Monday, August 24, 2015

Introducing Gliding Hope!

Schnapps and I are gearing up for colder weather and getting boxes of chemo caps ready to ship out to hospitals and treatment centers soon.  His latest hat is made with KnitPicks Brava Bulky and is a toasty warm, super soft cap suitable for men and women!  Instructions for all yarn weights are below.  



We just keep getting busier and busier, which is a good thing, although we wish there were not so many in need.  We have a seemingly unending need for chemo caps and blankets for kids in crisis.  

All costs are paid for out of our pocket and shipping costs have sky rocketed lately.  We want to keep posting patterns for free to help the most amount of people possible, but some patterns will be purchase only to help defray our costs.  There is a donate now button on the right hand side of this page.  All pattern sales are also really donations, since 100% of pattern prices go directly back into the charities.  Purchasing from our Etsy store is another way to help us cover shipping and supply costs.  Whether you donate hats or blankets, send us good thoughts, tell people about us or donate financially, you are greatly appreciated!!

And don't forget about Operation Bottle Beanies!  We are collecting tiny hats that will be placed on jars and bottles at Fifer's Farm Store in the Fall. From olive oil bottles up to quart size mason jars and all sizes in between! These hats will be sold and 100% of that money will be donated to keep people in Delaware warm this winter.  Yes, it is just for Delaware right now, but Schnapps and I are dreaming big.......we hope that someday it reaches well beyond our tiny state.  

We need LOTS of tiny hats!  We need themed hats for Fall and Winter such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and more.  We need farm themed hats like bee hives, pumpkins, apples, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables.  We need adorable hats of any theme or type!  Sizes vary since there are many different items sold in the store; apple butter, local honey,  jams, oils, pickles and so many other yummy things.  Please help us with this special project that is very important to Schnapps and me.

Hats can be sent directly to:
DEHH
202 Acorn Forest Drive
Felton, DE 19943

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!
Gliding Hope
You will need 5 weight yarn and size 10 US circular needles and dpns or some other combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 70 stitches, 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 for about 1.5 inches

Work Pattern:
Rows 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 & 16:  knit all stitches
Row 3:  *k6, p1, k1, p1, k5*  ; repeat around
Row 4:  *k5, p2, k1, p2, k4*  ; repeat around
Row 5:  *k4, p3, k1, p3, k3*  ; repeat around
Row 6:  *k3, p4, k1, p4, k2*  ; repeat around
Row 11:  *k1, p1, k11, p1*  ; repeat around
Row 12:  *k1, p2, k9, p2*  ; repeat around
Row 13:  *k1, p3, k7, p3*  ; repeat around
Row 14:  *k1, p4, k5, p4*  ; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 16 until piece measures 6.5 to 7.5 inches in length.  End on either Row 8 or Row 16.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:*k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5: *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6: *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 special who may find themselves in need of some hope right now!

If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 42 for a small adult hat or 56 for a larger adult hat. 

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 112 stitches. 

The pattern is worked over 14 stitches.