Introducing Cadence!

Even though it seems as if most of the country is having a wicked heat wave, people still need chemo caps!  And with the cold weather coming one of these days, they will need even more.  Please spread the word about the need for these caps and how much they mean to the recipients.  Any knitter has an extra skein of yarn just hiding in his or her stash..........this year, please try to turn those extra skeins into chemo caps for those battling cancer.  This latest hat can be a stash buster too!  The model was knit using 3 different colors of DK weight yarn, but as usual, the instructions are included for all yarn weights, so you can use what you have on hand and make a difference!

Click on the photo below and share it any place you can.  

Check out our website for more information about how you can help!

Use the links on the right hand side of the page to follow us on Pinterest or to find our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.

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!

Cadence

You will need 3 colors of 3-weight yarn and size US 6 needles, or some other combination listed below. 

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color C, cast on 105 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color C
Row 1:   knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until your work measures about 2 inches, or longer if you prefer, in length. 

Work Pattern:  all stitches are knit stitches.  The numbers and letter refer to color:  In the model Color A is pink and B is blue. 

Rows 1, 2 & 3:   *1B, 2A, 2B, 2A*; repeat around
Rows 4, 5 & 6:   *2B, 4A, 1B*; repeat around
Row 7:   *1A, 2B, 2A, 2B*; repeat around
Row 8:   *2A, 1B, 2A, 1B, 1A*; repeat around
Row 9:   *2A, 4B, 1A*; repeat around
Row 10:  *3A, 2B, 2A*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 -10 until piece is about 7 to 7.5  inches in length.

Work Crown:  Using Color C:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:    knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 8 inches in length.

Work Crown Decrease in Color C:

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 share.

If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 49.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 70. 

  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 91.   

If using 2-weight yarn, use size 4 needles and cast on 126.  

This  pattern is worked over 7 stitches.  Adjust accordingly for size differences. 

Introducing the Breezes to Gusts Scarf!

I recently finished a fairly large lace shawl, but while I was working on that I needed a smaller, simpler, more easily transported project for those doctor's waiting rooms and busy places.  I wanted to try KnitPicks Cotton Mist yarn, so I decided to make a scarf.  An open, breezy scarf that could work in all sorts of situations is what I ended up with.  The yarn is lovely too - very soft and easy to work with.

But, this scarf pattern works for any yarn.....in any weight........and it's so simple that you can basically knit it with your eyes closed.  Makes a great, last minute gift or a quick knit accessory for yourself.  Unlike the shawl.....which took a long time to finish!  

Using 210 yards of a cotton blend, worsted weight yarn and size 13 needles I ended up with a scarf that is about 81 inches long and about 6 inches wide.  It can be worn in a variety of ways and the pale yellow hue will go nicely with a lot of different colors.  Imagine all the possibilities of different yarns in different fibers, textures and colors!  Change the size to suit the yarn in your stash too!  Make this a toasty warm scarf by using a bulky wool yarn or an even more delicate accessory using something in a sport or lace weight.  Really, anything goes.  So, go check your stash and get to it.

Try it yourself and send us some pictures so we can see what you did with this.  Check out our website also.

Use the links on the right hand side of the page to follow us on Pinterest or to find our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.

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!

Red Heart's "Little Waves Shawl"  knit in It's a Wrap

Breezes to Gusts Scarf

I used one 219 yard skein of KnitPicks Color Mist yarn and size US 13 circular needles.

Cast on 188 stitches

Row 1:  yo, p2tog

Repeat Row 1 until you are almost out of yarn and then bind off all stitches loosely.

That's it!

Use needles that are several sizes larger than what is typically used for the yarn you choose.  The larger the needles, the looser the mesh will be.  The smaller the needles, the tighter the mesh.  There is no right or wrong size......just use what appeals to you and what you have ready to go.  Here's a rough guide:

Lace weight yarn and size 5 needles

Sport weight yarn and size 8 needles

DK weight yarn and size 10.5 needles

Worsted weight yarn and size 13 needles

Chunky yarn and size 19 needles

Super Bulky yarn and size 35 needles

Be sure to cast on in multiples of 2.  

The thicker the yarn, the fewer stitches you need for a 6 to 7 foot scarf.  Again, here is a rough guide:

Lace weight yarn:  cast on 476 stitches

Sport weight yarn:  cast on 330 stitches

DK yarn:  cast on 250 stitches

Worsted weight:  cast on 188 stitches

Chunky weight:  cast on 140 stitches

Super Bulky weight:  cast on 100 stitches

If you want a shorter scarf, don't cast on as many stitches.  Longer, cast on more.

The number of rows you knit will determine how wide the scarf becomes.  It can be anything from super skinny to a really wide, shawl type scarf.  Stripe it if you want.  Use more than one type of yarn.  Have fun with it!

Get Started on your Holiday Knitting!

The holiday season always manages to sneak up on me.  Especially when the summer months are as hot and humid as this year.  There are only about 4 months left until Christmas.  

My friends at LoveKnitting told me about their new calculator that helps you figure out how long it will take to finish a project.  This can be a handy tool when you're planning gifts for family and friends or just trying to figure out how many hours you will spend knitting that blanket.

  

Check it out here and be sure to take a look at some of their gorgeous patterns and yarn selections also.

It's time to stock up on the yarn and patterns you need and don't forget to get some extra to make some chemo caps for those undergoing treatment and some blankets for children in crisis or in foster care homes.  Many people could use some extra love around the holidays.

Remember that we have lots of patterns, e-books and paperback books available for you too.  All pattern sales help keep Delaware Head Huggers going by helping to cover shipping and supply costs.

The latest book is called "Schnapps-isms:  Wise Words and Knitting Patterns and it is available as a paperback or a Kindle e-book from Amazon.  It can be purchased here.  Other pattern books are available there as well.

Photos of the hat and accessory patterns included in the other paperback books can be found in a previous blog post as well. 

Since not everyone may want to have all the photos, we have also put the e-book, with patterns only in our Ravelry store.  It can be found here.  Schnapps-isms is also available, patterns only in our Craftsy store.  Our Etsy store is back up also, with a limited number of items and our digital books.

Follow along with us on Instagram now too!  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  me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too!