Introducing To Purl or Not......that's your option!

 I played around with this pattern until I had three variations.  When I asked the Facebook page which one was preferred they all had their fans, so I decided to share all 3 versions for you.

All of these models was knit using Lion Brand Hometown yarn, which is 6-weight.  There are instructions for all yarn weights included in the PDF, so you can use whatever is in your stash.  Feel free to experiment with different brim styles or to repeat the pattern band if you are using lighter weight yarn. I used solid colors to highlight the stitch definition on these, but mix brims and crowns with pattern bands or use variegated yarn if you like. Have fun with it and make some hats that can bring a smile to someone else. 

 These patterns use twisted stitches and I have again included the video tutorial to show how simple it is to do these.  Don't let the wording intimidate you - try it yourself.  They really are easy to do!

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

On the right side of the blog there is a "Donate Now" button that allows you to donate via PayPal.  All donations are used to help with shipping and supply costs.  Supplies include bags and tags for each individual hat as well as shipping boxes, packing tape, printer ink, paper, etc. 

There is also a link to my Ravelry patterns and an immediate link to purchase my latest pattern book.  All pattern sales are put right back into shipping and supply costs.  

Pattern books, both e-book and paperback,  can be purchased on Amazon as well.

I also sell patterns and nature notecards and calendars and DEHH stickers in my Etsy store. All proceeds from those sales go right back into running DEHH.  

If you want to help support us in other ways, please join our Facebook page and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Visit our Website.  Follow us on Instagram or Twitter.  Share, comment and like posts to spread the word about the need for chemo caps.  Tell your friends about us.  You never know who else may want to get involved.

Remember, just ONE skein of yarn is needed to make a difference in someone's life.  I bet you have a skein of yarn lying in your stash that you could use to help someone through a difficult time.  

Please consider joining us in our mission to make a difference one hat at a time.  

 

  To Purl or Not...  PDF

How to work the RT Stitch Video

How to work the LT Stitch Video

Introducing Twisted Facets!

 It's only 12 days into 2022 and hats are in huge demand.  Luckily, many people have been busy knitting, crocheting and sewing and have been sending hats in.  But, we always need more!  

We are also trying to help Code Purple (a local non-profit that helps the homeless) by collecting blankets, scarves, socks, hats, etc to help keep people warm this winter.  

I've been playing around with twisted stitches, after taking Norah Gaughan's book "Twisted Stitch Sourcebook" out of the library.  I have a feeling I will be purchasing my own copy to have on hand always.  Twisted stitches aren't difficult to do, but the written directions may seem complicated.  No cable needles are required!

I'm including videos for how to do the LT and RT stitches in this blog and on YouTube to try to help. 

This model was knit using KnitPicks Brava bulky yarn.  I used a solid color to highlight the twisted stitches, but don't be afraid to work this pattern using a variegated or self striping yarn.  The PDF includes instructions for using all yarn weights, so just dig into your stash and get started.  

On the right side of the blog there is a "Donate Now" button that allows you to donate via PayPal.  All donations are used to help with shipping and supply costs.  Supplies include bags and tags for each individual hat as well as shipping boxes, packing tape, printer ink, paper, etc. 

There is also a link to my Ravelry patterns and an immediate link to purchase my latest pattern book.  All pattern sales are put right back into shipping and supply costs.  

Pattern books, both e-book and paperback,  can be purchased on Amazon as well.

I also sell patterns and nature notecards and calendars and DEHH stickers in my Etsy store. All proceeds from those sales go right back into running DEHH.  

If you want to help support us in other ways, please join our Facebook page and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Visit our Website.  Follow us on Instagram or Twitter.  Share, comment and like posts to spread the word about the need for chemo caps.  Tell your friends about us.  You never know who else may want to get involved.

Remember, just ONE skein of yarn is needed to make a difference in someone's life.  I bet you have a skein of yarn lying in your stash that you could use to help someone through a difficult time.  

Please consider joining us in our mission to make a difference one hat at a time.  

Twisted Facets PDF

How to work the RT stitch video

How to work the LT stitch video

Introducing Volution, Walking Upwards and CAPtivating Comfort!

 It's been a long time coming, but I finally got the latest 20 patterns put together into an e-book of PDF files to make it simple and easy for you to have them at your fingertips!

CAPtivating Comfort is selling for $10 and includes TWENTY patterns, two of which have never been published before.  The new patterns are also available through Ravelry for $5 each if you only wish to get one.  You can purchase the book on Ravelry or through the link to the right on this page.  Individual patterns are also available on Ravelry.

All patterns have instructions for all yarn weights, making it a breeze to use what you have in your stash to make a hat!  Volution can easily be adapted to just one color too.  Walking Upwards is a slip stitch color work hat that uses only one color per row so it's great for beginner and expert color work knitters!

Don't forget to get your DEHH removable sticker too!

Volution

Walking Upwards

The entire pattern collection for CAPtivating Comfort!

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our  Ravelry store.  

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.   

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

DEHH Stickers! Show Your Support!

Let's spread the word about Delaware Head Huggers and raise awareness for the need for chemo caps! These are removable stickers that can be placed on vehicles, water bottles, computers, notebooks, etc. Made in the USA! If you've ever used one of our patterns, consider buying a sticker and supporting our mission!

Only $5 each, which includes shipping and all proceeds will go towards shipping and supply costs to keep sending chemo caps to centers and individuals who need them!

DEHH stickers are already in Delaware, California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, New York, Florida and more! They are on vehicles, clipboards, water bottles and other items!

Once you get your sticker, let us know where you are displaying it. Send us a photo!

There are a few ways you can purchase one!

You can send a check to Robin Agar, 202 Acorn Forest Dr., Felton, DE 19943 and include a note that says it's a sticker purchase and include the address where you want the sticker shipped.

You can also send me an email with your address and pay through PayPal. My PayPal address is: robin@delawareheadhuggers.org

You can also use the "Donate Now" link right here on the right hand side of the page on this blog. Be sure to send an email too with the shipping address or include your address in the notes of the donation!

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our  Ravelry store.  

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.   

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

Introducing Contiguous Color!

 This latest hat pattern is fun to knit, works up quickly and can be customized to whatever yarn you have on hand in your stash!  Chemo caps are in high demand.  They always are!  Please consider making some for your local cancer center even if you are using this pattern for another purpose.

When All Free Knitting approached me about helping them celebrate their 10th birthday with a new pattern, I was excited!  Contiguous Color appears, in full, on their website as well as here. Be sure to drop by All Free Knitting and wish them a Happy Birthday!

I worked up three new patterns and a vote put to our Facebook members had this design winning.  Join us on FB to see all new patterns as soon as they come off the needles!  This model was knit using chunky 5-weight yarn, but, of course, the pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights!  Imagine all the color combinations you could use for this one!

We are still accepting and shipping out hats to those undergoing chemotherapy.  Recently boxes have been shipped to Montana, Delaware, Florida and more!  All hats are shipped completely free of charge.  If you are able to help us out, please do!

Postage costs keep rising! (A typical box to a center with about 70 -100 hats in it runs between $28 - $50 depending on where it is going) The website renewal is this month (many people who need hats find us through that, so I don't want to cancel it at this time) and I will be ordering more tags and shipping supplies in the next couple of weeks.  

Most of my patterns are posted free for everyone to use so that everyone can make hats to help others. Periodically I put some patterns into e-books or paperbacks for sale to help raise funds to defray operating costs. Every pattern purchase helps me keep shipping hats to those who need them. 

I will be putting together a new ebook soon and I will be working on more notecards too. Hopefully a nature calendar for 2022 also!

For those interested in donating: We always needs hats, moral support, encouragement and funds!

There is a donate button on the Delaware Head Huggers website and right here on this page. Anyone who wishes to donate by check can send a check to Robin Agar, 202 Acorn Forest Dr., Felton, DE 19943 - I don't have a business account, so I can't cash checks made out to DEHH.

Together we are making a difference, one hat at a time, with hugs, hope and love! Thank you! 

Contiguous Color

You will need size 10, 16 inch circular needles and 2 colors of 5-weight yarn or another combination below.

Abbreviations:

sl:  slip one stitch, knit wise

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color B, cast on 72 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color B

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Row 2:   purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 1.5 to  2 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

Work Body of Hat:

Set Up Row:   Color A:  knit all

Rows 1 & 2:   Color B:  *k2, s1, k3, s2* repeat around

Rows 3 & 4:   Color A:  *(k1, s1)x3, k2*; repeat around

Rows 5 & 6:   Color B:  *s1, k3, s1, k2, s1* repeat around

Rows 7 & 8:   Color A:  *k2, s1, k3, s1, k1*; repeat around

Rows 9 & 10:  Color B:  *s1, k2, s2, k3* repeat around

Rows 11 & 12:  Color A:  *k1, s1, k3, s1, k1, s1*; repeat around

Rows 13 & 14:  Color B:  *k2, s2, k2, s1, k1* repeat around

Rows 15 & 16:  Color A:  *(s1, k3)x2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 16 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.

Work Crown:  Color B  

Row 1:    knit all stitches 

Repeat Row 1  until your work measures about 8 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

Crown Decrease:  Color B :  use dons 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 8 stitches.  

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our  Ravelry store.  

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.   

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

If you want to donate to Delaware Head Huggers, you can use the donate button on the right hand side of the page.  Every dollar truly does help us get hats out to those who need them most.

Introducing Geometric Inlay!

 It's almost May already!  2021 is flying by.  The world is still a mess and there are so many things that are different than ever before.  However, the need for chemo caps continues and so I have come up with a few new patterns lately.  The colors for this one said Spring to me, but imagine all the possible color combinations!

This hat was designed with Knit Picks Brava bulky yarn, but instructions are included for all yarn weights so you can use your stash and make beautiful hats.  All stitches are knit stitches and this is a fun pattern that works up quickly.

Geometric Inlay

You will need 5 weight yarn in 3 colors and size 10 needles or another combination listed below:

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 72 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until your work measures 2.5 to  3 inches in length.   If using lighter weight yarn you might want to make the brim 4 - 5 inches so that your band is centered nicely.

Work Band of Hat  Using Colors A, B & C:

all stitches are knit stitches.  Numbers and letter refer to color.  A is white.  B is yellow.  C is teal

Row 1:   *3A, 1B, 2A*; repeat around

Row 2:   *2A, 3B, 1A*; repeat around

Row 3:   *1A, 5B*; repeat around

Row 4:   *1C, 5B*; repeat around

Row 5:   *2C, 3B, 1C*; repeat around

Row 6:   *3C, 1B, 2C*; repeat around

Row 7:   *1B, 5C*; repeat around

Row 8:   *2B, 3C, 1B*; repeat around

Row 9:   *3B, 1C, 2B*; repeat around

Row 10:   *3B, 1A, 2B*; repeat around

Row 11:   *2B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around

Row 12:   *1B, 5A*; repeat around

Work Crown:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until your work measures about 7.5 - 8 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k4, k2tog* repeat around

Row 2:   *k3, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2, k2tog* repeat around

Row 4:   *k1, 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 

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 84.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches.  

Experiment and enjoy!

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our  Ravelry store.  

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.   

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

If you want to donate to Delaware Head Huggers, you can use the donate button on the right hand side of the page.  Every dollar truly does help us get hats out to those who need them most.

Introducing Sea Urchin!

 It's mid-February and the weather is crazy throughout most of the country!  I hope you are all staying safe and warm and dry.

This latest pattern is called Sea Urchin (thank you Kathleen for the name suggestion!).  It will fly off your needles when worked using super bulky yarn, but with just 2 rows in the pattern, it will go quickly, no matter what yarn weight you use.  I used Lion Brand Hometown yarn and one skein was more than enough.  The pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights, so you can make this hat with whatever you have in your stash.  It will look great in any color too!

Covid is still running rampant and making life very difficult for so many.  Many hospitals aren't accepting chemo caps at this time.  As much as we all want to help, donating hats to places that aren't accepting them will only end up with hats being discarded.  Please check with any sites before you send or drop off items.  DEHH is again accepting some hats, but there are still NO library drop off sites open.  All hats at this time must be machine washable and need to be washed before being mailed to me.  

More info about that can be found on www.delawareheadhuggers.org

SEA URCHIN

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

Abbreviations:

RC:  knit second stitch, but don’t drop off needles, then knit first stitch and drop both together

k1b: knit 1 stitch below

p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together 

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

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

Row 1: *RC, p2, k1, p2*; repeat around

Row 2: * k2, p2, k1b, p2*; repeat around 

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:    *RC, p2tog, k1, p2*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k2, p1, k1b, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog, p1, k1, p1*; 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 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 63.  

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 105 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 7 stitches.