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.