Knitting with Schnapps

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, June 22, 2012

Introducing The Angel Kisses Cap!

Week 25 and I've finished 2 more new patterns! The first will be for the calendar and I will post The Angel Kiss Cap pattern here.

It's been super hot this week! Schnapps and I prefer the cold weather, so we are not enjoying it at all. Schnapps is managing to stay cool though.......

This week has brought a lot of news about people struggling with cancer. Extra thoughts and prayers for Karen, my friend who had her surgery and is waiting to find out her next step, for Nicole who began a transplant and is facing several weeks of isolation away from her infant son, for Brenda who is fighting lung cancer that has metastasized to her brain, Ryan who is fighting leukemia and is also in isolation during a transplant and so very many more.................

I've had the pleasure of hearing from people in Florida, Massachusetts, Arizona, California and a multitude of other states this week as well. People are making hats and donating them where they are needed! Delaware Head Huggers reached 6,830 hats and more came in from the library today. I'm hoping that we pass 7,000 in June! Kozy Kovers for Kids just tagged blanket number 806 too! We'll be making deliveries of blankets this week both to a foster care agency and to the Emergency Department to give to children in crisis.

Speaking to all these different people and seeing how many people need caps and blankets makes me realize how important it is that I keep knitting! I hope you do too.

Here is the hat for the calendar. It still isn't named, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment or email me.

This next hat is called Angel Kisses. Thank you Beth for that name! I started this thinking it would be an adult size, but it turned out much smaller........baby size really......about 16 inches in circumference.

If you want to make this for an adult, you could always just cast on twice as many stitches. Or you could move up to a 5 weight yarn and size 10.5 and 11 needles. The pattern is in multiples of 6 +1 in case you want to tweak it more. I hope you like it!

Angel Kisses Cap

*** Knit this hat loosely, but be sure to tighten your first stitch of each round. If your join appears too loose, use a mattress stitch to tighten the seam. This stitch is simple, but may irritate your wrist, so plan to take breaks during knitting. ***

You Need:

Worsted Weight Yarn – between 100 and 150 yards

Size 9 circular needles

Size 10 circular needles

Abbreviations:

P5TM5: purl 5 stitches together and make 5

Purl 5 stitches together, but don’t drop them off your left hand needle. Bring the yarn behind the right needle (similar to a yarn over) and purl through the same 5 stitches again (3 stitches now). Again bring the yarn behind the right needle and purl the 5 stitches again. Now you can drop the original 5 from the left hand needle and you will have 5 stitches on your right hand needle.

P3TM3: purl 3 stitches together and make 3

Purl 3 stitches together, but don’t drop them off your left hand needle. Bring the yarn behind the right needle (similar to a yarn over) and purl through the same 3 stitches again. Now you can drop the original 3 from the left hand needle and you will have 3 stitches on your right hand needle.

K2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one for a decrease

Cast on 67 stitches on size 9 needles, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Purl all stitches

Repeat Row 1 & 2 two more times for a total of 6 rows of garter stitch

Work Pattern: Switch to size 10 needles for the rest of hat.

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: P1, *P5TM5, P1*; repeat around row

Row 3: Knit all stitches

Row 4: P3TM3, P1, *P5TM5, P1*; repeat from * to * to last 3 stitches, P3TM3

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 until hat is about 6 to 7 inches long. Make it larger or smaller if you wish.

Decrease Crown:

Row 1: K2tog, K3, K2tog, *K4, K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 2: *K3, K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 3: *K2, K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row

Finish:

Cut working yarn leaving a tail. Draw the tail through the stitches left on the needle. Cinch tightly and secure.

To make this larger, feel free to cast on twice as many stitches – that should work for an adult size hat.

Or use 5-weight yarn and size 10.5 and 11 needles.

Or use 6-weight yarn and size 11 and 13 needles.

The pattern is in multiples of 6 +1, so feel free to tweak it how ever you wish!

Happy Knitting!!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Introducing The Checkered Embrace Chemo Cap! It's Reversible too!

Here is the pattern for the latest chemo cap. This week has brought some beautiful thank you notes from people as well as some requests for many prayers as well. Please, if you all would, say an extra prayer for my friend Karen who was just diagnosed with oral cancer.

This hat was supposed to look like ladders.........at least in my imagination, but it looks more like a checkerboard on one side and a basket on the other. I prefer the checkerboard, but either works well as a chemo cap and as long as you take care in your finishing, a fully reversible hat is easily created.

The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF. If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want. Don't hesitate to send me an email letting me know of any person or treatment center in need of caps. If you are knitting any of my patterns, feel free to let me know how they come out and who you are making them for. I have met so many wonderful, talented people since I began this organization and I love to hear from new people all the time!

Here is the pattern! I hope you like this one too.

Schnapps approves!

And models it well!

This is my favorite side!

But this side works too!

You Will Need:

Worsted or 4-weight yarn

Size 8 circular needles

Cast on 88 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 rows.

Work Pattern:

Rows 1, 2, 3 & 4: *K5, P3*; repeat from * to * across

Rows 5, 6, 7 & 8: K1, *P3, K5*; repeat from * to * to last 4 stitches, K4

Work Rows 1 – 8 four times (or more if you want a larger cap)

Decrease Crown:

Row 1: *K9, SSK*; repeat across

Row 2: *K8, SSK*; repeat across

Row 3: *K7, SSK*; repeat across

Row 4: *K6, SSK*; repeat across

Row 5: *K5, SSK*; repeat across

Row 6: *K4, SSK*; repeat across

Row 7: *K3, SSK*; repeat across

Row 8: *K2, SSK*; repeat across

Finish:

Cut working yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw the tail through the stitches left on your needle, cinch tightly and secure. Take care with this step and the hat will be completely reversible. Weave in any loose ends and enjoy!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Goal Met - Week 24!

We're well into June and so far I've been able to meet my goal each week. This week, I created two new designs...........one for the Delaware Head Hugger calendar and one to be posted as soon as it is named!

This one is for the calendar and will probably be named Cotton Candy.

This one will be posted hopefully later today.

I also started a new blanket pattern that I think will work out nicely. I'm hoping to get a lot more of that finished this weekend.

We're almost to 7,000 hats! Only 89 more are needed and I know that at least 45 of those are in transit to me already, so I'm guessing we will pass 7,000 in June! Lots of hats have been shipped out and more are scheduled to go out next week.

Happy Knitting!!!

Spread the word about us! Tell your friends to find us on Facebook or to stop by our websites.

Delaware Head Huggers

www.delawareheadhuggers.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, June 8, 2012

Introducing The Giving Tree Chemo Cap!

Today, as I was taking The Giving Tree cap off my needles, my phone rang. It wasn't a number I recognized, but I answered anyway. On the other end was Maggie, who I sent hats to earlier in the week. She starts her chemo next week and she had just received the box......right before she went to the salon to have her hair cut. She now was headed into the salon carrying a fleece breast cancer awareness ribbon hat to wear on her way out. We both cried and I so wish I could have hugged her. In my previous post, I explained a bit about why I do this.............Maggie's call should explain it all.

Lying flat

Dawn came up with the name The Giving Tree - and I love it. Like Shel Silverstein's 'Giving Tree', this hat should give comfort without ever looking for anything in return.

In keeping with meeting my goal of at least 2 hats a week, I also designed this hat this week. It will be in the Delaware Head Huggers Calendar and as yet, is not named. But, I like it a lot and hope you do too.

Update: This dark blue hat below is Trifecta. The pattern is available in my Ravelry and Craftsy stores for $2.00 each. The pattern is also in the e-book CAP-turing Hope. 100% of all pattern sales go to shipping and supply costs for Delaware Head Huggers.

For the calendar!

For The Giving Tree I used Louisa Harding's Baby Kashmir, but any 3-weight or sport weight yarn will work. The Baby Kashmir is ultra soft and smooth and machine washable. I used a little over a 143 yard skein for this hat and size 5 needles. Lots of stitches make up this hat, but it's worth it!

The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF . If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want. Don't hesitate to send me an email letting me know of any person or treatment center in need of caps. If you are knitting any of my patterns, feel free to let me know how they come out and who you are making them for. I have met so many wonderful, talented people since I began this organization and I love to hear from new people all the time!

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 me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.

Here is the pattern!

The Giving Tree Chemo Cap

This shows the true color of the yarn I used, but any color would look great!

3-weight or sport weight yarn – I used Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby – about 175 yards

Size US 5 circular needles

Abbreviation: SSK – slip, slip, knit – slip two stitches, one at a time to the right hand needle. Insert the left hand needle into both stitches and knit them together.

Cast on 105 stitches (this pattern is worked over 15 stitches)

Work the brim:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 11 more times for a total of 24 rows of stockinette.

Work the pattern:

Row 1: * K6, P1, K1, P1, K6*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 2: *K5, P2, K1, P2, K5*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 3: *K4, P2, K3, P2, K4*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 4: *K3, P2, K5, P2, K3*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 5: *K2, P2, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P2, K2*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 6: *K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 7: *K1, P1, K2, P2, K3, P2, K2, P1, K1*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 8: *K3, P2, K5, P2, K3*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 9: *K2, P2, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P2, K2*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 10: *K2, P1, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P1, K2*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 11: *K4, P2, K3, P2, K4*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 12: *K3, P2, K5, P2, K3*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 13: *K3, P1, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P1, K3*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 14: *K5, P2, K1, P2, K5*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 15: *K4, P2, K3, P2, K4*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 16: *K4, P1, K5, P1, K4*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 17: *K6, P1, K1, P1, K6*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 18: *K5, P2, K1, P2, K5*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 19: *K5, P1, K3, P1, K5*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 20: Knit all stitches

Row 21: *K6, P1, K1, P1, K6*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 22: *K6, P1, K1, P1, K6*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 23: *K7, P1, K7*;

repeat from * to * around row

Row 24: *K7, P1, K7*;

repeat from * to * around row

Rows 25 – 36: Knit all stitches

Decrease the crown:

Row 1: *K13, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 2: *K12, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 3: *K11, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 4: *K10, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 5: *K9, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 6: *K8, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 7: *K7, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 8: *K6, SSK*; repeat from * to * around row

Finish:

Cut working yarn, leaving a tail. Draw the tail through the stitches left on the needle and cinch closed. Secure and weave in the loose ends. Share!

Updated for use with additional yarn weights

If using 6 weight yarn and size 13 needles, cast on 45 stitches and work as written.

If using 5-weight yarn and size 11 needles, cast on 60 stitches and work as written.

If using 4-weight yarn and size 8 needles, cast on 75 stitches and work as written.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Why I Do What I Do......

I’ve had a lot of people ask me why I run the 2 charities…….how I got started……why I design hats and blankets and what I ‘get’ from it. I do it because I think I was meant to do it. If that makes any sense.

My poor Mom has tried to teach me to crochet several times over the years. Each time, I have failed miserably. It’s not her……she’s taught other people successfully. It’s me. Yet, I’d always see how there was a demand for handmade items to help people in various situations. I do cross stitch, but that doesn’t really have the potential to make a difference.

So, in November of 2009 I decided that I would teach myself how to knit so that I too could make a difference. I searched for a charity that spoke to me and I found Head Huggers. My grandfather passed away from a blood disorder when I was in the 6^th grade. My aunt succumbed to breast cancer when I was in the 8^th grade. My friend Patsy’s mom also was a victim of cancer. Father James Tully, a wonderful priest and dedicated friend also lost the battle with cancer, but more recently. I truthfully do not know anyone who has not had her life touched by cancer in some way. My years of working in health care made me painfully aware of the extreme stresses of cancer treatment. I wanted to do something to help make things a little nicer, maybe give a little cheer to those dealing with this disease.

Sue Thompson, who started Head Huggers asked me to start a splinter group to serve the Delaware area………….and that’s how this all started.

Kozy Kovers for Kids began when a woman who was making hats for DEHH asked me if Delaware had any type of program that gave blankets to foster children. I researched it, learned that we did not and stepped in to try to fill a void. Foster children often have absolutely nothing of their own. When I think about all I have and all that my son has, it was a simple thing to realize that this too needed to be done. As I reached out to various agencies and organizations, I realized that there are so many children in need, entering our hospitals, battling abuse and neglect that even if I had a never ending supply of blankets, there would still be children who needed one. So, we do what we can and hope that it makes a difference.

I design hats because I have fun! I get bored with the same patterns and see an opportunity to create new things that can help. I share the patterns because the hats (and the blankets) are meant to comfort and bring hope……….and that should be shared! I truly believe that my second grade teacher Carolyn, a wonderful friend who passed away this past year from a rare blood disorder is responsible for a lot of my creativity. She always pushed me as a student to be more creative and I know that she would be so happy with what I am doing. So I guess maybe I do it for her too. I’ve actually had dreams about both her and Father Tully lately.

I am in amazement at how many wonderful, talented and special people I have met through these organizations. I’ve made friends with people I never would have had the opportunity to meet and I’ve learned so much. Yes, shipping and supplies cost money and yes, there are things that I skip buying so that all the items that come in can be sent to where they are needed. I do that because I want to do so. It is a way I can remember the people I have loved so dearly and lost as well as a way to help others who are going through treatment or suffering in some way.

Children should be happy and healthy………unfortunately, that is not always the case. If a blanket can give a little comfort, then I’ll keep on making blankets.

Cancer is a brutal disease that too many people have to battle. If a hat can give a little cheer or a little hope, then I will continue to knit hats too.

I’ve got a tremendous amount to be grateful for in my life and this is a tiny way I can give a little bit back.

The wonderful people who help me by knitting and supporting my two ‘babies’ all do so for their own reasons I am sure. But, I know for certain, that each one is a strong, compassionate and loving person who is doing it for all the right reasons too.

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us. So, spread the word! And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out. If there is a chemo center that is near and dear to your heart and you think they could use some hats, let me know and I will ship a box off to them. This is what we do!!

Delaware Head Huggers

www.delawareheadhuggers.org

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook

Friday, June 1, 2012

Introducing the Wings of Hope Chemo Cap!

Goal met for Week 22! Just took this off my needles and wanted to post the pattern before I get started on my next one. The next pattern will be going in the Delaware Head Huggers calendar, but I will post a new pattern soon too.

The pattern looked like butterflies to me and Becky suggested Wings of Hope and so it was named. This was knit with Charisma, a 5-weight yarn on size 10.5 circulars. If you want to knit it flat just check the previous post for how to adapt the pattern! :)

I am continuously amazed at how many people I have come across since starting this. I have met many people who I have been able to send caps to for themselves or their families as well as so many people who have sent hats to me. This week I received hats from New Jersey, Louisiana and Florida! It's a wonderful feeling to know that so many people care. So far, we have collected and subsequently shipped out 6,832 hats! Keep them coming in because unfortunately, there is a need for so many more.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you know a person, treatment center or hospital who could use caps. If I don't have enough on hand to ship right out, I will add them to my list and get a box to them soon.

The pattern is free, but I ask that you drop by our Facebook pages for Delaware Head Huggers and for Kozy Kovers for Kids. Come join us as we make a difference. Stop by our websites (links are below the pattern) also to see what we're up to, find out how to donate or just learn more about what we do. And please tell other people about us. The more people who know about us, the more people we can help!

Schnapps likes to hear from people too! :)

The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF . I have sent patterns to people across the US, in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands! If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want. Don't hesitate to send me an email letting me know of any person or treatment center in need of caps. If you are knitting any of my patterns, feel free to let me know how they come out and who you are making them for. I have met so many wonderful, talented people since I began this organization!

Wings of Hope Chemo Cap

You Need:

5-weight yarn – I used less than one skein of Charisma

10.5 circular needles

Cast on 61 stitches and join, taking care to not twist stitches

Knit Brim

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 2 more times for a total of 6 rows

Knit Body of Hat

Row 1: *P2, K1, P7, K1, P1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 2: P1, *P1, K1, P7, K1, P2 *; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 3: *P1, K3, P5, K3*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 4: P1, *K3, P5, K3, P1*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 5: *K5, P3, K4*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 6: K1, *K4, P3, K5*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 7: *P1, K5, P1, K5*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 8: P1, *K5, P1, K5, P1*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 9: *P2, K9, P1*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 10: P1, *P1, K9, P2*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 11: *P3, K3, P1, K3, P2*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 12: P1, *P2, K3, P1, K3, P3*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 13: *P4, K1, P3, K1, P3*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 14: P1, *P3, K1, P3, K1, P4*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 15: *P3, K3, P1, K3, P2*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 16: P1, *P2, K3, P1, K3, P3*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 17: *P2, K9, P1*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 18: P1, *P1, K9, P2*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 19: *P1, K5, P1, K5*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 20: P1, *K5, P1, K5, P1*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 21: *K5, P3, K4*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 22: K1, *K4, P3, K5*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 23: *P1, K3, P5, K3*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, P1

Row 24: P1, *K3, P5, K3, P1*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Decrease Crown:

Row 1: K2tog, *K8, SSK*; repeat from * to * to last 9 stitches, K7, SSK

Row 2: *K7, SSK*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 3: *K6, SSK*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 4: *K5, SSK*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 5: *K4, SSK*; repeat from * to * across row

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids