With the Crochet Cancer Challenge fast approaching, you may be going through your yarn stash and wondering which yarns you should use. Today’s post will go over some yarn recommendations for when you crochet the hats to donate to cancer patients.
Yarn Recommendations
It is important to use yarns that are soft and breathable when making hats for cancer patients. Many will recommend for you to use a cotton blend. However, a 100% cotton yarn is not very soft, so make sure it is a blend.
The yarn should wash well and hold up with multiple uses (hold its shape). Below I have made a list of yarn recommendations including brands and types of yarn that have been loved by recipients from past years. Many of these yarns have also been recommended by Cancer Centers. Many of these yarns can be found at Michaels, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby and other Craft Stores.
- Berrocoo Comfort Yarns
- Baby Bee (nearly the entire line is highly recommended) found at Hobby Lobby
- I Love this Cotton (Hobby Lobby)
- Comfy Worsted Cotton Blend from Knit Picks (online)
- Shine Worsted Cotton Blend from Knit Picks (online)
- Caron Simply Soft
- Patons Bamboo Baby / Be Mine
- Bernat Giggles / Li’l Tots / Softee Baby (regular or cotton) / Satin
- Lion Brand Heartland / Landscapes / Jeans / Feels Like Butta / Homespun
- Red Heart Soft (not Super Saver) / Love / Boutique Unforgettable / Buttercup
- Loops & Threads Charisma / Soft & Shiny
- Premier Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted / Everyday Baby / Cotton Soft Silk
- Main Street Yarns Shiny + Soft
- Sprightly Yarn Line from BluPrint
Keep in mind that yarns that contain wool are often itchy and not recommended for Cancer hats.
The list above is not exclusive, there are many other brands/lines of yarn that will work. Just check your label and when in doubt, inquire with the center you will be donating at and see if they have specific recommendations.
Yarn Weights & Gauge Check
Remember to always follow the yarn weight recommended in the pattern. The weight of the yarn will affect the size of the hat along with your gauge. Always check your gauge prior to starting your hat. If your gauge swatch is too small, go up a hook size until it matches the gauge. If your gauge swatch is too large, go down a hook size until your swatch matches the stated gauge.
Stay tuned and Share your Work
I will be posting the daily hats on Instagram, Facebook and in my Facebook Group. Please follow each of these to stay up to date.
AND I ask that you share your work by using the Hashtag #CrochetCancerChallenge in your posts! Call out your friends to join, it not only helps us pledge more hats, but makes it more fun and personal.
Informational Links for the Cancer Challenge:
- 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.
- 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.
Thank for this opportunity to make more hats. It is a wonderful idea. I will be making hats as much as I can
I will like to help?
I will be making hats for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
Have donated 4 hats to my friend that was diagnosed with cancer, she is in remission. The yarn that I used was Sirdar Baby Bamboo.
Would like to join
Hi, I’m interested but I’m in Australia. Is this available in Australia???
Yes, you can participate and donate the hats locally. That is what is so great about this event, we want you to make an impact on your own community <3
Hi,I am interested in joining the project…but I live in India. Will cotton knitting yarn do for making the caps?
You ight like to add Lion Brand’s Coboo which is a cotton bamboo blend and is super soft!!
I am excited to be able to do this. I have stage 4 lung cancer and I myself just got to pick two hats from the little cancer boutique at my hospital. I don’t know if I will be able to promise I can make 31 hats because I never know how I’m going to feel each day, but I will promise to do as many as I can and will donate them to the very place that gave me the opportunity to pick a free wig two free fabric head covers and two knit and crocheted hats for night time so my bare head don’t get cold. Thank you again for the opportunity.
I lost my sister in 2013 to cancer. In 2016 I was diagnosed with cancer and completed chemo and radiation. During my treatments I made scarves for fellow patients and have continued to do so. In February I donated 45 scarves, several lap blankets and shawls. This is a wonderful thing you are doing. Thank you! I will be working on hats and will donate.
I am excited about making the Emerald Green hat…. does it have to be in the green? I have yarn just not any that is green and currently have no transportation to obtain any.
No, It does not have to be green. Make the hat in any color you wish. Thank you for participating!
I will add this to my pile. I make for our children’s hospital and that includes young adults. Thank you