In honor of World Cancer Day, I’ve compiled a list of 7 quick patterns that would make great gifts for cancer patients. And they’re all free!

When someone is going through cancer and possibly chemotherapy, it’s natural to want to surround them with soft, comforting items made with love. In this post, I offer a few quick-to-knit suggestions to wrap them in works from the heart.

Most people don’t have a clear plan of what to knit next.  When choosing a new cast-on, you might search for a pattern to pair with a certain yarn you found on sale (this is TOTALLY me!).  You might have heard a podcaster or “knitfluencer” talking about the latest trendy pattern.  Or you just knit whatever new pattern your fave designer just released.  And let me tell you, friends, this is my usual way of being!  I’m very much distracted by the next shiny object I see.

*squirrel!!*

But for those of you who like systems, and like to be a little more in charge of your knitting, let’s look at a few questions to ask yourself before you cast on, or even spend a penny.

One of the most interesting parts of knitwear design is the elasticity, or stretch-ability of each stitch pattern.  Some stitch patterns are tight and stiff and strong (think Aran sweaters), some are loose, open and drapey (lace work), some are super stretchy and pliable (most ribbings).

When I came across the shell ribbing, I knew I had to do something with it.  But it’s too beautiful to relegate to the bottom of a sweater, or be overwhelmed by the design of a hat.  I fell in love with its stretchy nature on my first little swatch.  The purls stretch wide to accommodate whatever the circumference is, but the little shells remain intact and oh-so-cute!