INTRODUCTION

Fuck Cancer Hat

by Mary Martin

Last year a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer and I knit lots of hats for her. It was terrible to watch her go through her chemo and radiation and I wanted to create a hat that echoed what we were feeling at the time.

Around the same time I had tried some of Lucy Hague’s patterns that used a slipped stitch cabling technique. This technique can create intricately beautiful designs that seem to pop out of the garment. I found this technique must easier than other kinds of colorwork as only one color is worked at at time.

The end result was a very direct message to cancer that is “written” on a hat.

This hat requires two fingering weight yarns. The pattern is very forgiving if your two yarns are slightly different weights. The writing looks best with a solid or tonal yarn. Solid, tonal, gradient, speckled and randomly patterned yarns all work well as the contrast yarn. Use two high contrast yarns for a bold message or lower contrast yarns for a subtler statement. This is a great project for using up scrap yarn.

This hat fits with 2 inches of negative ease so that it lays tight to the head.

model: Mary Martin + Betty Kneis

photos: Storey Wilkins

SIZE

Adult S[M, L]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: 18[20, 22] inches/ 45[50, 55] cm
Length: 7[8, 9] inches/ 17.5[20, 23] cm, adjustable to fit

Choose a size with approximately 2 inches/5 cm negative ease in the circumference. Hat as shown is fairly short, to be warm and snug on a head without hair. Add depth if you need to accommodate hair, pattern indicates where it can be lengthened.

MATERIALS

Yarn

Miss Babs Woodbury [65% Merino Wool 35% Tussah Silk, 365m/100g];
[MC] Blackbird, 1 skein
[CC] Goldenrod, 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #2/2.75mm needles: one 16 inch/40 cm circular and needles for small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long or 2 short circulars as you prefer, for crown shaping

Notions
5 stitch markers
cable needle

GAUGE

28 stitches/52 rnds = 4 inches in garter stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Sl1: Slip all sts as if to purl, with yarn in back.

3-into-1: Slip 2, pass 2nd st on right ndl over 1st, return this st to left ndl, pass 2nd st on left ndl over 1st, p1.

5-into-1: Slip 3, *pass 2nd st over 1st on right ndl, sl from right ndl to left ndl, pass 2nd st over 1st on left ndl*, sl from left ndl to right ndl, repeat *to*, p1.

0-into-1: Wyib, insert right ndl from front to back under the horizontal strand before the next stitch, wrap & pull through.

0-into-2: Wyib, insert right ndl from front to back under the horizontal strand before the next stitch, wrap & pull through, placing this loop on the left ndl; insert right ndl to the left of first st on left ndl (as if for cable CO), wrap yarn & pull through, leaving this loop on the right ndl; slip 1 from left ndl to right ndl.

1-into-5: Wyib, [insert right ndl from front to back between the next two sts on left ndl (as if for cable CO), wrap yarn & pull through, leaving this loop on the right ndl; slip 1 from left ndl to right ndl, insert left ndl between 1st two st on right ndl, wrap & pull through, slip 1 from right ndl to left ndl] twice k1, slip 2.

1/1 RT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold at back; k1 tbl, k1 tbl from cable needle.

1/1 LPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold at front; p1, k1 tbl from cable needle.

1/1 RPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold at back; k1 tbl, p1 from cable needle.

3-into-2 LPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold in front, p1, sl from cable needle to left ndl, k2tog.

3-into-2 RPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold in back, k2tog, p1 from cable needle.

1/2 RPT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at back; k1 tbl, p2 from cable needle.

1/2 LPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold at front; p2, k1 tbl from cable needle.

2/1 RPT: Slip next st to cable needle, hold at back; k2 tbl, p1 from cable needle.

2/1 LPT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front; p1, k2 tbl from cable needle.

1/1 RPTDec: Slip 1, slip next st to cable needle, hold in back, sl from right ndl to left ndl, k2tog, p1 from cable needle.

2/2 RPT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at back; k2 tbl, p2 from cable needle.

2/2 LPT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front; p2, k2 tbl from cable needle.

2/2 LT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front; k2 tbl, k2 tbl from cable needle.

2/2 RT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold at back; k2 tbl, k2 tbl from cable needle.

4-into-2 LT: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, sl right st from cable needle to left ndl, ssk, sl from cable needle to left ndl, ssk.

2/3 RPT: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle, hold at back; (k1 tbl wrapping yarn twice around needle), k1 tbl, p3 from cable needle. Drop the extra wrap on the next round.

The entire “Fuck Cancer” message is a large design so there are separate charts for “Fuck” and for “Cancer”. 

Each line of the written instructions combines the instructions for both charts.  The stitches between the first pair of “*”s correspond to the “Cancer” chart, and the stitches between the second pair of “*”s correspond to the “Fuck” chart. The written instructions also gives the stitch count on any rounds where it changes, listed separately for the two charts, for ease of counting.

CHARTED INSTRUCTIONS

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: All odd-numbered rounds are worked with MC, and all-numbered rounds are worked with CC.

Rnd 1: Purl.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: Purl.
Rnd 4: Knit.

Rnd 5: *P40, 1-into-5, p7 (52 sts)*, p to marker, *p25, 1-into-5, p4. (34 sts)*.

Rnd 6: *K40, sl2, k1, sl2, k7 *, k to marker, *k25, sl2, k1, sl2, k4*.

Rnd 7: *P38, 2/2 RPT, p1, 2/2 LPT, p5 *, p to marker, *p23, 2/2 RPT, p1, 2/2 LPT, p2*.

Rnd 8: *K38, (sl2, k5) twice *, k to marker, *k23, sl2, k5, sl2, k2*.

Rnd 9: *P36, 2/2 RPT, p5, 2/2 LPT, p3 *, p to marker, *p21, 2/2 RPT, p5, k2 tbl, p2*.

Rnd 10: *K36, sl2, k9, sl2, k3 *, k to marker, *k21, sl2, k7, sl2, k2*.

Rnd 11: *P35, 2/1 RPT, p9, 2/1 LPT, p2 *, p to marker, *p21, k2 tbl, p7, 2/1 LPT, p1*.

Rnd 12: *K35, sl2, k11, sl2, k2 *, k to marker, *k21, sl2, k8, sl2, k1*.

Rnd 13: *P5, 0-into-2, p3, (0-into-2, p7) twice, 0-into-2, p3, 0-into-2, p6, 0-into-2, p2, 0-into-2, p1, p2tog twice, p10, k2 tbl, p2 (64 sts)*, p to marker, *p1, 0-into-2, p4, 0-into-1, (p3, 0-into-2) twice, p2, 0-into-2, p7, 2/1 RPT, p8, k2 tbl, p1. (43 sts)*.

Rnd 14: *K5, sl2, k3, (sl2, k7) twice, sl2, k3, sl2, k6, sl2, k2, sl2, k13, sl2, k2 *, k to marker, *k1, sl2, k4, sl1, (k3, sl2) twice, k2, sl2, k7, sl2, k9, sl2, k1*.

Rnd 15: *P5, k2 tbl, p2, (1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p5) twice, 1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p1, 1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p4, 1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p1, k1 tbl, 1/1 LPT, p12, 2/1 LPT, p1 *, p to marker, *1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p3, k1 tbl, p2, (1/1 RPT, 1/1 LPT, p1) twice, k1 tbl, 1/1 LPT, p6, k2 tbl, p9, 2/1 LPT*.

Rnd 16: *K5, sl2, k2, (sl1, k2, sl1, k5) twice, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k4, sl1, k2, (sl1, k1) twice, sl1, k13, sl2, k1 *, k to marker, *sl, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k2, (sl1, k2, sl1, k1) twice, sl1, k1, sl1, k6, sl2, k10, sl2*.

Rnd 17: *P5, k2 tbl, (p2, k1 tbl) twice, p4, 1/1 RPT, p2, 1/1 LPT, p3, 1/1 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, p4, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, 1/1 RPT, p1, 1/2 LPT, p11, k2 tbl, p1 *, p to marker, *k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 LPT, p2, k1 tbl, p1, 1/1 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, 1/1 RPT, p1, 1/1 LPT, p4, 2/1 RPT, p10, k2 tbl*.

Rnd 18: *K5, sl2, (k2, sl1) twice, (k4, sl1) twice, (k3, sl1) twice, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k4, sl1, k2, sl2, k4, sl1, k11, sl2, k1 *, k to marker, *sl, k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k2, sl2, k3, sl1, k4, sl2, k11, sl2*.

Rnd 19: *P9, p2tog, p1, 1/1 LPT, p3, k1 tbl, p4, 1/1 LPT, 1/2 RPT, p3, 1/1 LPT, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, p4, k1 tbl, p2, sl1, k1, psso, p4, k1 tbl, p11, 2/1 LPT (62 sts)*, p to marker, *p2tog, p2, k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 RPTDec, p3, 1/1 RPTDec, p2, ssk, p3, k1 tbl, p3, 2/1 RPT, p11, k2 tbl. (39 sts)*.

Rnd 20: *K12, sl1, k3, sl1, k5, sl2, k6, sl2, (k2, sl1, k4, sl1) twice, k12, sl2*, k to marker, *k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k4, (sl1, k3) 3 times, sl2, k12, sl2*.

Rnd 21: *P12, k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 RPT, p5, 1/1 RT, p5, 3-into-2 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p3, 1/1 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p4, k1 tbl, p12, k2 tbl (61 sts)*, p to marker, *p2, 1/1 RPT, p1, 1/1 RPT, p4, k1 tbl, (p2, 1/1 RPT) twice, 0-into-2, p3, k2 tbl, p11, 2/1 RPT. (41 sts)*.

Rnd 22: *K12, sl1, k2, sl1, k6, sl2, k5, (sl1, k3) 3 times, sl1, k4, sl1, k12, sl2 *, k to marker, *(K2, sl1) twice, k5, sl1, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl2, k3, sl2, k11, sl2, k1*.

Rnd 23: *P5, k2 tbl, p4, 1/1 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p4, 1/2 RPT, k1 tbl, p5, (k1 tbl, p3) 3 times, k1 tbl, p4, k1 tbl, p5, 1-into-5, p6, k2 tbl (65 sts)*, p to marker, *p1, 1/1 RPT, p2, kfb, p5, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, p3, k1 tbl, p1, 2/1 LPT, p1, 2/1 RPT, p11, k2 tbl, p1. (42 sts)*.

Rnd 24: *K5, sl2, k4, sl1, k3, sl1, k4, sl1, k2, sl1, k5, (sl1, k3) 3 times, sl1, k4, sl1, k5, sl2, k1, sl2, k6, sl2 *, k to marker, *k1, sl1, k3, sl2, k5, sl1, k2, sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl2, k1, sl2, k12, sl2, k1*.

Rnd 25: *P5, k2 tbl, p4, k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 RPT, p2, 1/2 RPT, p1, 1/1 RPT, p4, (1/1 RPT, p2) 3 times, 1/1 RPT, p4, k1 tbl, p3, 2/2 RPT, p1, 2/2 LPT, p4, k2 tbl *, p to marker, *1/1 RPT, p2, 1/1 RPT, k1 tbl, p4, 1/1 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p3, k1 tbl, p2, 2/1 LPT, k2 tbl, p3, 0-into-2, p9, k2 tbl, p1. (44 sts)*.

Rnd 26: *K5, sl2, k4, sl1, k2, ((sl1, k3) twice, sl1, k5, sl1, k3) twice, sl2, k5, sl2, k4, sl2 *, k to marker, *sl, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k4, (sl1, k3) 3 times, sl1 4 times, k3, sl2, k9, sl2, k1*.

Rnd 27: *P4, 2/1 RPT, p4, (k1 tbl, p2) twice, 1/1 RPT, p3, k1 tbl, p2, 0-into-1, p2, 1/1 RPT, p3, k1 tbl, p3, kfb, p2, 1/1 RPT, p3, 1/2 RPT, p1, 2/2 RPT, p5, 2/1 LPT, p2, 2/1 RPT (67 sts)*, p to marker, *k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 RPT twice, p1, 0-into-1, (p2, 1/1 RPT) 3 times, p3, 2/2 LT, p1, 2/2 RPT, p8, 3-into-2 RPT, p1*.

Rnd 28: *K4, sl2, k5, ((sl1, k2) twice, sl1, k4) twice, sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k4, sl1, k3, sl2, k8, sl2, k2, sl2, k1 *, k to marker, *sl, k2, sl1, k1, (sl1, k2) twice, (sl1, k3) twice, sl1, k4, sl1 4 times, k1, sl2, k10, sl1, k2*.

Rnd 29: *P4, k2 tbl, p5, 1/1 LPT, p1, k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 LPT, p1, 1/2 RPT, p2, k1 tbl, p1, 1/1 RPT, p4, 1/1 LPT, p1, 1/1 RPT, k1 tbl, p2, 1/1 LPT, p1, 1/2 RPT, p2, 2/1 RPT, p8, 2/1 LPT, p1, k2 tbl, p1 *, p to marker, *k1 tbl, p1, 1/1 RPT, p1, k1 tbl, p2, k1 tbl, p1, 1/1 RPT, (p3, k1 tbl) twice, p4, k2 tbl, 5-into-1, p9, p2tog, p2. (39 sts)*.

Rnd 30: *K4, sl2, k6, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k4, sl1, k1, sl1, k6, (sl1, k1) twice, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k4, sl2, k10, (sl2, k1) twice *, k to marker, *sl, k1, (sl1, k2) twice, sl1, k1, sl1, k4, sl1, k3, sl1, k4, sl2, k13*.

Rnd 31: *P4, k2 tbl, p6, 3-into-2 LPT, p3, 3-into-1, p4, 3-into-1, p6, 3-into-1, p2tog, p3, 3-into-1, p3, 2/1 RPT, p10, k2 tbl, 2/1 RPT, p1 (57 sts)*, p to marker, *3-into-1, p1, 1/1 RPT, p2, 3-into-1, p3, p2tog, p2, p2tog, p4, k2 tbl, p7, 1-into-5, p5. (37 sts)*

Rnd 32: *K4, sl2, k7, sl1, k24, sl2, k11, sl1 4 times, k2 *, k to marker, *k2, sl1, k15, sl2, k7, sl2, k1, sl2, k5*.

Rnd 33: *P3, 2/1 RPT, p6, p2tog, p24, k2 tbl, p11, 2/2 RT, p2 (56 sts)*, p to marker, *p2, k1 tbl, p14, 2/1 RPT, p6, 2/1 RPT, p1, 2/2 LPT, p3*.

Rnd 34: *K3, sl2, k32, sl2, k11, sl1 4 times, k2 *, k to marker, *k2, sl1, k14, sl2, k7, sl2, k4, sl2, k3*.

Rnd 35: *P3, k2 tbl, p32, k2 tbl, p11, k1 tbl 4 times, p2*, p to marker, *p1, 1/1 RPT, p14, k2 tbl, p6, 3-into-2 RPT, p4, k2 tbl, p3. (36 sts)*.

Rnd 36: *K3, sl2, k32, sl2, k11, sl1 4 times, k2 *, k to marker, *k1, sl1, k15, sl2, k6, sl1, k5, sl2, k3*.

Rnd 37: *P3, k2 tbl, p32, k2 tbl, p10, 2/1 RPT, k2 tbl, p2 *, p to marker, *p1, k1 tbl, p11, 1-into-5, p2, 2/1 RPT, p6, p2tog, p4, k2 tbl, p3. (39 sts)*.

Rnd 38: *K3, sl2, k32, sl2, k10, sl2, k1, sl2, k2 *, k to marker, *k1, sl1, k11, sl2, k1, sl2, k2, sl2, k12, sl2, k3*.

Rnd 39: *P2, 2/1 RPT, p32, k2 tbl, p10, k2 tbl, p1, k2 tbl, p2 *, p to marker, *1/1 RPT, p10, 2/1 RPT, p1, 2/2 LPT, k2 tbl, p11, 2/1 RPT, p3*.

Rnd 40: *K2, sl2, k33, sl2, k10, sl2, k1, sl2, k2 *, k to marker, *sl, k11, sl2, k4, sl1 4 times, k11, sl2, k4*.

Rnd 41: *P2, k2 tbl, p33, 2/2 LPT, p7, 2/1 RPT, p1, 2/1 LPT, p1 *, p to marker, *k1 tbl, p10, 3-into-2 RPT, p4, 4-into-2 LT, p11, k2 tbl, p4. (36 sts)*.

Rnd 42: *K2, sl2, k35, sl2, k7, sl2, k3, sl2, k1 *, k to marker, *sl, k10, sl1, k5, sl2, k11, sl2, k4*.

Rnd 43: *P2, k2 tbl, p35, k2 tbl, p7, k2 tbl, p3, k2 tbl, p1 *, p to marker, *p2tog, p8, p2tog, p5, 2/2 LPT, p9, k2 tbl, p4. (34 sts)*.

Rnd 44: *K2, sl2, k35, sl2, k7, sl2, k3, sl2, k1 *, k to marker, *k17, sl2, k9, sl2, k4*.

Rnd 45: *P1, 2/1 RPT, p35, 2/1 LPT, p5, 2/1 RPT, p3, 2/1 LPT *, p to marker, *p17, 2/2 LPT, p6, 2/1 RPT, p4*.

Rnd 46: *K1, sl2, k37, (sl2, k5) twice, sl2 *, k to marker, *k19, sl2, k6, sl2, k5*.

Rnd 47: *3-into-2 RPT, p37, 2/2 LPT, p1, 2/2 RPT, p5, k2tog (54 sts)*, p to marker, *p19, 2/2 LPT, p1, 2/3 RPT, p5*.

Rnd 48: *Sl, k40, sl2, k1, sl2, k7, sl1 *, k to marker, *k21, sl2, k1, sl2, k8*.

Rnd 49: *P2tog, p39, 5-into-1, p6, p2tog (48 sts)*, p to marker, *p21, 5-into-1, p8. (30 sts)*.

Rnd 50: Knit.
Rnd 51: Purl.
Rnd 52: Knit.

DIRECTIONS

Using MC, circular needle and Long Tail or other stretchy method, CO 108[120, 132] sts.

Set up needle so that you can work into the first st CO, at the far end from the MC tail. Join CC.
Setup rnd: [K1, p1] around.

Note: Once the setup is worked, you’ll be at the start of the round, where the MC yarn is position.

Place marker and join for working in the round.

Rnd 1: With MC, [k1, p1] around.
Rnd 2: With CC, [k1, p1] around.

When you hit the end of the round and you are changing colours, always leave CC yarn in back and MC yarn in front at the end of the round.

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until piece measures 1[1.5, 1.5] / 2.5[3.5, 3.5] cm, ending with Rnd 2.

Increase rnd: With MC, [m1, (k1, p1) 3 times] to end of rnd. 126[140, 154] sts.

Following rnd, setup markers for pattern: With CC, k 21[28, 35] , pm, k48, pm, k5, pm, k30, pm, k 22[29, 36] .

If you are using the charts:
Rnd 1: With MC, p to m, work Row 1 of Cancer Pattern, p to m, work Row 1 of Fuck Pattern, p to end.
Rnd 2: With CC, k to m, work Row 2 of Cancer Pattern, k to m, work Row 2 of Fuck Pattern, k to end.

If you are using the written instructions:
Rnd 1: With MC, p to m, work Row 1 of the written instructions, p to end.
Rnd 2: With CC, k to m, work Row 2 of the written instructions, k to end.
Note: The stitches between the first pair of “*” are worked between the first pair of markers. The stitches between the second pair of “*” are worked between the second pair of markers. If the number of stitches between the markers change on that row, the new stitch count is listed.

Continue work as established in Rounds 1-2 for the all rounds.

Continue to alternate knitting in CC and purling in MC until hat measures desired length or 6[7, 8] inches)/ 15[17.5, 20] cm from cast on edge, ending with an MC rnd.

For Size S only:
Setup rnd: In CC, [k19, k2tog] around, removing markers as you go. 120 sts.

For Sizes M & L only:
Setup rnd: In CC, knit, removing markers as you go.
Round 1: In MC, [p 10[12, 12] , k2tog, pm] around. 10[10, 11] sts dec’d.
Round 2: In CC, [k to 2 before marker, k2tog] around. 10[10, 11] sts dec’d.
Round 3: In MC, [p to 2 sts before marker, k2tog] around. 10[10, 11] sts dec’d.

Repeat Rnds 2-3 until 10[10, 11] sts rem.

FINISHING

Break your yarns leaving tails about 10 inches/25cm long. Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches. Pull tight and weave in the ends.

To block the hat, soak in cold water with some wool wash if available for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out as much water as you can, then place between some towels and step on it to get the rest of the water out. Lay it flat, smooth out the design with your hand and allow it to dry.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Mary Martin lives in Toronto, Canada and has always loved knitting. Life became even better when her daughter started knitting and became her knitting buddy.

Find her on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2019 Mary Martin.