Introducing Raspberry Mocha Swirl!

Happy Leap Day 2016!  Schnapps wanted to be sure to get this pattern out to everyone today.  We hope you made the most of the extra day this year and spread some happiness.

Spring is coming, but that doesn't mean that the need for chemo caps is over.  They are in need all year long and Schnapps has been sure to include all yarn weights when he writes up his patterns so that you can make them with whatever yarn you have on hand and whatever suits the season.

Raspberry Mocha Swirl

Schnapps has been hard at work on some new patterns for an upcoming e-book also.

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! 

 Raspberry Mocha Swirl

You will need 2 colors of 5-weight yarn and size US 10.5 circular needles and dpns.

Abbreviations:
s1wyif:  slip one stitch, purl-wise, while holding the yarn to the front of the work.
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 64 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A
Row 1:   knit all stitches
Row 2:   purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 2 to
3 inches in length.  End with a Row 1.

Work Body of Hat:
Row 1:  Color B:  *s1wyif, k3*; repeat around
Row 2:  Color B:  *k2, s1wyif, k1*; repeat around
Row 3:  Color A:  *k2, s1wyif, k1*; repeat around
Row 4:  Color A:  *s1wyif, k3*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4  until piece is about 6.5 to 7.5 inches in length.


Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:   *k2, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 3:    *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4:   * k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:    *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 share.

If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48. 

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72. 

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches.  

This  pattern is worked over 4 stitches.  Adjust accordingly for size differences.

Introducing the Bulked Up Noggin Nuzzler!

It's February already!  Apparently 2016 is going to fly by just as quickly as 2015 did!  Schnapps has been busy knitting and snuggling.  We got 20 inches of snow last weekend which meant lots of shoveling so poor Schnapps could walk around, but most of that is melted now.

Schnapps made this set for an upcoming Quarter Auction for one of our favorite places - the Kent County Public Library in Delaware.  These are versions of the Noggin Nuzzler hat and the Neck Nuzzler infinity scarf.  He used 2 strands of Wool Ease Chunky throughout and wanted to add the extra pop of the coordinating color.  Since the Noggin Nuzzler is one of our earliest patterns and written for worsted weight yarn only, we figured we would share the new version here.   Scroll through the post for instructions about the infinity scarf too!  Click on the links to go to the original patterns.

The original Noggin Nuzzler looks like this:

The infinity scarf uses the same pattern as the original Neck Nuzzler.  To add the contrasting stripe down the middle, simply change to a new color after a Row 4 and be sure to do a row of knit all stitches before starting the pattern again with the new color.  When you switch back to the original color for the other part of the scarf, be sure to knit one row all around using the original color before going back to the pattern.  This ensures that your purl bumps won't be two colored!

 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 was hiding from the blizzard! 

The Bulked Up Noggin Nuzzler

Abbreviations:

K2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one.

You Need:

2 strands of 5-weight, chunky yarn- 2 different colors if you want.

Size 15 circular knitting needles

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

Work Brim in Color A:

Row 1:  Knit all stitches

Row 2:  Purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three more times for a total of 8 rows of garter stitch

Work Pattern in Color B:

Rows 1 & 2:  *K2, P2*; repeat from * to * around row

Rows 3 & 4:  *P2, K2*; repeat from * to * around row

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 until the piece measures approximately 7 inches.  You can make it longer if you would like a larger hat.

Decrease Crown - use dpns when needed:

Row 1:  *K2, K2tog*; repeat from * to * around

Row 2:  *K1, K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 3:   *K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row

Row 4:   *K2tog*; repeat from * to * around row to last stitch, end K1.

Finish:  Cut your working yarn, leaving a tail.  Draw the tail through the stitches remaining on the needle, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in your ends and pass it along to someone who’s noggin needs a nuzzle!

If you want to use 6- weight yarn and size 13 needles, cast on 48 stitches.

 If you want to use one strand of 5 weight yarn and size 11 needles, cast on 60 stitches.