Hat pattern for chemo patient - help!

[PandaG]

A dear friend has just started chemo to treat breast cancer. I'd like to make her a hat as a small gesture of support. I'll also cook for her freezer etc and do housework when I can visit (we live away).

I've read that cotton yarn is the best for this purpose, and have some on order, but a lot of the patterns I have seen are pretty plain and boring. Does the hat need to be plain, or could I incorporate patterns or cables? Any insight gratefully accepted.

This probably isn’t very helpful but I didn’t really like the feel of anything against my head when I was having chemo, the most I tolerated was a beanie that I bought online.
Does your friend have a picc line? If so, some picc line covers may be nice they can be knitted.
If you’re crafty and she’s having a mastectomy there’s also heart shaped mastectomy pillows which are really useful, my mum made me a couple of those.

My scalp was quite painful when chemo got rid of my hair, but I could just about tolerate a light silk scarf. Also, without the hair my head was a lot smaller, so none of my existing hats fitted anyway!

Cotton/silk yarn might be OK, but be aware of the sizing issue. It's a lovely thought.

That’s a kind thought op.

I went with soft stretchy cotton beanies and square scarves from Deresina. One friend also gave me a triangular cotton knit scarf which was closer knit and I unused that under my silky scarves if I was cold.

She may want to wear it to sleep in so not sure cables or patterns would have worked for me. And it needs to be easily washed.

Our local cancer support group gave me a turban with a flower on it but I found it quite heavy

Picc line cover is a good shout, Also a wrap or shawl .

Friends brought me some lovely gentle self care gifts, like gentle shampoo ( which I continued to use on my completely bald head as I liked the silkiness) and various creams and lotions.

https://www.chemotherapyheadwear.com/. This link will give you ideas of some of the wide array of headgear there is. They also have the pillows pp mentioned.

Thanks all. I'll make a simple cotton beanie. Don't think she's got a picc line in, but I've not spoken to her since she has her first dose of chemo. Surgery is to be determined after chemo so can make pillows if it is a mastectomy. Thanks.