Chemo Head Scarves

Cotton Pre-tied with Height – Great for Chemo!

By B. Levi

Many women purchase headcoverings to help them deal with hair loss following chemotherepy treatments.

Why does Chemo cause hair loss?

Chemotherapy is currently the main tool used to battle cancer. It is usually a drug which destroys the cancerous cells in the body. Unfortunately it also destroys “good” cells, thereby damaging the hair follicles making hair loss an inevitable side effect of this treatment. There are a great many options available for women in this situation and each women is encouraged to make sure she finds the one that is best for her and makes her feel most comfortable. If a woman chooses to use head scarves or headwraps during chemo there are some important things to keep in mind.

There are two major problems with scarves, one is “slickness” the other is itch. Let’s tackle slickness. Scarves made from satin or silk or any material with a slick texture will usually have a difficult time staying in place on one’s head. Either avoid them completely or use a “wigrip” or cotton undercover – 2 different products that eliminate “slippage”.

The next thing to bear in ming is comfort. Many wool fabrics will itch and unnatural polyesters in in many cases are not “breathable” and will cause excessive uncomfort. In light of these facts, it is usually best for women undergoing chemo to purchase headscarves made from natural fibers such as linen or cotton that will allow the scalp to breathe. If the place you are buying your headscarf from does not list the fabric type, don’t hesitate to call them up and inquire before buying.

In closing, we hope all who purchase headscarves due to hair loss from chemo only have to use them very temporarily and get their hair and healthy bodies back as quick as possible!

(Sources include articlesnatch, american cancer society, and others)

Babushka Headscarves

Babushkas Head Scarves

Headscarves have tons of different names and one of the most interesting ones is the term Babushka.

What is a babushka? Typically, a Babushka is a 3 foot long head scarf that is folded into a triangle and then tied under the chin.

How did Babushka’s get their name?

Well the term Babushka is really the Russian word used for Grandmother and it is still quite typical for elderly women in Russia to cover ther hair with a headscarf in this manner.

However don’t think for a minute that giving head scarves the name Babushka means that headscarves can’t be cool ‘cause not cool “Babushka’s are sooo yesterday.

In June of 2011 NPR ran a story of some very very cool Babushkas. A group of elderly Russian women all widowed from the village of Buranovo in the Udmurt Republic formed a band that was pretty good. They became somewhat of a sensation in Russia started giving concerts around the country. Eventually they scored an invite to the Eurovision contest and they showed up on the flashy Eurovision set clad in their taditional Urdmurt clothing, Long dresses, and yup, Babushka headscarves.

No they didn’t win that year’s Eurovision contest but they did prove that headscarves - especially Babushka Headscarves – are really cool!

Very Multi-Functional Head Scarves!

Head Scarves

My headscarf doubled as a pot holder today. No, not the one on my head… The one my toddler pulled out of the headscarves drawer!

Did you know that head scarves are multi functional? I didn’t either - that is till I had kids. Kids find the most unique uses for the most ordinary objects. Apparently my pot holder ended up serving some more IMPORTANT use in the playroom, (where I found it  later in the evening) so the head scarf that was doubling as a doll blanket served the purpose of pot holder as well.

All kidding aside, headscarves and Tichels can be used for a variety of uses for adults as well. A Tichel can accessorize an outfit when tied as a neck scarf, shawl or belt. Take it along on an outing where it can serve as a makeshift table cloth. Or even around the house it can serve the purpose of temporary curtains, or an accent table runner for a party.

So next time you see a head scarf in a pattern that catches your fancy, think of all the wonderful ways you can use it, and if all else fails…give it to the kids!

How To Tie A Tichel – Butterfly Style

The “butterfly” tie a great and original way to tie a headscarf. It’s light weight and very comfortable to wear. It gives a great spring or summery look and brings tying headscarves to a different level. It’s a style using two head scarves to create one custom head covering giving it a more fashionable look.

1.    When tying our headscarf butterfly style we experimented using a fringed headscarf over a simple, not fringed head scarf. Our model is wearing the Israeli Tichel with Flower Design in peach as the head scarf on the bottom.  Take your square headscarf and fold it into a triangle. Gently put it over your head. You should have a tail hanging on either side of your head and a tail hanging down by your neck.

2.    Our model is wearing the Basic Israeli Tichel with Lurex and Fringes in white as the second head scarf. Take your square headscarf and fold it into a triangle. Gently put it over your head the same way as the first one however, place it about one inch further back than the first scarf.

3.    Now, take the one inch part from the first headscarf that is sticking out and slowly and carefully fold it over the second head scarf forming a band with height.

4.    Finally, take all four tails (two from each side) and tie them tightly in the back of your neck to ensure your head scarf is strong and secure.

Hats, Hats, Everywhere…Even in our Speech!

Womens Hats have somehow made it into our everyday language!

Hats have been around for ages and have touched all segments of society. The popularity of hats have led to an amazing amount of expressions that include the word hat. To demonstrate we’ve put together a compostion centered around the word hat.Have you ever heard of edible hats?! Well if you have, “I’ll eat my hat”. Actually, I think I can think of some “at the drop of a hat”. How about the Hamantaschen? If you haven’t yet tasted this triangular filled cookie – you’ve been missing out. It’s a delicious cookie or pastry filled with any filling of your choice. The most typical ones are the chocolate or jelly, yet there are plenty more flavors that people have enjoyed tasting. This cookie is in the shape of a hat in remembrance to Haman’s hat. Now, I’m sure I can come up with another one or two but “I’ll keep those under my hat” and see what you can come up with! Gosh, I’m totally “talking through my hat”, I can’t think of any other edible hat although I could probably use my imagination and make some up if I had too. However, I’ll start to “pass the hat around” and collect some of your ideas; a penny for your thoughts! Now, don’t “throw your hat” at it just yet, give it a try and find the originality that lies within you! Alright, it doesn’t have to be the most brilliant idea or invention; it can be an “old hat” if that’s the only thing you can come up with. So, if your one of those that will give it a try “Hats off to you!!!”

It’s amazing how the word “HAT” made it into our vocabulary even when we’re talking nothing about a hat, head or even body! The only reason I can come up with is because hats are so comfortable to wear that we feel so comfortable just saying it whenever, however and to whoever! Plus there is a hat for every occasion, just think of womens hats, fedoras, caps, chaponnes and more. Obviously that is not the reason but I’m sure there’s a reason I just don’t know! Alright, you’re probably just edging to know what all those sayings on the first paragraph mean, so let me get to the point.

- I’ll eat my hat : I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens

- At the drop of a hat : without hesitation or delay

- Keep (something) under one’s hat : to keep (something) a secret

- Talk through one’s hat : a. to talk foolishly b. to deceive, bluff or lie

- Pass the hat round : to collect something (usually money)

- Throw one’s hat : to give up

- Old hat : something stale, lame or old-fashioned

- Take off one’s hat : to admire or congratulate

- My hat: a. my word b. nonsense

- Out of a hat: a. by magic b. at random