0. Purpose: Provide free knitted, crocheted, fleece/soft fabric hats for those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, brain surgery, burn wounds, etc.

0. Criteria for the hats:
   • Must be hand made
   • Must be new
   • Preferably washable
   • Wool is ok but not preferred because some patients are allergic to animal fibers--plus wool yarns tend to be less soft
   • Any regular pattern can be used but check out the patterns on our website

   We especially need some trendy kids patterns. Often that means making slight adjustments in adult patterns and being bolder with yarn colors plus adding decoration on the top of the hat.

0. Ideas:
   • Softer yarns (such as cotton) are more comfortable.
   • The softer the yarn the more comfortable for the patients.  Caron Simply Soft or Lion Brand Homespun yarns both provide comfortably soft hats.
   • Hats made with thinner yarn would be better for summer weather use.
   • Cotton is great for summer hats and warmer climates as it is cooler than most other types of yarn.
   • Most ofour hat patterns work well with thinner, cotton yarns as well as with worsted weight yarns.

Everything we need to know is on the submission form but in summary:

• Name, address, phone and e-mail of the person who made the hat being submitted. Don't worry, this info is confidential and you will not get on a mailing list. We need this to maintain a donor list for our records.
• We need to know what name or nickname to puton the label that is attached to the hat (identifying the volunteer who made the cap). Some people use the name of their knitting group, other people use a nickname like grandma, knitting lady, etc.
• And don't forget, we need to know what the hat is made of (some are allergic to wool)
• Once your hat is received, a tag will be made and attached to it with your name or nickname on it and listing the material the hat is made of. Your cap will be delivered, along with other hats directly to the nurses who are involved with the patients who have lost their hair.