Saturday, November 3, 2012

A Chemo Hat for Tamara

One of my swimming friends called the other day to ask if I would make another chemo hat like I had made for Jill

A friend at work named Tamara had a recurrence of cancer and has 12 more rounds (!) of chemo to get through...that's on top of the 12 she had just completed.  What a tough road.

No yarn is better for a chemo hat than Muench Touch Me.


The first chemo hat I made with this yarn was for my mother.  

At the time, there were many chemo hats offered to her through the hospital and support groups to help keep her head from getting cold.   Most of them were made from wool, a fiber that is tough on sensitive skin and newly balding heads.

Touch Me is 72% rayon microfiber and 28% wool and it feels like heaven...the softest velvet you can imagine.  

Unfortunately, the reason why most chemo caps are probably not made from this wonderful fiber is because of its price...around $16.95 for 50gr/61yds.  I used 2.4 balls for this hat being modeled by Abby, which means I had to buy 3 skeins.

Sounds expensive until I remember the look of pure sensual delight on my mother's face when she first put on that wonderfully soft hat.  It seems a small price to pay to bring joy to someone suffering.
The hat is being modeled by my friend Abby who is not the recipient.  She was just kind enough to be my head model.



I plan to create modifications to this hat pattern for bald heads...they're a little different than heads with hair and will share my findings in the new year.  

The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry and can be worn with the brim down as a cloche; or brim rolled.   It has no seams either which can sometimes irritate a bald head.


That's why I need to modify.  The brim of the hat has to be a bit smaller because there is no hair to help hold the hat on.  And then sides and the brim also need a bit of adjustment.  

It's still a work in progress but I'm going to figure it out once I get through the holidays.

On Ravelry?  Here's a link to my Ravelry page if you want to be friends.

I haven't forgotten Mrs. Rose.  She's just patiently waiting until I get through a few more of life's distractions.  

Happy weekend everyone!

Note:  For those who remember my friend Jill  who was battling breast cancer in 2010/2011 (she was featured here ("The Power of Us") and here ("Cloche for Comfort"), she is doing wonderfully, is cancer-free and is enjoying raising her four beautiful children.  

They were featured in a local magazine article titled "Telling Your Children Mommy has Cancer" and the story told by her husband Dave to the kids to explain Mommy's illness was beautiful...

11 comments:

Nana said...

It´s always a wonderful thing to visit your blog, no matter what topic ypu´re talking about. God bless you,

Nana

Suztats said...

A wonderful, caring way to help another in their battle. Bless you .

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

The yarn is absolutely beautiful. I remember when a friend went through chemo, she wrapped her head in luxurious scarves wrapped into turbans. She said they made her feel glamorous. I suspect that anyone that receives one of your hats made of this wonderful yarn experiences that same feeling. Compounded by the loving energy that was stitched with every stitch.
Much love
Carol

Wendy said...

What a beautiful hat! And such a wonderful gift for someone who needs a soft touch during those harsh treatments....

Jennifer M. said...

Beautiful hat. I love soft pretty yarns even though they can be kind of pricey. :)

Jen

Createology said...

Very powerful to use simple supplies to make something comforting for someone battling such a hideous disease. Bless you dear...and prayers for Tamara. Thankfully Jill is well now.
How sweet of Abby to model your comfort cap.

Catherine said...

Best wishes and prayers for your friend. The yarn you have chosen is stunning ~ both in color and how I imagine it feels!

margaret said...

so good to hear your friend Jill is cancer free and pray your friend Tamara has a happy outcome and she does not get too sick with the side effects of the chemo. I am sure she will love the hat thy say if you keep the hed warm the rest of you is warm too so the hat will be a great blessing to her.

Sheila said...

What a great hat! Yes, the right yarn on a cold, bare head makes all the difference, especially when you know it kicks the gift up from "I'm grateful you thought of me" to "I don't want to take this off my head. Ever." :)

Rachel said...

Wool can be a bit scratchy and the modern synthetics are so much better than they were even fifteen years ago. It's good to have such variety available for all purposes!

allie aller said...

I am overjoyed to hear about Jill!!!!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails