Knitting with Schnapps

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Introducing Staggered Hope!

Schnapps and I hope that your 2014 is off to a good start. We've been busy getting things back to normal after the holidays. I love this time of year when things slow down a bit and life seems to get back on track after the rush of the holiday season. Schnapps and I both love cold weather and we've been able to get lots of good walks in and lots of knitting time too.


Naps every once in a while are great too!

This is Staggering Hope. Thank you Susan for helping with the name!! It is a simple pattern and I think the texture works for men and women. I recently spoke to a woman who received a couple of hats and she told me that the men are as excited about getting hats as the women - especially in this cold weather - and that they look through the hats for ones that are manly enough. Certainly, this hat can be worn by a woman also, but I wanted something for the men too.

We kicked off another year of the Finn Hat Project. Please help us collect more than 600 hats in 2014 for this remarkable program.

Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here.

There are instructions for knitting in the round, knitting flat, loom knitting and 2 crochet patterns! EVERYONE can help! Spread the word about this special project and help a young child who is facing cancer treatment.

The patterns in the photo below are the patterns found in The Play Book, an e-book of patterns that are not published elsewhere. The e-book can be purchased by using the link to the right on this page or by going to my Ravelry store or my Craftsy store. Those links are also to the right of this page and are where all my patterns can be found. 100% of the cost of all my patterns is put right back into supplies and shipping for DEHH and KKforK.

The Play Book Patterns!

Staggered Hope

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

Abbreviations:
ktbl: knit one stitch through the back loop
k2tbl: knit two stitches through the back loop
p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

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

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 through 4: *p2, ktbl*; repeat around
Rows 5 through 8: *k2tbl, p1*; repeat around
Rows 9 through 12: *ktbl, p2*; repeat around,

Repeat Rows 1 - 12 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 inches in length. End with a Row 8.

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *ktbl, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k2tog*; repeat around

If using lighter weight yarn, you might want to repeat Row 3 of the crown decrease for more rows.

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.

The pattern is worked over 3 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 3 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, January 3, 2014

Introducing Swells of Hope!

We spent New Year's Day at my parents home and Schnapps whipped up this hat while we were visiting. It's a super simple 4 row repeat that creates a cute textured wave or swell.

Today is a snow day for us in Delaware, so we thought we'd get it up for everyone to share.

We are always collecting hats for Kidshealth.org which is part of the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington Delaware. They have produced a video that helps pre-school age children understand what to expect from their cancer treatment. This is an ongoing project! In 2013 we collected 598 Finn Hats and I hope that we can beat that total in 2014! Please consider making a few ~ this is truly a wonderful cause!

Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here.

The Play Book Patterns!


Schnapps sends tail wags to everyone!

Swells of Hope

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

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one
s1: slip one stitch

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

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 & 2: knit all stitches
Row 3: holding yarn in back as if to knit throughout, *s1, k1*; repeat around
Row 4: holding yarn in front as if to purl throughout, *s1, p1*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 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

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 needs a hug and some hope.

If using lighter weight yarn you might want to repeat Row 3 of the crown decrease a few more times before ending.

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches, but use a multiple of 4 so the crown decrease stays the same.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 6 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Introducing Rugged Hope!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Schnapps and I wish you all nothing but happiness, good health and love in 2014. This is our last pattern of the year and we hope you like it. We were trying to come up with some different caps that men would like to wear and we think this will work for both men and women.

2013 was an incredible year for Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids. With the help of so many of you we are now at a tally of 12,962 hats and 1,246 blankets - in just 4 years! This year alone brought us 3,628 chemo caps, 598 Finn Hats and 327 blankets. Schnapps and I hope that 2014 is even better! We are making a difference, no matter how small, to many.

Please remember that the Finn Hat project is an ongoing project that continually needs caps of all sizes. This partnership with Kidshealth.org is an important one. The hat pattern is free and comes in both knit and crochet versions. Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here. Spread the word about this special project and help a young child who is facing cancer treatment.

Thank you to all of you who have donated postage funds too. Your help is very much appreciated! Postage is high and seems to be going up every year, but hats are needed across the country and we will continue to send them!

In 2014, I hope you all find time to focus on making a difference to others. This doesn't take any money at all - help a neighbor, give a hug where one is needed, listen to a friend who needs to talk. If you can, make a hat or two or a hundred and donate them locally or send them to me and I will get them to people who need them. Make a blanket and give it to a local foster care agency or a local Emergency Room. Try to spend at least a few minutes every day doing something for those not in your immediate circle. If we all do that, the world will start to become a better place. More love is needed everywhere - right next door and across the world......do your part and Schnapps and I will do ours too.

Remember to tell people about us and let them know that we will send hats to any person or center in the United States. Just email me and we will get hats out right away.

The Play Book Patterns!

Rugged Hope

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

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

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

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 & 3: *k4, p2*; repeat around
Rows 2 & 4: *p2, k4*; repeat around
Rows 5, 6, 7 & 8: k2, *p2, k4*; repeat around, end k2
Rows 9 & 11: *p2, k4*; repeat around
Rows 10 & 12: *k4, p2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 12 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 inches in length.
Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *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 give it to someone special who needs a good sturdy hug and some extra warmth.

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches, but use a multiple of 4 so the crown decrease stays the same.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 6 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Monday, October 28, 2013

Introducing Footprints!

Football Sunday was yesterday and Schnapps was busy. He made this hat using Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn. Thank you Janie for the name!

He made a couple of plain knit hats this weekend too, using colorful and textured yarn, which he thinks is best used with a plain stitch pattern. Don't forget to get your copy of "The Play Book" too if you want all the 2013 Football Patterns!

This is a very busy time of year for Delaware Head Huggers! Hats are shipping out every week. So far, we have been able to get hats to everyone who has requested them. Keep them coming in because the cold weather isn't even here yet. And remember, if you or someone you know needs hats and live in the USA, let me know and I will gladly send hats.

Please also remember that the Finn Hat Project is still ongoing. So far, we have collected 544 Finn Hats, but we would like to have so many more than that ready for pre-school children who are facing cancer treatment. All information about this special, heart warming project can be found here.

Children wearing Finn Hats made by us!

Schnapps modeling one of his more colorful creations!

I stumbled across ladder yarn this weekend and had fun making a quick necklace too.

Footprints

You will need 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles and dpn's or some other combination of yarn and needles listed below.

Abbreviations:
sl2wyif: hold yarn in front as if to purl and slip 2 stitches knit-wise.
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

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

Work Brim:
Row 1: knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 2.5 to 3 inches in length.

Work Pattern:
Row 1: *k2, sl2wyif*; repeat around
Rows 2 & 4: knit all stitches
Row 3: *sl2wyif, k2*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece is about 7 to 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

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 needs a warm hug!

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches, but use a multiple of 8 to keep the crown decrease the same.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 88 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches. Adjust in increments of 8 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 120 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Introducing Balmy Breezes!

It's been hot and rainy here in Delaware and Schnapps is keeping busy knitting hats. This is his latest design - thank you C.A. for the name! The model was knit using Vanna's Choice and used well less than one skein. The pattern includes directions for all yarn weights though, so you can make it using whatever yarn you have in your stash at the moment.

Don't forget that we are still collecting Finn Hats for Kidshealth and the A.I DuPont Hospital for Children. These hats are really making a difference for pre-K children and their families. Click here for more information and for the free pattern.

A few people have asked me recently how much our chemo caps cost. I just wanted to share here what I also posted on our Facebook page:

Just to remind everyone - ALL hats from Delaware Head Huggers, whether they are ones that Schnapps and I make or ones you donate to us, are given to those who need them 100% free of charge. We ship to individuals or to treatment centers throughout the United States. All postage costs are paid by us (with help from many of your generous donations!) and no hats are sold, ever. If you know a person, center or hospital that needs hats, please let me know and I will send some out.

He couldn't resist modeling this one!

Balmy Breezes

You will need worsted weight yarn and size 9 circular needles and dpns or some other combination of needles and yarn listed below.

Abbreviations:
yo: yarn over
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one
p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 72 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures about 1.5 inches in length. Make brim longer or shorter if you prefer

Work Pattern:
Row 1: *k3, yo, k1, yo twice, k1, yo twice, k1, yo, k2*; repeat around
Rows 2 & 6: purl all stitches, dropping extra loops
Rows 3 & 7: knit all stitches
Rows 4 & 8: purl all stitches
Row 5: *k1, yo twice, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, yo twice*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece is about 7.5 inches in length or longer if you want a slouchy hat.

Decrease Crown: use dpns when needed
Row 1: *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *p5, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *p3, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 5: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6: *p1, p2tog*; 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 give it to someone who could use some extra love!

The pattern is worked over 8 stitches.

To knit this using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 64 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches. Adjust in increments of 8 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Introducing Vines of Hope!

Schnapps is keeping busy! This is his latest hat. Thank you Deonne for the name suggestion!

This was knit using one skein of Vanna's Colors, but any 5-weight yarn would work also. The pattern has instructions for all yarn weights too. Use whatever you have in your stash and make a chemo cap for someone today! This is an easy pattern that works up quickly.

Remember, it's not too late to join the Finn Hat Project! We are collecting hats for Kidshealth.org which is part of the A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. They have produced a video that helps pre-school age children understand what to expect from their cancer treatment. Take a look at the amazing video here.

The blog post, mandatory colors, yarn suggestions and pattern info can be found here:

So far we have collected 269 Finn Hats from all over the country!


Schnapps, hard at work on his latest creation!

Vines of Hope

You will need 80 - 100 yards of 5-weight yarn and size US 10.5 circular needles or another combination of needles and yarn listed below.

Abbreviations:
k2togtbl: knit 2 stitches together through the back loop

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

skpsso: slip one stitch, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch and drop

Cast on 64 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat across
Row 2: *k2togtbl then k2tog the same 2 stitches, p2*; repeat across
Row 3: *k1, yo, k1, p2*; repeat across
Row 4: *skpsso, k1, p2*; repeat across

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece is 6.5 to 7 inches in length. .
Decrease Crown:

Row 1: *k2, p2 *; repeat around
Row 2: *k2tog, p2*; repeat around
Row 3: *k1, p2tog*; 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 give this hat to someone who could use a little extra hope today!

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches. To keep the crown decrease the same adjust in multiples of 8 .

To knit this using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 96 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches. Adjust in increments of 8 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 120 stitches.

If using a different weight, you might have to add more rows to the crown decrease.

Feel free to use dpns if you prefer!

All are welcome to join us in some way! If you know anyone who needs chemo caps, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will send some out to anywhere in the USA.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids