed then punch a hole in the top and tie them to your completed hats. The tag has a place for you to write down the size of the hat to help patients pick them out as well as a spot to write down your name as the maker.
You can also add a note on the back of your tag. You can write that you were thinking of them, said a prayer for them, their family and medical staff as you crocheted their hat. It’s these personal touches that can make a generous gift even more personal.
Featured Hat Designs
Hooked for Life
The Hooked for Life Hat is a very fun and unique hat this year featuring a geometric pattern. The hat is made in burgundy to represent multiple types of cancers.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good for 24 hours and will expire 10/31/22.
Above the Cloud Crochet
The Talisman Beanie by Above the Cloud Crochet is made in purple to show support for those battling pancreatic cancer.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the rest of October, expires 10/31/22.
Blue Star Crochet
The Marta Beanie by Blue Star Crochet is made in a deep teal cover to show support for those battling ovarian cancer.
Yarn Used: Nako Mona Lisa / aran or worsted weight
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the rest of October, expires 10/31/22.
Sweet Potato 3
The Helping Hands Beanie is made in plum and lavender to bring awareness to caretakers of cancer patients.
Yarn Used: Cascade Yarns Superwash Merino
Find Hat info by clicking HERE
FREE in exchange for your pledge through the entire month of October.
Through the Loop Yarn Craft
Kim’s Beanie was designed in pink to help bring awareness to breast cancer.
Yarn Used: Scheepjes Stone Washed XL – worsted weight (#4) yarn
Find Hat info by clicking HERE
FREE in exchange for your pledge for the entire month of October 2022.
Remington Lane Crochet
The Cancer Strong Beanie is made in pink to bring awareness to breast cancer.
Yarn Used: Lion Brand Yarns, Hometown
Find Hat info by clicking HERE
FREE in exchange for your pledge through the entire month of October.
Underground Crafter
The Salvatore Slouch was crocheted in blues to bring awareness to colon cancer. I would like to thank Marie for her support every year since I began the challenge.
Yarn Used: Subtle Drifter Chunky in 4669 Midnight and 4670 Denim. It’s a bulky weight yarn (#5)
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
FREE in exchange for your pledge through the entire month of October 2022.
Lakeview Cottage Kids
The Soft Hugs & Love Beanie is a crochet pattern that was made in a pink yarn to bring awareness to breast cancer.
Yarn Used: #5 Bulky Weight – Red Heart Hygge Yarn
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
FREE in exchange for your pledge through the entire month of October 2022.
Sunflower Cottage Crochet
The Hannah Beanie was designed by Helen from Sunflower Cottage Crochet. She crocheted the hat in periwinkle help bring awareness to oesophegeal cancer.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE, follow the free download links on Sunflower Cottage Blog.
FREE in exchange for your pledge through the entire month of October 2022.
Snappy Tots
The Debbie Cloche was designed by Heidi from Snappy Tots. The cloche was designed in hopes to bring awareness to lung cancer.
Yarn Used: The hat shown is made with a worsted (#4) weight by Red Heart.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the month of October and will expire at midnight on 10/31/22.
Snappy Tots
The Great Outdoor beanie is a beautiful hat design made in pink to bring awareness and hope to those battling Breast Cancer.
Yarn Used: Red Heart Super Saver (Claret) and Red Heart Boutique Floral.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the month of October and will expire at midnight on 10/31/22.
Carroway Crochet
The Simply Striped Beanie is a cute design that looks like it will work up quick by Carroway Crochet. Her hat is made in blues to help bring awareness to colon cancer.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the month of October and will expire at midnight on 10/31/22.
Two Brothers Blankets
The Evander Beanie by Two Brothers Blankets is a traditional look to a beanie that will be loved. I want to thank Michelle for participating in every year of the Crochet Cancer Challenge since it started 10 years ago.
Yarn Used: Mary Maxim Woolspun – DK (#3) weight yarn
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the end of October, code will expire 10/31/22.
Ambassador Crochet
The Stepping Stones Beanie by Ambassador Crochet is a great textured design. Kristine is modeling the hat in grey to help show off the texture, but she wanted to bring awareness to skin cancers with the black awareness ribbon.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the month of October and will expire on 10/31/22.
nana’s Crafty Corner
The Remember Me Beanie by Nana’s Crafty Home is a fun textured beanie. The hat is made with grey in the yarn to represent brain cancer.
Yarn Used: Hobby Lobby ILTY – worsted (#4) weight yarn
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good for 24 hours and will expire 10/27/22.
Marsha Yarn Doodle
The Mom’s angel Beanie by Marsha Yarn Doodle is a fun cabled design made in an ombre yarn. The purple/lavender colors represent all cancers.
Yarn Used: Red Heart Super Saver Ombre – (#4) worsted weight yarn
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good for 24 hours and will expire at midnight on 10/25/22.
Bliss This
The Courage Rising Beanie is made in purple, purple is the universal color in a cancer ribbon to represent all types of cancers.
Yarn Used: Worsted weight, hand dyed from @Fatima Nasir Aquarius Make
Find Hat info by clicking HERE
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Handmade by Yarn Mama
The Cascade Falls Beanie was made in a rich gold color to help bring awareness to Leukemia, cancers in children.
Find Hat pattern by clicking HERE
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Crochets by Trista
The Cozy Retreat Beanie is crocheted in purple to represent all types on cancer.
Yarn Used: A Worsted Weight #4 yarn, Craftsmart Value from Michael’s Craft Store in a Purple colorwary.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Straight Hooked
The Deep Breaths Beanie was crocheted in these shades of grey to help bring awareness to Brain Cancer.
Yarn Used: Lion Brand Ferris Wheel which is a light worsted
Find Hat pattern by clicking HERE, be sure to add to your cart directly from the blog post (not the pattern store), then use the coupon code.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Hooks, Books & Wanderlust
The Faith Over Fear Beanie is a gorgeous hat design crocheted in pink to help bring awareness to breast cancer.
Yarn Used: Big Twist Shine, which is labeled as a DK weight
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Crystalized Designs
The Kathy Beanie is made in multiple shades of gray to represent cancers of the brain.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
SEK Handmade
The Waylen Beanie was designed by my good friend Sarah, owner at SEK Handmade. She wanted to represent Thyroid Cancers this year.
Yarn Used: The hat shown is made with a worsted (#4) weight, hand dyed yarn from Montana Crochet
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Simply Hooked by Janet
The Great Hope Beanie was designed by Simply Hooked by Janet. The hat is made in burgundy & ivory to represent head & neck cancers.
Yarn Used: The hat shown is made with a worsted (#4) weight, We Crochet Wool of The Andes Tweed.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet
The Peakaboo Ridge Chemo Cap is a lovely design by Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet, featuring a pink sample to encourage those battling Breast Cancer.
Yarn Used: Lion Brand Coboo, #3 weight
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
FREE in exchange for your pledge for 24 hours, coupon code will expire the evening of October 20, 2022.
Crafting Each Day
The Primrose Hat was designed by Crafting Each Day. The hat was crocheted in different pink tones of yarn to bring awareness to breast cancer.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Simply Melanie Jane
The Hoty Hat was designed by Melanie from Simply Melanie Jane. Made in a gold color to bring awareness to childhood cancers.
Yarn Used: The hat shown is made with a worsted (#4) weight by Red Heart.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Wish Upon A Hook
The Everly Beanie by wish Upon a Hook is such a classic looking design. Ashley designed this lovely hat in teal o bring awareness to Ovarian Cancer.
Yarn Used: Stylecraft special DK (#3) weight yarn.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code has expired, but you can still purchase the pattern to support the designer.
Pam’s Cozy Corner
The Ellie Beanie features some fun stitch combinations by Pam’s Cozy Corner. Pam made her hat in a beautiful pink color to bring awareness to Breast Cancer.
Yarn Used: Big Twist Value a worsted weight yarn (#4)
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
FREE in exchange for your pledge for 24 hours, coupon code will expire the evening of October 19, 2022.
Cre8tions Crochet
The Lightweight Grace Tinley Beanie is a cute design by Cre8tions Crochet. Her hopes are to help bring awareness to pancreatic cancer this year.
Yarn Used: Emma’s Yarn Comfy Cotton DK (#3)
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good through the weekend, expires 10/23/22–just be sure to follow the links to the pattern on Ravelry.
Creations by Courtney
The Krissy’s Mountain Side Bucket Hat is a unique and classy design by Creations by Courtney. Courtney made the hat in pink to represent breast cancer.
Find Hat info by clicking HERE.
Coupon code is good for 24 hours and will expire 10/28/22.
Find more information about the Crochet Cancer Challenge Below:
- Information explaining what the Crochet Cancer Challenge is, click HERE.
- What type of hat should I make? What Sizes? Where do I get the patterns? Click HERE.
- Yarn Recommendations to use for the hats, click HERE.
- Where should I donate my hats, click HERE.
- A fun start early project you can add to your hats, click HERE.
- Challenge others to join and more fun information, click HERE.
So excited to get started again for the Cancer Challenge. Thank you and all the designers for their hard work and contributions go for the challenge!!
I love this idea. I am scrambling to complete Christmas this year, but will could do it in January >
October holds a special meaning because I’m a breast cancer survivor. Also I have family members that have a type of cancer that has been rough and potentially deadly. Thanks for being part of this. I’ll be contacting my cancer center to see if they are accepting donations due to covid again.
I’m a breast cancer survivor too. My sister just found out she had a non-Hodgkins lymphoma when she had her hip replaced, and my brother may have it somewhere as he’s had abnormal blood tests. I may not be able to make hats right now as the chemo has left my hands/tendons a bit off, but I will return to crocheting again soon. Thank you!!
Thank you for the pattern, and the challenge! I’m a new follower, thanks to testing for Amber. Your story has me inspired to make hats for the doctors and nurses who were part of my dad’s journey with stage 4 lung cancer – cancer free 5 years later. I’m not very fast with my hook, so it will take time but I’m determined to make and donate these hats as I can!
Thank you so much for creating this lovely pattern (and others) for such a wonderful cause. This is an excellent way for me to easily use up my leftover yarn and there are plenty of local cancer centers where they will be readily accepted. I’ll keep you posted as I get them made and given out.
Where do I pledge? There is no code for the 1st pattern, and no pattern on the linked page.
The pledge is made when you download the pattern. You can find the code in the highlighted section of this blog post; it is the same code all month long.
Several women in my family have had breast cancer. Thank-you for these hats. I plan to organize a crochet circle with some friends and donate the hats to a local cancer support group. <3
I seem to be going in circles and not finding the pattern
Hi Ruth, the patterns are listed each day and are only available for free for 24 hours (there are a few that the designer has decided to extend their offer, I have a section for these ones so you can easily find the ones available all month long).
Thank you for the pattern!
I list both my mom and dad to cancer. As well as several family members. Cancer sucks!!!
I love your patterns. I donate to Via Christi Cancer center Wichita, Kansas
I am struggling to find the codes for download. Please can you assist me?
The code is in the highlighted section of the blog pos, it is the same for all the designs this month.
I have been trying to use the code and then pattern comes up with a cost. Being a cancer survivor twice now, I would love to make these and would give me joy. I have not been able to download any of them. Wonder if I read or am doing something wrong?
Thanks
GinnyB
The codes are tested before I add the daily designs. Double check to make sure they haven’t expired. Most designs are only available for 24 hours, but some designers have left them available for free for the entire month of October.
Thanks so much for this challenge!!! I am a 9 year breast cancer survivor and will be honored to make these hats for my local cancer center, which continues to support me!!!