Schnapps

Schnapps
Our mascot - ALWAYS!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Introducing Winsome Warmth - A Dozen Hat Patterns!

Schnapps and I finally completed putting together the latest e-book. Thank you to those of you who have been asking about it!

Winsome Warmth - A Dozen Hat Patterns is now available.  This book contains 4 never before published patterns as well as 8 blog patterns in easy to access PDF form. The e-book is selling for $6.50.  100% of all pattern sales is used to support Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids.  The money is used to pay for shipping costs and supplies.  

The new e-book can be purchased using the link to the right of this page or by going to my Ravelry or Craftsy stores.  Both stores are also linked to the right of the page.

Thank you to all who support us in any way!

Winsome Warmth Patterns!

Four Never Before Published Patterns:   
These patterns are also available separately for $2.00 each.  They can be found in my Ravelry and Craftsy stores.


Rick-Racked

Steps of Hope
Inspired Hope
Bee in a Bonnet

f you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.  

Monday, August 18, 2014

Introducing Hopeful Trails!

Schnapps has been busy knitting things for the craft fair, but his true calling is making hats, so he's been making several in between other items.  Some will be sold, but many will be sent off with the other chemo caps that we ship.  Colder weather is coming, so please, think about making and donating some chemo caps - to us or to your local cancer center - there is a huge need!

I will be posting more patterns for sale soon - patterns are a fund raiser for us - remember that all hats are shipped completely free of charge by me.  The pattern sales are used to help cover postage and supply costs. Please help if you can.  There are links to my Ravely and Craftsy stores as well as a Donate here button to the right as well.  Every little bit truly does help.


We are in need of hats of all colors, sizes and styles.  The requirements are that the hats are new and handmade – no store bought items are accepted.  Hats should be free of pet hair, come from a smoke free environment and if laundered, should be washed with unscented detergents.  Absolutely no scented dryer sheets should be used please.  People undergoing chemotherapy are very sensitive to scented items and we don’t want to make them ill.  These guidelines are universal - and if you donate directly to centers, they do not have the ability to wash the hats, so they may be given away or thrown out so that they don't make the patients sick.

Someone on Facebook had a problem with the request of not using scented dryer sheets and told me that I should be more than happy to wash every single hat that comes in.  Please realize that so far, more than 14,250 chemo caps have gone through my home.  I do not have the time nor the resources to wash each hat.  If they are heavily scented they can not be sent out to people who need them.  I know that everyone wants their hats to be loved and used.  Most people aren't aware of the chemical sensitivities of others, so I just wanted to pass along the info.

 If you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.  

Schnapps is keeping busy!
 
 Hopeful Trails


 You will need 6 weight yarn and size 13 needles or another combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one.
p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together as one.

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:

Row 1:  *k3, p1*; repeat around

Row 2:  p1, *k1, p3*; repeat from * to * around.  You will end with p2.

Repeat Rows 1 - 2 until piece is 7 to 7.5 inches in length.


Decrease Crown:
Row 1: *k2tog, k1, p1 *; repeat around
Row 2: *k1, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k2tog*; repeat around


Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in ends and give this hat along with some hugs, hope and love, to someone!

 
The pattern is worked over 4 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10 needles and cast on 60 stitches. 

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 80 stitches. 

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 4 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches. 
 



  

Thursday, August 7, 2014

A Shawl for All

Schnapps and I are working on items for our craft fair in November and we've been sharing photos on Facebook.  Many people are asking for the pattern for this triangle shawl, so I thought it would be easiest to post it here for all to see.

Before we do though, we have the very sad news to share that our friend Jennifer passed away on August 4, 2014.  She was a truly remarkable woman who was so full of happiness and life.  Please send some love to her family, especially her husband and please try to honor her by living a life that is happy and focused on helping others.

Jennifer just turned 30 in March and she just got married on July 6 - fulfilling her last wish.  She lived her life with strength, grace and dignity.  We met through DEHH and only knew each other online........I wish that I had been able to meet her in person.  I am honored that she considered me a friend.

Please take a few moments and read about her - she inspired so many.  http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/08/her_smile_lights_up_a_room_fli.html

If you are able to help her family at all, here is a link to a Fundrazr page.  


   If you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.  


This is NOT an original pattern - this pattern can be found all over the place.  We're sharing our versions with you, but we did NOT design it.  


Knit using worsted weight yarn and size 17 needles to 70 stitches.

Knit using Moonlight Mohair yarn and size 17 needles to 75 stitches.

Knit using 5-weight yarn and size 19 needles to 60 stitches.

Knit using 5-weight yarn and size 17 needles to 80 stitches.

This pattern is exceptionally versatile.  And extremely simple.  Have fun with it!  This can also be used as a scarf or wrapped around a head.  :)

I used one skein of Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and I got 2 shawls out of one skein of Lion Brand's Homespun.  The worsted weight yarn I used wasn't labelled, so I am not sure what it was, but I would guess I had about 200 yards or so. 

Before you knit this, please be sure to read Jennifer's story and help if you can.  Take a moment to find happiness and to send some love to her husband, family and friends.

Cast on 3 stitches.

Row 1:  Knit front and back of first stitch, knit to last stitch, knit front and back of last stitch.

Repeat Row 1, increasing 2 stitches in every row for as long as you like.

Knit one row straight across without increasing. 

Cast off very loosely.  Go up a size in needles for casting off if it helps.


When using 17's, I've been going between 70 and 80.  Using 19's I went to 60 stitches.  Make it smaller or larger - whichever you like.  It's really that simple.