Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Beanies, Caps & Hats!

Several people have asked about a new e-book with the latest pattern in it, so we finally got that all together and ready to go.

Beanies, Caps & Hats ($5) contains 23 patterns, 2 of which have been for purchase only.  All but one pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights and for adjusting the size.  The Navy Hug hat is designed for worsted weight yarn and we think that works best.

The e-book can be purchased by using the link to the right on this page or by going to my Ravelry store or my Craftsy store.  Those links are also to the right of this page.

Here are photos of the included patterns:




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.  We love to hear from everyone!


Delaware Head Huggers  

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Monday, September 23, 2013

Introducing Oceans of Hope!

Hi Everyone!  It's been a while since a new pattern was put up.  I apologize.  I have been a bit under the weather and Schnapps is such a good nurse that he makes it his priority to take care of me rather than knit.  He has managed to get a few plain hats done and he's started on a series for a new e-book of Football Hats.  So, he's been busy, even if we haven't been posting much.

This hat was knit using 5-weight Yarn Bee First Love yarn in Misty.  One skein is probably enough for 2 hats, although we haven't tried that yet.  But we do have lots left over!  Many people thought the pattern looked like waves or dolphins or the ocean, so Oceans of Hope is the name.

Our new fundraiser will be a new "Football Hats" e-book later in the football season.  So far, we're in Week 3 and Schnapps has 3 new patterns that work up super fast and are very simple, so they are perfect for working on during the game.  Here are some preliminary photos of those hats.



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.  We love to hear from everyone!

Oceans of Hope


You will need 5-weight yarn and size 10.5 circular needles and dpns or some combination of needles and yarn listed below.

 Abbreviations:
yo:  yarn over
skp:  slip one stitch, knit the next stitch and pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch and off the needle
k2tog:  holding working yarn as if to knit, knit 2 stitches together as one
sk2p:  slip one stitch, knit the next 2 stitches together and pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch and off the needle

Cast on 68 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Stockinette:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is 1.5 inches in length

Work Pattern:
Row 1:  *k1, yo, k3, skp, p5, k2tog, k3, yo, k1*; repeat around
Row 2:  *k6, p5, k6*; repeat around
Row 3:  *k2, yo, k3, skp, p3, k2tog, k3, yo, k2*; repeat around
Row 4:  *k7, p3, k7*; repeat around
Row 5:  *k3, yo, k3, skp, p1, k2tog, k3, yo, k3*; repeat around
Row 6:  *k8, p1, k8*; repeat around
Row 7:  *k4, yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo, k4*; repeat around
Row 8:  knit all stitches
Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece is about 7.5  inches in length

Decrease Crown:
Row 1: *k8, k2tog, k7*; repeat around
Row 2: *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5: *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:  *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 8:  *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 enjoy!


The pattern is worked over 17 stitches.

To knit this using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 51 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 85 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 68 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 17 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 119 stitches.  



Delaware Head Huggers  
 
Kozy Kovers for Kids

 

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Introducing Salt Water Taffy!

Schnapps and I were asked recently about making a lightweight, airy hat for someone who is undergoing chemo and feeling hot all the time.  So, Schnapps put his thinking cap on and got knitting and this is what he came up with.  We thought it looked like salt water taffy......just based on the colors.......I could just see all those pastel colored wrapped candies lined up in a box when I looked at it.  And since it's a light weight hat and I associate salt water taffy with summertime, I thought it would work.



We used Sugar 'n Cream in Lava Lamp for this, again since it was made for someone who is feeling too warm all the time, but you could use any worsted weight yarn.  I've included adaptations for different weights as well, but I'm not sure how often you'd want to make this pattern in a heavy weight yarn.......  We used just about a yard or two of a second skein, so you might want to have 2 skeins on hand if you use Sugar 'n Cream.  Otherwise, about 100 yards of any worsted weight yarn should work. 

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.  We love to hear from everyone!

We wanted to tell you that at last count, we were up to 11,117 chemo caps and 524 Finn Hats!  More come in every week!
Schnapps is all set for football season with plenty of yarn for hats!


Salt Water Taffy
You will need about 100 yards of worsted weight yarn and size US 8 circular needles and dpns or some other combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
yo:  yarn over
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 80 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Stockinette:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures about 1.5 inches in length. 

Work Pattern:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Row 2:  purl all stitches
Row 3 :  knit all stitches
Row 4 :  *yo, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:  knit all stitches
Row 6:  purl all stitches
Row 7:  knit all stitches
Row 8:  *k2tog, yo*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece is about 6.5 to 7.5 inches in length or longer if you want a slouchier hat.

Decrease Crown: use dpns when needed
Row 1:  *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2:  *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3:  *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4:  *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:  *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6:  *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:  *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 it to someone who could use a cap without needing the extra warmth.

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches.  The crown decrease is worked over 8 stitches.

To  knit this using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 64 stitches. 

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 9 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches.



Delaware Head Huggers  

Kozy Kovers for Kids