#OperationBottleBeanies Kick Off is Soon!

Operation Bottle Beanies is kicking off for 2019 September 19 – 21!  Once again, Fifer’s Orchard will be selling adorable, handmade little hats for jar and bottles, as well as handmade wash cloths to support Code Purple!  Please have your first round of items to me by September 15 and this will continue until almost Christmas, when Fifer’s closes for the Winter.


These are some from Kathy in CA from a previous year!

Those of you who know me know that I tend to steer clear of “official” non-profits because too often, the money donated goes towards advertising and marketing costs and to paying salaries instead of helping those in need.  Code Purple operates shelters when the temperatures drop below freezing.  Code Purple is run entirely by volunteers and through their unwavering, dedicated work, they help hundreds, if not thousands of people in Delaware stay warm throughout the Winter months. 
#OperationBottleBeanies is community service at is best.  We donate the hats and wash cloths and Fifer’s donates the room in their store and their staff time to sell them and the Code Purple volunteers use that money to purchase whatever supplies are needed to operate the shelters.  We all do a little and those who need it can be helped.  We are all doing this out of love and a shared concern for our community.

We need LOTS of hats!  From olive oil bottles to mason jars, Fifer’s has many different size containers that can wear hats!  They sell apple butter, honey, peanut butter, jams, pickles and so much more.  Themed hats for Fall and Winter and holidays are great, as are any that include bees, produce, animals…….the possibilities are almost endless!

Preemie size hats are about the size for quart jars.  There are lots of patterns for tiny hats online……….wine bottle hats, The Innocent Drink Big Knit project in the UK (which is our inspiration!) and most yarn companies have free patterns online.  We have some free patterns on this blog too.  These hats can be used to decorate the items, put on dolls, hung as ornaments….again, the possibilities are vast!  They make adorable tie-ons for packages!  AND they are helping people!




Washcloth patterns are very easy to come by and they are great ways to try out new stitch patterns too!  Again, the cuter the better……eye catching ones sell first.  Seasonal colors and designs are great!  Washcloths are big sellers too!  Everyone can use some new washcloths and they make great gifts too!

Join our Facebook page and see new ideas as we find them and all the beautiful things people create as they come in.

Of course, we are still collecting chemo caps in all sizes for people undergoing chemotherapy and blankets for children in foster care and those in crisis.  I know it’s asking a lot of people to support all these things at once, but however you can help, it will be greatly appreciated.  Make what you like to make.  Do whatever you can do without stressing yourself.  Every single item helps someone.  And if you can make hats, blankets and bottle beanies, then have it and we will get them where they need to go to help the most!

All items can be sent to DEHH at 202 Acorn Forest Drive, Felton, DE 19943.  If you usually donate by using a Library drop off, please just add your new items to that and I will get them!

#OperationBottleBeanies has been a dream of mine for years………..I’m very happy that it is back and I hope we can see it grow and help more people in the future years. 
If we each do a little bit, in our community, we truly do make a big difference.  Imagine if everyone helped…………..


Here's a list of some sites with free washcloth patterns:

Washcloth patterns from RedHeart

Washcloth patterns from LionBrand

Washcloth patterns from KnitPicks

Crochet washcloth patterns from Yarnspirations

Knit washcloth patterns from Yarnspirations

Second Annual Operation Bottle Beanies Kick Off!

Saturday, September 24 is the official kick off of the second annual Operation Bottle Beanies.  We will be at Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware for the first Saturday of Fall Fest.  Delaware Head Huggers will have a table where we will be selling bottle beanies and other handmade items, with a full 100% of the price being donated to Code Purple, a non-profit that works to operate shelters in Delaware when the temperatures drop below freezing.

This is such an easy way to help - stop by and purchase something!  That's all you have to do.  

If you live too far away to stop by, help out by making and donating some bottle beanies for others to purchase.  Fifer's will be selling bottle beanies from now until Christmas!

  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!

Check out these adorable bottle beanies that were donated by Kathy, all the way from California!

 Here are a few that Schnapps made this week too!

We're going to share simple instructions on how we made these, but let your imagination run wild!  Creativity is key with these - the cuter, the better! 

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.  

This is a great way to use up that scrap yarn! All yarn types are welcome.

 

 

To make a dog, make the basic bottle beanie pattern below, then embroider a nose and mouth, add some eyes and knit 2 ears. 
Ears:

Cast on 2 stitches
Row 1:  knit all
Row 2:  knit into the front and back of each stitch (4 stitches)
Row 3:  knit all
Repeat Row 3 until the ear is the length you wish
Then K2 together across the row (back to 2 stitches)
Cast off
Make a second ear to match and attach to the beanie

To make a monster, make the basic bottle beanie pattern below, then add an eyeball and an embroidered mouth!

Eyeball:  Cast on 2 stitches
Row 1:  knit all
Row 2:  purl all
Row 3:  knit into the front and back of each stitch (4 stitches)
Row 4:  purl all
Row 5:  knit all
Row 6:  purl all
Row 7:  K2 together across the row (back to 2 stitches
Row 8:  purl all
Row 9:  cast off

Stuff and seam together.....add some black yarn for a pupil and stitch it to your beanie.

Candy Corn:
Using yellow, 6 weight yarn, cast on 16 on size 13 dpns
Knit every row for an inch or two, then switch to orange yarn
Knit one row, then k3, k2tog for one row, then knit every row for another inch, then switch to white yarn
Knit one row,  then k2, k2tog for one row, then knit every row for about an inch, then k2tog for a row.  Leave a 6 inch tail, draw it through the stitches left on the needles, cinch and you're done!

Owl:

Using brown, 5-weight yarn, cast on 16 stitches on size 10.5 dpns and join in the round
Row 1:  knit all
Row 2:  purl all
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your owl is the length you want.  Cast off, seam the top, add some fringe at the corner, embroider a beak and glue on some eyes!

Basic Bottle Beanie:

Using 6 weight yarn and size 13 dpns, cast on 18 stitches, join in the round.
Knit every row until you reach your desired length
Decrease as follows:  k4, k2tog for one row; k3, k2tog for one row; k2, k2tog for one row; k1, k2tog for one row; k2tog for one row
Leave a tail and draw it through the remaining stitches, cinch and secure.

To use different yarn weights, you can either stick with the pattern and just make a smaller bottle beanie or you can adjust to casting on 24 stitches on size 10 dpns for 5 weight yarn and casting on 36 on size 7 dpns for 3 or 4 weight yarn.

 

Have fun and be creative!!!!!!!

Introducing Licorice Twist!

Well, Labor Day Weekend is over and it is time to gear up for the cold weather again.  Football season starts this week and Schnapps is SO excited!  He loves Football Sundays - curling up and knitting the day away....actually, I am just as excited!  Licorice Twist (thanks again Lani for the name!) is the perfect hat to knit on a Football Sunday or on any day.  Using Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn this knits up super quickly.  The color combinations are practically endless!  Use just 2 colors if you want too.  I have included directions for other yarn weights, so feel free to try it with the pattern repeated or with a wider brim.......let us see what you create!  

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!

If you are have not purchased any patterns or any fundraiser items recently, please consider making a donation using the link on right side of this page to help us pay for postage and supply costs.   We are getting ready to ship out LOTS of hats to cancer centers for the Fall.  You can see where our hats go by visiting our website:  www.delawareheadhuggers.org

Schnapps walking the skateboard ramp at the park!

Operation Bottle Beanies is kicking off it's second year on September 24!  For those of you who don't know about OBB, check out some information here.  We are excited to help the homeless and look forward raising even more money this year!

Licorice Twist

You will need 3 different colors of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles or some other combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 45 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A
Row 1:  *k3, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until your work measures 2 to 2.5 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

Work Body of Hat Still Using Colors B & C:
All stitches are knit stitches.  Letters refer to which color to use.

Set up row Color B:  knit all stitches
Rows 1, 5 & 9:  *2A, 3B*; repeat around
Rows 2 & 8:   *1A, 2A, 2B*; repeat around
Rows 3 & 7:   *2B, 2A, 1B*; repeat around
Rows 4 & 6:   *3B, 2A*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 and 9  if desired until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  Model was made using 6 weight yarn and only one repeat. Pattern will look much different if repeated.  Other instructions for different yarn weights are below.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed Using Color B
Row 1:    knit all stitches
Row 2:   *k3, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 3:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 3:   *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 60.  Work brim for 3.5 inches, then work pattern once.  Repeat Row 1 of crown decrease until piece is 8 inches in length, then continue with pattern

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 90.  Work brim for 4 inches, then work pattern once.  Repeat Row 1 of crown decrease until piece is 8 inches in length, then continue with pattern.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches.   Work brim for 5 inches, then work pattern once.  Repeat Row 1 of crown decrease until piece is 8 inches in length, then continue with pattern.

Use 2 strands of 4- or 5-weight yarn or 3 strands of 3-weight yarn held together as one strand and work pattern as written if you want to use other yarn weights and have the hat look like the model

The pattern is worked over 5 stitches.

Introducing Hyperbola!

The weather is finally starting to be a bit cooler here in Delaware.....not cool enough for us yet, but at least not so hot.  Schnapps came up with this hat in this fabulous shade of blue during a Football Sunday.  It's made with 6-weight, super bulky yarn, but there are instructions for all yarn weights too.

 It's the last week to get a chance to win!  Raffle tickets can be purchased online - just email robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and let me know you are interested.  Raffle tickets are $1 each and 6 for $5.  Once I receive payment, I will email you the ticket numbers that are for you.  Payment can be made via PayPal.  The drawing will be on October 17, 2015 or a few days later depending on if we are waiting for people to pay.  We don't want anyone to miss out.  You choose which of the items below you want your tickets to go towards.

Operation Bottle Beanies is going strong.......it's growing slowly, but we are happy that it's taking off!  New businesses may be added soon too!  Remember, 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.

Join us in making a difference....one hat at a time!

 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!

 

 

 

 

 

Hyperbola

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

Abbreviations:
CB4:  move 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to back.  Knit 2 from left needle, then knit 2 from cable needle.

CF4: move 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to front.  Knit 2 from left needle, then knit 2 from cable needle.

p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together as one

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 1.5 to  2 inches

Work Pattern:
Foundation Row:  purl all stitches
Row 1: k4, CB4, CF4, k4, purl to end
Rows 2, 4 & 6:  k16, purl to end
Row 3:  k2, CB4, k4, CF4, k2, purl to end
Row 5:  CB4, k8, CF4, purl to end

Repeat Rows 1 - 6 until piece measures 7.5 to 8  inches in length. 

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:  *p2, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *p1, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *p2tog*; 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 wandering a curvy path these days!

 

 

 If using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 64. 

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 80. 

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

The pattern is worked over 16 stitches.    I prefer the look of the one design, but you can repeat the design if you wish.  The way the pattern is written, you can repeat it 3 times.

  

Introducing Crossroads!

Two new patterns today!  Schnapps has been busy....it's been so hot here that he's been hiding in the cool house playing with yarn.  Here is his original plan and this time he made sure to double check his math!  :)  Made with Lion Brand Hometown USA, this hat knits up super fast and is just a one row pattern!  I really like the way the crown decrease looks.  Other yarn weight instructions are included also.

It starts out like this:

and with just a few steps is finished!

Balance Beam utilizes a similar design for the brim and is also posted on this blog with info about all yarn weights.

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!!

Hats can be sent directly to:

DEHH

202 Acorn Forest Drive

Felton, DE 19943

It's STILL hot!

 Crossroads

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

  

Abbreviations:

ktbl:  knit through the back loop
p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together as one
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one
k2togtbl:  knit 2 stitches together as one through the back loop

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


Work Pattern:
Row 1:  *p3, k2tbl*, repeat around

Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 7.5 to 8.5 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1:  *p1, p2tog, k2tbl*; repeat around
Row 2:   *p2tog, k2togtbl*; repeat around
Row 3:   *k2togtbl*; 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!

Cinching:  Cut an 8 inch piece of yarn, either matching or contrasting for a different look and thread it through a yarn needle.  At about halfway up the length of the hat, bring the yarn needle up on the outer side of one knit section and then down on the outer side of the next knit section.  Wrap the yarn three times around, cinching the 2 knit sections together.  Take care not to cinch too tightly since that could distort the fit of the hat.  Tie off the yarn on the inside of the hat and weave in end.  Repeat for every 2 knit sections around the hat.

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

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 110. 

If making a child’s hat, use 4 weight yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 70 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 10.

The pattern is worked over 10 stitches.

Introducing Balance Beam!

It's finally September!  Hats are shipping out every week so patients are supplied when the weather turns colder.  We are in the midst of a heat wave right now, but Schnapps is planning ahead and working on warm, toasty hats.  He had a plan in mind when he started this hat and then realized that he miscalculated..........so he changed it up and ended with this.  It's made with Lion Brand Hometown USA, well less than one skein.  Info for other yarn weights is included also.

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!

 

Balance Beam

 You will need 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles or another combination listed below.

Abbreviations:
ktbl:  knit through the back loop
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one

Using Color A:  Cast on 49 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Color A
Row 1:  *p5, k2tbl*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 for  4.5 to 5 inches

Work Crown:  Color B
Row 1:  knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 6.5 to 7.5 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 who may find themselves performing a balancing act these days and could use some love!

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

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 91. 

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 105 stitches. 

For a child’s hat, use 4 weight yarn, size 7 needles and cast on 70 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 7.

The pattern is worked over 7 stitches.