Knitting with Schnapps: November 2014

Monday, November 17, 2014

Boot Topper Patterns - for sale only!

Schnapps has gotten lots of requests for his boot topper patterns, so I finally helped him type them up today. We put 4 different patterns in one e-book "Knitting with Schnapps: Boot Toppers" that is selling for $6.50. Each pattern has instructions for sport, worsted, chunky and super bulky weight yarn as well as how to adjust the size if needed.

We checked prices for patterns and found that many patterns are $6 or up just for one pattern, so we think this is still a good deal. Plus, all pattern sales are used to support Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids. All support is most appreciated!

They can be purchased from our Ravelry store

or from our Craftsy store or by using the links to the right of the 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!

Schnapp's Mobius Shawl!

Schnapps and I have been looking at some of the new cowls and shawls that are out this year. We have never watched Outlander, but hear that many great knit designs are seen on that show. All the patterns we saw called for yarn or needles that we didn't have readily available, so Schnapps spent his Football Sunday making this. I wasn't sure that I would like it, but it is actually very comfortable and toasty warm and it looks cute too. Wide enough to cover your shoulders, but not long enough to get in my way while you are knitting!

Since everyone else seemed to like it also, we figured we would share our pattern with you. This is easily knit by a beginner.

Schnapps used Homespun Thick and Quick and this used less than one skein. Using size 19 needles give the finished fabric an airy, flowing feel without sacrificing warmth.

Cast on 27 stitches.

Knit all stitches in every row until your piece is 31 to 33 inches in length. This is the length that worked well for me. If you have wider shoulders, just knit a few more rows and make it longer.

Bind off all stitches keeping tension even.

Place bind off and cast on rows together. Flip one side over to form the twist and seam.

Fluff it out and arrange it - this honestly took me longer than it took Schnapps to knit the whole thing!

Slide it over your shoulders and stay warm. Or, better yet, give it as a gift to someone special.

See? Super simple and super quick!

Use needles that are a couple of sizes larger than what your yarn

calls for to keep the fabric draping nicely.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 45.

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 10 needles and cast on 60.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 84 stitches.

This pattern can be worked over any number of stitches, so

adjust it to your preferences!

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Introducing Flame of Hope

Schnapps finished a new hat and we love it so much that we had to share it. The color influenced a lot of name suggestions, but we think this would look just as impressive in any other color.

This is knit using super bulky yarn and we did not include variations for other yarn weights, because it would not look the same at all. We did only the one pattern panel for a striking contrast to the reverse stockinette. Since this panel is worked over the first 9 cast on stitches, you can still easily adapt the size by adjusting the number of cast on stitches.

*** You could use 2 strands of worsted weight or 4-weight yarn held together as one also. ***


Schnapps sends tail wags to all!

I want to just reinforce that you MUST link to this page if posting about this pattern elsewhere. You are not allowed to copy the pattern and post it someplace else. Please do not make us regret our decision to share this pattern.

We are asking that anyone who uses this pattern please make a hat for someone battling cancer. This time of year, the requests for hats is high and there are so many who really need a warm hat to help them through. Obviously, we can't know for sure if you are following our wishes, but it seems like the least you can do if you are using this pattern to make gifts for friends or family. If you don't know where to give you hats, feel free to send them to us at Delaware Head Huggers and we will get them to those who need them.

Flame of Hope

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

Abbreviations:

kB1: knit in the back loop
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one
p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 44 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:

Row 1, 2 & 3: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Row 4: purl all stitches

The pattern is worked over the first stitches. All other stitches are purled for every row.

Work Pattern:

Foundation Row: p1, k1, p5, k1, p1, purl to end of row
Row 1: p1, kB1, p2 (k1, kB1 four times) in next stitch, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 2: p1, k1, p2, k8, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 3: p1, kB1, p2, k6, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 4: p1, k1, p2, k7, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 5: p1. kB1. p2, k5, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 6: p1, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 7: p1, kB1, p2, k4, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 8: p1, k1, p2, k5, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 9: p1, kB1, p2, k3, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 10: p1, k1, p2, k4, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 11: p1, kB1, p2, k2, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 12: p1, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 13: p1, kB1, p2, k1, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 14: p1, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p1, purl to end
Row 15: p1, kB1, p2, k2tog, p2, kB1, p1, purl to end
Row 16: p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1, purl to end

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed

Row 1: purl all stitches
Row 2: *p2 p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *p1, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *p2tog*; 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 special who needs a warm hug!

This pattern is worked over the first NINE stitches of your cast on row. To adjust the size, you would simply cast on fewer or more stitches. Stay in multiples of 4 to keep the ribbed brim and crown decrease the same.

This hat fits an average adult head. To make it smaller, cast on 36 or 40 stitches. To make it larger cast on 48 or 52 stitches. Decrease or increase in multiples of 4 to further adapt.

The first 9 stitches will be used for the panel. The rest will be purled in every row.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Latest Updates!

Schnapps and I are excited to tell everyone that we are now up to 15,101 chemo caps and counting! Unfortunately, there are so many people who need hats that as many as we can make are being used and more are needed. Please be sure that you help your local cancer center as much as possible, or send hats for us to distribute, especially with the cold weather approaching.

Kozy Kovers for Kids is up to 1,549 blankets for foster care children and kids in crisis. Together, we really are making a huge difference!

I know that many of you look to our patterns to make things for local charities and we think that is marvelous! Please let us know the different places where you donate things made from our patterns - we love to hear about how something tiny, like a hat pattern, can ripple out and touch so many lives.

Schnapps and I will continue to do our part and make lots of hats and ship out all the hats that come in. We will be posting new patterns in 2015, if not sooner, I am sure. He's got lots of ideas, but we've been busy.

Schnapps and his spooky cookie on Halloween!

For those of you who insist on being rude or combative or just plain ignorant, please know that you will be blocked and ignored. I've noticed over the past few years that there is a certain type of person who gets angry when they hear of other people sharing with and giving to others. I can't imagine having that mindset. It must be awful for you and those who have to spend time around you. Luckily though, I can block and ignore those of you who send me mean emails and post rude comments. I do not owe anyone anything at all. I am not hurting anyone with what I do and those of you who think it is unfair of me to stipulate that my patterns should not be used for personal financial gain need to look deep into yourself and figure out why it's so important to use a charity pattern for your own monetary gain.

I will continue to do this because I enjoy doing it. I will not stop simply because you have issues. The fact that these people take the time to harass me shows me that they have way too much free time on their hands. Imagine how great it would be if instead of being argumentative, they picked up some yarn and made a difference for someone. Sadly, that type of person is only thinking about herself - not about others at all. So, if you post something rude and find yourself blocked -you know why. If you send me an irate email demanding that you be allowed to profit from my work, know that you will not get a response, you will be deleted and blocked from ever contacting me again.

Schnapps and I get much happiness from creating and distributing chemo caps and blankets to those who need them and no one is going to take away our joy.

We are also almost all set for our first craft fair this coming Saturday. We've been making tons of things and hope to have a successful sale so that we can continue to focus on Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids full time.

Here are some pictures of some of the things we will be selling. We have LOTS to bring and set up. Luckily my Dad made us some displays to use too!