Brain Cancer Awareness

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month.   According the American Brain Tumor Association (link), brain tumors are the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children  (under the age of 20), second to Leukemia.  There are many campaigns out there to increase awareness, educate the people, but the one message that stuck with me is:  “I could be your child.”  I just couldn’t imagine the anguish that these families experience.  The National Brain Tumor Society (link) has a great website for education, awareness, how to become an advocate for Brain Cancer.

As discussed here, we are hoping to bring increased awareness, so in honor of May being Brain Cancer Awareness Month, I created this hat.

I wrote up a pattern, as suggested when we participated in the Link Up Party.  This is my first time writing a pattern, so if you have any feedback that could help me, I would greatly appreciate hearing it.

<Free Pattern>
I made this hat on a 36 peg loom for a woman.

To create a this brim
Row 1: e-wrap the pegs
Row 2: purl stitch
Row 3:  e-wrap stitch
Row 4: purl stitch
Row 5:  e-wrap stitch
Row 6: purl stitch

For the rest of the hat
e-wrap  until the hat is 7 inches long (from bottom of brim to top)
My row count is 28 (not including the brim)

To close the hat
On last row of e-wrap, cut 12 inches of the yarn.  Thread this yarn thru a tapestry needle, and take each stitch off the peg.  When all stitches are removed from the pegs, pull the hat closed.  Make a cross (sew the yarn in a + at the top of the stitches) and then go in through the top of the hat.  Make a knot inside the hat and cut off the excess yarn.

You may have a tail near the brim.  You can make sure to secure it with a knot, very close to the brim and cut off the excess yarn.

Crochet the Special Awareness Ribbon
Using Charisma yarn and a crochet hook size K
HDC- Half Double Crochet
Chain 33 single crochets
Skip last 2 in the chain, and HDC in each stitch until you get to the beginning slip knot.
End with a slip knot to secure all stitches

Shape into a ribbon and sew onto the hat using a tapestry needle

I plan to deliver this hat with a few others that we have at the Kaiser Oncology Department in Ontario, where my sister-in-law used to receive her treatment.  We will see how that goes… I think it’s time and I know they are needed, though I am not sure if I am strong enough to make this drop off without tears.  I really miss her…
~Pali