Basic Hats to Make for Charity

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and you may be feeling it’s time to do something generous. How about making some basic hats to donate? They’re a great project, because they’re useful — you can make preemie hats for a NICU, chemo caps for a hospital, or warm hats for the homeless. Since they don’t take too long or use up a ton of yarn, you can make several to donate at once.

Freshman Knit Hat

If you’re looking for places to donate, check with a local hospital or homeless shelter, or try one of the following charities:

• Halos of Hope
• Knots of Love
• Hats for the Homeless
• Crochet for Cancer
• Head Huggers

Basic Knit Hats

Textured Stripes	Junior Knit Hat
Seed Stitch Hat	Ribbed Hat

Basic Crochet Hats

Freshman Crocheted Hat	Earthy Crocheted Hat
Comforting Blue Cap	Ballpark Hat

When knitting or crocheting for charity, especially if you’re making hats for cancer patients, there are a few things to keep in mind. You want to avoid stitches that are too open or loose, as well as any extreme textures. People going through chemo likely have sensitive skin on their heads and need something comfortable. Textures (like cables) can be uncomfortable, especially when laying down, and open stitches won’t provide needed warmth. It’s also important to use a soft, washable yarn. The softness is important for the same reasons you need to be mindful of texture — people who are sick and in pain need the most comfortable, easy to wear hats possible. Since they will likely be wearing the hat a lot, it needs to be easy to care for. The patterns above all call for Vanna’s Choice® yarn, which is 100% acrylic. You may also want to try 24/7 Cotton® or Heartland® yarns. All three are soft, affordable, and washable. Make sure to avoid wool, too, as some patients may have sensitivities.

Giving hats to those who need them is a great way to do something nice this season. Armed with the right yarn and basic patterns, you can really make a difference.