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

Happy 2022! Start off the year with Tessellation!

 The last 2 years have been difficult for everyone, so I wanted to start 2022 off on a good note with a brand new hat pattern - Tessellation!  I hope that 2022 will be inspiring for all of us and that I'll have several new patterns to share with everyone.  

This is a fun pattern to knit!  You only use one color at a time, so it's very simple.  A great stash buster, this pattern can be customized for any color palette.  The PDF includes information for all yarn weights, so you really can just grab some yarn from your stash and get knitting!  

Please consider supporting our mission of making a difference one hat at a time in 2022!  

To date, Delaware Head Huggers has made and distributed 38,338 chemo caps and counting.  Every week more hats come in and ship out to those in need of them.  Covid slowed us down, but didn't stop us.  Last year, even without being able to operate for a large portion of the year, we got 1,768 chemo caps onto heads that were cold.  I've got a goal of 5,000 for 2022.  We almost did that the year right before Covid, so I'm thinking we can definitely manage that now.

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.  

Tessellation PDF

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 Colors of the Season!

It's almost Christmas and there are so many things to get done!  But, chemo caps are still in huge demand and so I keep on knitting them!  Thank goodness I have lots of help and we have already passed the 4,000 hat mark for this year!

Since everyone liked this hat and several people asked for the pattern, I'm adding it here rather than putting it only in the next book.  There are two variations included.

Merry Christmas to all!  Enjoy it and please, make one to donate to someone in need.

Variation 1

Variation 2

This was knit using LionBrand Hometown USA, but of course, directions include all yarn weights too.  This pattern is a great stash buster too!  Change the color scheme however you like.  Use 2 colors, use 5 colors - there are almost endless possibilities.  Match colors to the weather and knit one for every season!  We'd love to see what you choose to knit this pattern.  

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  

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.   

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!

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.

Colors of the Season

Knit using 4 colors of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles or another combination listed below.

VERSION 1:  In the model Color A is white, Color B is green, Color C is black and Color D is gray.

Abbreviations:

S1: slip next stitch with yarn held in back

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:   *k1, p1*; repeat around

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

Foundation Row Using Color A: knit all

Work Body of Hat

Using Color B:

Row 1:  *s1, k1*; repeat around

Row 2:  *s1, p1*; repeat around

Row 3:  knit all stitches

Row 4:  purl all stitches 

Switch to Color C:

Row 5:  *k1, s1*; repeat around

Row 6:  *p1, s1*; repeat around

Row 7:  knit all stitches

Row 8:  purl all stitches

Switch to Color D: Work Rows 1-4

Switch to Color A:  Work Rows 5-8

Continue working pattern, switching colors on Rows 1 and 5 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 3 or 7.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:   *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.

VERSION 2:  In the model Color A is gray, Color B is green, Color C is maroon and Color D is gray.

Abbreviations:

S1: slip next stitch with yarn held in back

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:   *k1, p1*; repeat around

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

Foundation Row Using Color B: knit all

Work Body of Hat

Using Color B:

Row 1:  *s1, k1*; repeat around

Row 2:  *s1, p1*; repeat around

Row 3:  knit all stitches

Row 4:  purl all stitches 

Row 5:  *k1, s1*; repeat around

Row 6:  *p1, s1*; repeat around

Row 7:  knit all stitches

Row 8:  purl all stitches

Switch to Color C: Work Rows 1-4

Switch to Color D:  Work Rows 1-4

Continue working Rows 1-4 of pattern, switching colors on Rows 1 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 3.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:   *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.  

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 100 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches, but adjust in multiples of 4 to keep the crown decrease the same.  

Feel free to use just fewer or more colors. 

Introducing Corrugation!

It's the holiday season and that means chemo caps are in great demand!  I know everyone is busy, but please try to make some hats to donate, either to us or to your local cancer center to help brighten someone else's holiday.  Today is Giving Tuesday and I'm gifting all of you with this free pattern, so please, keep it going.

This hat is a very simple pattern that I like because it has so much texture.  There are tons of color combinations possible or you could just use one color throughout.  This would look great in a variegated yarn also.  Of course, directions for all yarn weights are included below so you can just use your stash and make a hat!  The brim is a great stash buster too.

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or to find our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  

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.   

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!

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.

Corrugation

Use 2 colors of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles.

In the model Color A is black, B is maroon.

Abbreviations:

kB1:  knit next stitch through the back loop

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:  *k1,p1*; repeat around

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

Work Body of Hat Using Color B:

Foundation Row:  knit all stitches

Rows 1 - 6:  *p3, kB1, p2*; repeat around

Row 7-12:   *kB1, p5*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 through 12 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 1 or a Row 7.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

If ended on Row 1:

Row 1:   *p3, kB1, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *p2tog, p1, kB1, p1*; repeat around

Row 3:   *p2tog, kB1, p1*; repeat around

Row 4:    p1,*kB1, p2tog*; repeat to last 2 stitches, kB1, p1

Row 5:    *p2tog*; repeat to last stitch, p1

If ended on Row 7:

Row 1:   *kB1, p3, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *kB1, p2, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 3:   *kB1, p1, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:    *kB1, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 5:    *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 share.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 66.  

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.   

If using lighter yarn, you might want to repeat Row 5 of the crown decrease until the top opening is small enough.

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches.  

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.