Jaunty Hats
SUGGESTIONS FOR KNITTING/CROCHETING A JAUNTY HAT
Please think as you knit/crochet for the one who will be the
recipient of the hat you are creating, keeping in mind that, at the
present time, they may not even know that they are going to have
cancer or that they will be without hair temporarily.
Use soft yarn that will be comfortable to wear. Do make the hat
from bright yarns or decorate the hat so that when worn, it lifts
the spirit of the person wearing it. Put your personality into it.
Use cotton yarns for summer wear. Be sure that the hat is not too
small, that it is sufficient to cover the head completely. You may
need to adjust the pattern you are using.
If you add any attachment(s) on the hat, be sure that there is no
sharpness inside the hat. We do not want to scratch someone’s skin
and possibly cause an infection. Try to attach any ornamentation in
such a way that it can be removed so the hat can be laundered or
simply redecorated.
Always provide washing instructions with the hat.
It is good to place the finished hat in a clear plastic bag so
that it is easily viewable and contains all the information that you
need to provide – such as laundry instructions and, if you chose, a
message from you. Your message may include: your own experience with
cancer if you have had cancer; an uplifting message;
suggestions about keeping the hat after the recipient’s hair has
returned or possibly passing the hat on to someone else they know
who has cancer. Be sure and check with the clinic where you will be
providing hats to see what they consider permissible to include in
the Jaunty Hat packet.
There are no set patterns or yarns to use although we will
provide patterns if you desire. There is no one clinic or medical
center to which you must take the hats you knit. Where you provide
hats to is your personal decision. You do not have to report your
progress or experiences to anyone. This is not an organizational
project. It is simply a concept that we hope to promote so that more
women will have the joy of wearing a hat that is uplifting to their
spirits during a time that they need that so very much. However, we
have found that getting together on occasion offers an opportunity
to share patterns, to share decorations for the hats, to offer yarn
that has been donated, to encourage one another, etc.
Be prepared to see a lovely woman somewhere in your neighborhood
– the grocery – who is proudly wearing your hat or one
similar to the ones you have created. Perhaps you will simply smile
in your heart and just pass her by without a word. Perhaps you will
speak to her about our ministry. In any event, you will be blessed!
Patterns
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