Introducing Whirls of Hope!

It's the very end of 2015.  Schnapps wanted to end the year with a hat pattern for everyone.  He actually created 2 new hats this weekend...his little paws were busy.  He has many plans for lots of new patterns in the new year too. 

Whirls of Hope is free here and Twisted Joy is for sale in our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  Both are knit with super bulky yarn, but have instructions for other yarn weights too.  

Whirls of Hope

Twisted Joy

Thank you to all who have supported and helped us this past year.  Each and every hat, blanket, bottle beanie, dollar donated and kind word truly is appreciated and truly makes a difference.  

We wanted to share some interesting facts with you as the year comes to a close.  We are hoping that 2016 brings happiness, health and kindness to everyone and that it allows us to help more people than ever before.   Join us as we try to make the world a little bit better.

Did you know?

2016 will mark the 7th year that Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids have been in existence.  Let’s all work together to make it the best year yet!

2015 was the year we collected the most blankets so far, with 399 coming in.  Can we pass 400 next year?

2010, our first year, still holds the record for chemo caps with 3,520.  In 2015, we received 3,424 chemo caps, but we also participated in tiny preemie items for Bayhealth and in Operation Bottle Beanies.  Let’s break all records in 2016!

Operation Bottle Beanies raised $480 in its first year so far.  We will be doing this again next year too.

If you want to help Delaware Head Huggers with shipping and supply costs, you can do so directly via PayPal to robin@delawareheadhuggers.org

 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 had a great Christmas!

Whirls of Hope

You will need about 70 yards of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles or some combination listed below.

 Abbreviations:

C2F: knit the second stitch, without dropping the first stitch, then knit the first and drop both from the left hand needle.

C2B: knit the second stitch through the back loop, without dropping the first stitch, then knit the first and drop both from the left hand needle.

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1  for about 2  inches.

Work Pattern:

Row 1 : *C2F, C2B, k4*; repeat around
Rows 2, 4, 6 & 8:  knit all stitches
Row 3:   *C2B, C2F, k4*; repeat around
Row 5:   *k4, C2F, C2B*; repeat around
Row 7:   *k4, C2B, C2F*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece measures 7.5 to 8  inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s 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 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.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 72.

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 88.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches.

The pattern is worked over 8 stitches.   

Introducing For a Bibliophile!

It's a week until Christmas and we're just about ready.  Presents are wrapped, the house is decorated and next week we'll be baking up a storm.  We needed a small gift for a friend who loves to read.......so Schnapps came up with this bookmark.  It's knit using KnitPicks Shine Sport yarn and size 5 needles, but you could use any yarn and needles really.......it will just change the size of the finished item.  Since many of our friends are looking for last minute gift ideas too, we thought we'd share.

I wouldn't use 5 or 6 weight yarn because it would be too large and thick, but that's just my opinion.  This one is about 11 inches long and about 2 inches wide.  It's super simple and a fast knit.  While you are at it, make an extra one for your local librarian............I'm sure they would love it.

Learn more about Delaware Head Huggers by visiting www.delawareheadhuggers.org

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  

We also have patterns available as paperbacks or a Kindle e-books from Amazon.  They can be purchased here. 

Remember to join us on our Facebook page - you can see all the beautiful hats that are donated and shipped out.   Follow along on Twitter and Instagram too!  

Our Etsy store is back up also, with a limited number of items and our digital books.

Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too and see all the gorgeous handmade blankets that are going to help children in crisis throughout our area.  

We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  

You can always reach me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too!

For a Bibliophile

This used just a small amount of 3 weight yarn and size 5 needles.

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one
yo:  yarn over
skpsso:  slip 1 stitch, knit the next, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch
sl:  slip 1 stitch
psso:  pass slipped stitch over

Cast on 53 stitches

Work Edge

Knit every stitch for 2 rows

**Every row will start and end with 2 knit stitches.  These stitches are NOT included in the pattern.  Place markers to remind yourself to knit those stitches for an even, flat edge.**

Row 1:  k4, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skpsso, k7*; repeat from * to * to last 9; k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skpsso, k4

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10: purl all

Row 3:  k3, *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skpsso, k5*; repeat from * to *  to last 10; k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skpsso, k3

Row 5:  k2, *k2tog, yo, k5, yo, skpsso, k3* repeat from * to *  to last 11, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, skpsso, k2

Row 7:  k1, *k2tog, yo, k7, yo, skpsso, k1*; repeat from * to * to end

Row 9:  k2tog, yo, k9, *yo, sl, k2tog, psso, yo, k9* repeat from * to *  to last 2, yo, skpsso 

Work Edge Again

Knit every stitch for2 rows

Finish: Bind off all stitches knit wise. 

Introducing A Textured Path and A Break in the Clouds!

It's December!  It's almost Christmas!  There is so much to be done that Schnapps and I are going full speed just about all day, every day.  Those of you who subscribe to the newsletter got the pattern for Textured Path a couple of weeks ago.  We just realized that we never shared it with everyone, so it's going up today.

We are also putting a new cowl pattern, A Break in the Clouds, up for sale.  You can purchase it directly here.  It is just $4 and all the proceeds go to Delaware Head Huggers!  It will be available in our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  Directions include information for different yarn weights as well as instructions for modifying the size.  The model was knit using one skein of Lion Brand's Wool Ease Thick and Quick......just about 106 yards and an hour or so and you have a great gift!

Close up of the stitch detail.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving - we are thankful always for your help and support.  As of November 23, we have collected and distributed 18,835 chemo caps and 1,969 blankets.  Operation Bottle Beanies is still running and we collected many items for Code Purple as well.  We did a project for Bayhealth making tiny preemie items and in February we will again be participating in Red Hats for Heart Month with A.I. duPont Children's Hospital.  It takes many, many hands and hearts to make all these projects successful and we thank each of you who help in any way.

 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!

 

Textured Path

You will need about 70 yards of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles or some combination listed below.

 

 Abbreviations:

k1bbk: knit through the back of the stitch below, then knit the stitch above.

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Cast on 49 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Row 1:  purl all stitches
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 2  to 2.5 inches

Work Pattern:

Rows 1 & 3:  knit all stitches
Row 2:  *k2tog, k2, k1bbk,k2* ; repeat around
Row 4:   *k2, k1bbk, k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece measures 7.5 to 8  inches in length.

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!

 

 If using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 70.

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 84.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches.

The pattern is worked over 7 stitches.