Piggy Tail Children's Chemo Summer Hat

I will begin this post with a true story.

A Few years ago, a sweet little friend of mine, we will call her "Betsy",

was diagnosed with Cancer at the young age of 3.

Her family attended the same church as we did and are our dear friends.

She spent most of her young life at St. Jude Children's Hospital, but was able to

 come home one weekend.

That evening after church, She was sitting on my lap. And she was chatting,

 as she always did. One of her little friends came walking up. Very excited to see

each other, they hugged each other tightly. Giggling and laughing.

Betsy's Friend had adorable piggy tails. I watched as Betsy looked at her piggy tails,

and  rubbed her bald head.

 I remember her thick dark curly hair, and wanted to burst

 into tears. She looked at me and smiled, while still rubbing her head, and said,

 "I don't have any piggy tails". It was not stated sadly, but rather, matter of fact.

I again wanted to cry, but just hugged her and said "You will".

She smiled her beautiful smile at me, then ran off with her friend to play,

 and I sat there and cried.

I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.

It is what inspired me to design a Hat

 for all little girls, going through Chemo Therapy,
 and have piggy tails.

The rest of the Story is "Betsy" does have a beautiful head of Dark Curls
and has grown into a beautiful Cancer free young lady.

Please take a moment and add it to Your 

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Pattern - Piggy Tail Children's Chemo Hat

Skill : Easy

Materials: 

J-Hook

A bag of Poly Doll hair ( I bought mine from Hobby Lobby

Yarn - Cotton yarn - I used I Love This yarn By Hobby Lobby

Small amount of contrasting yarn for bows and Flower

Stitches:

Chain ( ch)

Slip Stitch ( sl st)

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet(dc)

Half Double Crochet ( hdc)

Back Loops Only (BLO)

Hat fits 16-18 inch head - but easily adjusted to smaller or larger sizes.

Pattern : Step 1- The hat

R : 1 - We will be starting with the hat band, 

ch1 at the end of each row, does not count as a st, it is a turning ch,

Ch 4, 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 2 chs, ch1, 

turn ( 3sc)

R : 2 - Working in the BLO, 1 sc in each sc, ch1 turn, (3 sc)

R : 3-40:  Repeat R: 2

Place the 2 ends together to form a circle, being careful not to twist the band,

 place 3 sc through both ends to sew them together, no not tie off.

R : 41 - turn hat, place 1 hdc in the end of each row, join to 1st hdc,  ( 40 sc)

R : 42- *Ch 3, skip 2 sts, sl st in the next st*, repeat around , 

join in top of 1st ch3, (20 ch3 loops)

R : 43- slst in the 1st ch3 loop, ch3, 2 dc in that 1st ch3 loop, 

3 dc in each ch3 loop around, join to top of the 1st ch 3, (20 3dc groups)

R : 44 - sl to the center st of the 1st dc group, ch4, 1 dc in the same st, ch1,

 "dc, ch1, dc" in the center dc st in the next 3dc group, 

and in each 3dc group across, join. ( 20 v sts)

R : 45 - Sl st to 1st ch 1 space, *ch 3, sl st in the next ch1 space*,
Repeat 8 to * around, sl st in the top of the 1st ch3 loop. ( 20 ch3 loops)

R : 46-51- Repeat R : 43-45 2 more times

R : 52- Repeat R : 43

R : 53-1 hdc in each st around, join, (40 sc)

Turn hat wrong side out, lay hat flat and sc through both layers

 of the top of the hat. tie off, and weave in your end.

Step 2- How to attach the Piggy Tails

1. Measure the length of the Piggy tail you want.

2. Fold the hair over the Hook, and pull up a loose loop.

3. Wrap the hair over the hook.

4. Pull hair through that loop, and pull gently. 

5. Add Bows and a Flower is desired.

Bow: Make 2

 R : 1- Ch 13, 12 sc, ch1 turn

R : 2 - 12 sc, ch1, turn

R : 3 & 4 - Repeat R : 2

Tie off, and weave in the ends of yarn.  Cut a 12 inch piece of matching yarn, 

wrap it around the center of the bow and tie very snugly. 

Attach on to each side of the hat where the piggy tail is attached.

Flower : Click the link for the Flower pattern Tutorial for Flower

 I made the hat in a open weave st pattern , to add a little warm, but still be fun for Summer.

If you want a Solid st hat, simply st the hat all in hdcs, in place of the open weave, 

and you will have a much warmer hat. 

I chose to use Cotton because cotton is comfortable on bald heads. 

Acrylic yarn can used rather then the cotton, or any Worsted weight yarn.

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