Schnapps

Schnapps
Our mascot - ALWAYS!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Introducing Love Under Wraps

Schnapps was looking through our yarn stash and found these 2 colors of Lion Brand Organic Cotton.  He decided to see how they worked together and Love Under Wraps (thanks Lani, for the name!) was created.  We hope you like it.  

This pattern has a ton of potential for various color combinations.  This yarn has a bit of texture to it, which looks lovely (we think) but we think it will also look great in a smoother fiber.  It is deceptively simple.....you're just slipping a couple of stitches each row to create the effect.  Have fun with it and make some happiness to give to others!





Some of you may have noticed that negative comments are being deleted.  If you don't like the format of this blog or you think that the colors don't work together, please don't bother to post a comment about it.  If you have a genuine question, feel free.  I answer those that I am able, although I can not give individual knitting lessons via blog comments.  The world has enough horror and hatred and darkness.........this page is for spreading some happiness to those who need it most.  You are not obligated to be here, nor are you obligated to use any of my free patterns.

"It's so hot, I can only be out for a few minutes!  In the shade!

 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!

If you are have not purchased any patterns or any fundraiser items recently, please consider making a donation using the link on right side of this page to help us pay for postage and supply costs.   We are getting ready to ship out LOTS of hats to cancer centers for the Fall.  You can see where our hats go by visiting our website:  www.delawareheadhuggers.org

 


 Love Under Wraps

You will need 5-weight yarn and size US 10 circular needles.

Abbreviations:

s2: slip 2 stitches purlwise, holding yarn in back
s2wyif: slip 2 stitches purlwise, holding yarn in front
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 66 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A
Row 1:   knit all stitches
Row 2:   purl all stitches
Repeat Rows 1 & 2  until your work measures about 2 to 2.5 inches in length. 

Work Pattern Band of Hat

Color B  
Rows 1 & 2:  *k4, s2*  repeat around

Color A
Row 3:  *k4, s2*; repeat around
Row 4:  *p4, s2wyif*; repeat around

Color B  
Rows 5 & 6:  *k1, s2, k3*  repeat around

Color A
Row 7:  *k1, s2, k3*; repeat around
Row 8:  *p1, s2wyif, p3*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 8 , ending on a Row 4 or 8 when your piece is 7 to 7.5 inches in length. 

Work Top of Hat Using Color A: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:   knit all stitches
Rows 2 and all even rows:   purl all stitches
Row 3:   *k4, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 5:   *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:   * k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 9:   * k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 11:   *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 share.


If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48. 

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 84. 

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.  

The pattern is worked over a multiple of 6 stitches. 


Experiment with many colors and enjoy!
 

Monday, July 18, 2016

Introducing the Smooth Sailing Scarf! It works with any yarn!

Schnapps made me a light-weight cotton and line blend scarf to help cover my neck when I'm out in the sun.  This is such a simple scarf......and can easily be made with any type of yarn.  The lacy design gives it some texture and interest, but it's just all garter stitch, similar to the Shawl for All, which was his inspiration.  Once you cast on, there is no counting, no worrying about which row you are on, absolutely no problems at all.  Smooth sailing from cast on to cast off!


You could make one of these to match the Beach Day hat.  You'll be protected, face and neck from the sun.  You could also make this in a super bulky yarn and have a cute winter accessory.  Or use lace weight yarn and make a delicate scarf to dress up any outfit.  Your choice of needle will be what makes this scarf light and airy, no matter what yarn you use.

We used CotLin yarn from Knit Picks for this model.  It's a 3-weight yarn that is cool and comfy and easy to care for.  This scarf used less than one 123 yard skein.  Depending on what yarn you use and how wide you want to make it, your yardage will change.  Experiment with it and see what you come up with.  Add stripes if you like.... customize it and have fun.

Schnapps reminds everyone to wear sunscreen and wear protective clothing!

 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!


Smooth Sailing Scarf


You will need 3 weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles.  Scarf is knit flat, but the circulars are needed to accommodate the large number of stitches.   

This scarf is about 9 feet long and about 3 inches wide.....which was what we wanted.  If you want a shorter scarf, cast on fewer stitches......I doubt you'd want a longer one, but if you do, cast on more stitches.  Just be sure to use a needle that is several sizes larger than your yarn calls for.

Cast on 227 stitches.

Knit every row until you like the width.

Cast off knit-wise.

That's it! 
 

If you are using different yarn, adjust accordingly.  


For 1-weight  or 2-weight, use size 8 or 9 needles. 

For 4-weight yarn, use size 17 needles. 

For 5-weight yarn, use size 35 needles.

For 6-weight yarn, use size 50 needles.



Cast on depending on how long you want your scarf to be. 

Nothing is exact.........experiment and have fun!













Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Introducing Beach Day!

Summer is in full swing here in Delaware now.  Temperatures this week are supposed to be super hot, so Schnapps and I will be hiding inside and knitting.  He made this sun hat last week and wanted to share it with everyone.
 


The model was knit using 2 strands of Knit Picks CotLin yarn which we love.  It's cool, crisp and so nice to work with.  Plus it's machine washable!  You could easily work this using one strand of 3 weight yarn and smaller needles or using 5 weight yarn.........we have included instructions for those variations as well.

Adding a wire to the brim would make the brim more sturdy.  Just whip stitch it in or crochet it in for the added stability.  Since we are donating this one, we left the wire out so that it is softer for a patient who will receive it.

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!



Beach Day
 You will need 3-weight yarn and size 10.5 circular needles or some other combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using 2 strands of Color A, cast on 100 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Row 1:   *k8, k2tog*; repeat around
Rows 2 and all even rows:  knit all stitches
Row 3:   *k7, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:   *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:   *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 8:   knit all stitches

Repeat Row 8  until piece is about 4.5 inches in length.

Work Pattern of Hat Using Color B: 
Rows 1, 2, 5 & 6:  knit all stitches
Rows 3 & 4:   *p2, k2*; repeat around
Rows 7 & 8:   *k2, p2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1-8 until your work measures about 8.0 to 8.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 4 or Row 8.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k4, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 2:   *k3, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 3:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4:   *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:   *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 share. 

 You could easily add a wire to the brim by whip stitching it in or crocheting it in.  This would give your brim a more sturdy feel.

Use a cotton or cotton blend yarn.

This would work well with just 1 color too.

Experiment and enjoy!

You could easily use one strand of 5-weight yarn instead of 2 strands of 3 weight yarn.

You could use one strand of 3 weight yarn and size 5 needles and cast on 200 stitches.  Follow the rest of the pattern as written, repeating the last row of the crown decrease as desired.