Schnapps

Schnapps
Our mascot - ALWAYS!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Introducing Viridian Pathways!

Schnapps was busy on this penultimate Football Sunday of the season.  He worked up this hat first last week and then knit a variation of it this weekend.  We want to remind everyone that chemo caps are in desperate need all over the world.  Help out locally by knitting several and bringing them to your local cancer center.  Or, if you don't know where to bring them, send them to us and we'll get them to people who need them.  

The first version was knit using Hometown USA, a 6-weight yarn.  The second version was knit using KnitPicks Brava Bulky, a 5-weight yarn.  Instructions for all yarn weights are below.  

This pattern is simple and versatile - and only 2 rows to remember.  Just knit it as a brim and top it with a stockinette crown and you have an entirely different look.  You could add a stripe or two and use this as a great stash buster as well.




Scrimmage Stitches is now for sale as well!  This e-book is a compilation of 15 hat patterns designed for Delaware Head Huggers. Along with 3 never before published patterns, there are 12 patterns found on the blog, Knitting with Schnapps. Patterns vary in complexity, so there is something for everyone. All patterns include information for knitting them in super-bulky, chunky, worsted and sport weight yarn. 100% of all sales go into supporting Delaware Head Huggers and helping to pay for shipping and supply costs.   The book can be purchased at our Ravelry and Craftsy stores or by using the link on the right hand side of this page.

Scrimmage Stitches patterns!
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!
 

 


Viridian Pathways
 
You will need 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles or some other combination listed below. 
 
 
Abbreviations:
C3:  knit the 3rd stitch on the left hand needle, but don’t drop, then knit the first and second stitch and drop all.
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Cast on 50 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Row 1:  *k3, p2*; repeat around
Row 2:   *C3, p2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 2  until piece is anywhere from 7.0 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 1.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:   *C3, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 2:    *k1, k2tog, p1*; repeat around
Row 3:   *k2tog, p1*; repeat around
Row 4:    *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:  (optional)    *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 you prefer, use the pattern for just the brim of the hat, working it as long as you like, then switching to stockinette for the top of the hat.  **

 If using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 65.  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 90.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches.   
The pattern is worked over 5 stitches.  

Monday, January 9, 2017

Introducing Helicoid!

It snowed this weekend in Delaware and once we finished shoveling, we all curled up inside with cocoa to watch football.  Schnapps was extra busy knitting this weekend and he came up with a couple of new patterns.  The first one is Helicoid.  This was a big hit on our Facebook page.......Schnapps hopes you like it too.

Schnapps thinks this might be his new favorite pattern.....there are so many color combinations......next time he is planning on doing the brim in a contrasting color too and using 3 different colors.  This pattern is a great stash buster too.  A bonus?  It's super simple - just stockinette in alternating colors to make the spirals.  Of course, he included instructions for all yarn weights because we know every stash has different yarn!



This version was knit using Knit Picks Brava bulky, which is a terrific yarn.....soft and cuddly and machine washable with no wool to aggravate anyone's allergies or delicate skin.  

This version was knit with Lion Brand Hometown USA, another washable, non-wool yarn that we love to use for chemo caps.


 Scrimmage Stitches is now for sale as well!  This e-book is a compilation of 15 hat patterns designed for Delaware Head Huggers. Along with 3 never before published patterns, there are 12 patterns found on the blog, Knitting with Schnapps. Patterns vary in complexity, so there is something for everyone. All patterns include information for knitting them in super-bulky, chunky, worsted and sport weight yarn. 100% of all sales go into supporting Delaware Head Huggers and helping to pay for shipping and supply costs.   The book can be purchased at our Ravelry and Craftsy stores or by using the link on the right hand side of this page.

Scrimmage Stitches patterns!
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!
 
Even though the deck is cleared of snow for him, he manages to find some flakes to stick to his face!

 Helicoid
 You will need 2 colors of 5-weight yarn and size US 10.5 circular needles or some other combination listed below. 

Abbreviations:
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 & 2 until your work measures 1.5 to  2 inches in length, ending with a Row 1.

Work Body of Hat:   Using Colors A & B
All stitches are knit stitches. 
Row 1:   *2a, 2b*; repeat around
Row 2:   *1a, 2b, 1a*; repeat
Row 3:   *2b, 2a*; repeat around
Row 4:   *1b, 2a, 1b*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 -4 until piece is about 6 to 6.5 inches in length. 

Work Crown:  Using Only Color A
Row 1:    knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 7 inches in length.

Crown Decrease:  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 7:   *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 7 needles and cast on 88.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 104 stitches. 

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches,  but the crown decrease is worked over 8 stitches.

Feel free to use a third color and make the brim a contrast to the body.

Experiment and enjoy!


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Introducing Reticulated Hope!

2017 is here and I just know great things will happen!  

We ended 2016 with a grand total of 22,297 chemo caps (3,110 in 2016) and 2,287 blankets for foster children and kids in crisis (272 in 2016).  When Schnapps and I started this back in 2010 we never dreamed that it would grow so much.  Thank you to everyone who helps and to all of you who use our patterns to help your local communities.  We hope that we can all challenge and inspire each other to keep creating comforting, beautiful things to spread some happiness.

Schnapps played around with some 6-weight yarn this weekend during football and came up with this pattern.  Amazing how a different yarn gives the same pattern an entirely different look, isn't it?  You could do the brim one color and the crown another too.  Remember, be creative and experiment........worst that happens is you rip out something and start over........most times you come up with something wonderful!

Very simple and super quick to knit, especially in super bulky yarn, the pattern includes info for other yarn weights as always.  



 Scrimmage Stitches is now for sale as well!  This e-book is a compilation of 15 hat patterns designed for Delaware Head Huggers. Along with 3 never before published patterns, there are 12 patterns found on the blog, Knitting with Schnapps. Patterns vary in complexity, so there is something for everyone. All patterns include information for knitting them in super-bulky, chunky, worsted and sport weight yarn. 100% of all sales go into supporting Delaware Head Huggers and helping to pay for shipping and supply costs.   The book can be purchased at our Ravelry and Craftsy stores or by using the link on the right hand side of this page.

Scrimmage Stitches patterns!
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!
 
Missing the excitement of the holidays.....but ready for some snuggle time!


 
Reticulated Hope

  You will need 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles or some other combination listed below. 
 
Abbreviations:
s1:  slip one stitch
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

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

Work Brim:
Rows 1 & 2:   knit all stitches
Row 3:  *s1 knitwise, k1*; repeat around
Row 4:   *s1 purlwise with yarn in back, p1*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 4  until piece is anywhere from 3 to 6.5 inches in length, depending on what you like best.

Work Crown:
Row 1:   knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until the hat is about 7.5 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 7:   *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 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 64. 

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 88. 

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 104 stitches.  

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches, but vary in multiples of 8 to keep the crown decrease the same.