Schnapps

Schnapps
Our mascot - ALWAYS!
Showing posts with label blanket square pattern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blanket square pattern. Show all posts

Monday, August 18, 2014

Introducing Hopeful Trails!

Schnapps has been busy knitting things for the craft fair, but his true calling is making hats, so he's been making several in between other items.  Some will be sold, but many will be sent off with the other chemo caps that we ship.  Colder weather is coming, so please, think about making and donating some chemo caps - to us or to your local cancer center - there is a huge need!

I will be posting more patterns for sale soon - patterns are a fund raiser for us - remember that all hats are shipped completely free of charge by me.  The pattern sales are used to help cover postage and supply costs. Please help if you can.  There are links to my Ravely and Craftsy stores as well as a Donate here button to the right as well.  Every little bit truly does help.


We are in need of hats of all colors, sizes and styles.  The requirements are that the hats are new and handmade – no store bought items are accepted.  Hats should be free of pet hair, come from a smoke free environment and if laundered, should be washed with unscented detergents.  Absolutely no scented dryer sheets should be used please.  People undergoing chemotherapy are very sensitive to scented items and we don’t want to make them ill.  These guidelines are universal - and if you donate directly to centers, they do not have the ability to wash the hats, so they may be given away or thrown out so that they don't make the patients sick.

Someone on Facebook had a problem with the request of not using scented dryer sheets and told me that I should be more than happy to wash every single hat that comes in.  Please realize that so far, more than 14,250 chemo caps have gone through my home.  I do not have the time nor the resources to wash each hat.  If they are heavily scented they can not be sent out to people who need them.  I know that everyone wants their hats to be loved and used.  Most people aren't aware of the chemical sensitivities of others, so I just wanted to pass along the info.

 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.  

Schnapps is keeping busy!
 
 Hopeful Trails


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

Abbreviations:
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one.
p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together as one.

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

Work Pattern:

Row 1:  *k3, p1*; repeat around

Row 2:  p1, *k1, p3*; repeat from * to * around.  You will end with p2.

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


Decrease Crown:
Row 1: *k2tog, k1, p1 *; repeat around
Row 2: *k1, p2tog*; 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 this hat along with some hugs, hope and love, to someone!

 
The pattern is worked over 4 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10 needles and cast on 60 stitches. 

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 80 stitches. 

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 4 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches. 
 



  

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Introducing the Megstrong Square and the Body Nuzzler Square

Schnapps has been busy working on some blanket squares for Meagan's blanket.  He's got new hat ideas in mind, but is finishing up the squares first.  He and I are apparently a bit challenged when it comes to getting things perfectly square and exactly 12 inches, but we're getting better!

These patterns can easily be used for whole blankets, throws, shawls or scarves or even wash cloths.  We've included instructions for changing the size.  The cast on number of stitches was for my 12 inch square.  Check your gauge if making a square.  Multiply the number of cast on stitches for the width you want.  For example, if making a baby blanket that you want 36 inches wide, cast on 3 times the number of stitches I used.  If you want a 60 inch wide throw, cast on 5 times the number, etc.

The first square was knit using Lion Brand Pound of Love in a pale yellow.  I'm calling it the Megstrong Blanket Square. 



The second square was knit using Caron Simply Soft in a pastel aqua.  We had about 7 inches of it done before we realized that it was 13 inches wide, so we had to rip it all out and start over.  This square is knit using the pattern from the Noggin Nuzzler Cap, so I'm calling it the Body Nuzzler Square.


Schnapps and I ask all of you to keep Meagan and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers each day.  Please send some hugs, hope and love to them all.  

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.  We love to hear from everyone!

The Megstrong Blanket Square
This was knit using worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles.  To get a 12 inch square, I cast on 56 stitches.  The pattern must be multiples of 3 plus 2, so adjust accordingly. 

yo = yarn over 

Row 1:  Knit all stitches

Row 2:  k1, *p3tog but leave on needle, yo, then p3tog (the same 3 stitches) again*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, k1

Row 3:  Knit all stitches

Row 4:  Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 to desired length, ending on any row but Row 2.  Bind off all stitches knit wise.



The Body Nuzzler Square
This was knit using worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles.  To get a 12 inch square I cast on 54 stitches.  The pattern must be in multiples of 4 plus 2, so adjust accordingly.

Row 1:  k2, *p2, k2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2:  p2, *k2, p2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 3:   p2, *k2, p2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 4:  k2, *p2, k2*; repeat from * to * across row

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 to desired length, ending on any row.  Bind off in pattern.  

 

Delaware Head Huggers  
Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, August 3, 2013

The Braided Hope Blanket Square or more!

Schnapps and I have been busy this week!  We packed all the gorgeous MEGSTRONG items that we had and shipped them to NY for the fundraiser.  There was over 26 pounds in those boxes!  I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity and love from so many!  THANK YOU each and every one of you who participated!  We have toys, household items such as washcloths and potholders, jewelry, scarves, bookmarks and just so many beautiful items crafted with hugs, hope and love.  All are posted on our Facebook page if you'd like to see them.

MEGSTRONG boxes headed to NY!


Then, the Amazing Miriam had a brilliant idea!  She suggested making a blanket for Meagan.  All these items will sell to help Meagan, but sometimes, you just need the warmth of a hug from a handmade blanket.  So, some of us are making blanket squares that Miriam has so generously offered to put together into a blanket for Meagan.  We're hoping to have the squares done and to Miriam by August 18th or so, which I know is short notice, but if anyone would like to participate, we're doing 12 inch squares, either knit or crochet, made from worsted weight, machine washable and dryable yarn in only pastel colors.  Any pastel is fine, but please keep to pastels only so they coordinate well with each other.  And please only use worsted weight yarn for continuity! Also, please use a 12 x 12 template to make sure it's the right size and send a very long tail or small ball of yarn in case Miriam needs to crochet a border.  If you'd like to send a square, email me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I can send you Miriam's address, or you can just send the squares to me, as you do hats and blankets and I will forward them.  



Since I really like the Braided Hope hat pattern, I wanted to do a Braided Hope blanket square.  This can easily be increased to do an entire blanket also.  It's a very easy pattern and no cables are involved at all.  My square seemed to be a perfect 12 inch square, but the ribbing pulls in on itself a bit after it is blocked making it slightly smaller.  Now, Miriam says that it should still work fine in the blanket, but keep it in mind if you are trying to make this to an exact size.  




Now we're working on a new pattern for another square!  We'll let you know how it turns out!

 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.  We love to hear from everyone!


Braided Hope Blanket


I used Vanna's Choice worsted weight yarn and size 9 needles.  If using other worsted weight and size 8 needles, you will need to add more stitches.  I cast on 50 - you need a multiple of 4 plus 2.

Row 1:  p2, *k2, p2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2:  k2, *p2, k2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 3:  p2, *k2tog then without dropping the stitches off you left hand needle knit just the first stitch then drop both; p2*;  repeat from * to * across row

Row 4:   k2, *p2, k2*; repeat from * to * across row

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until desired length.  End on a Row 3 and bind off in pattern. 


If making this a blanket, cast on for the appropriate size.  For example, for a 36 inch blanket, cast on 150;  for a 48 inch blanket, cast on 202; for a 60 inch blanket cast on 250, etc.  If you are making a square and are concerned about the slight shrink due to the ribbing, you can always cast on an extra 4 stitches to begin with.  That should give you plenty of room for a bit of pulling.

If using other yarn, check your gauge and just remember that this pattern is a multiple of 4 plus 2 and have fun!

And yes, you could make this into a scarf by simply working the 50 stitches for however long you want your scarf to be!

It could even be a washcloth or a dishcloth! 



 
Delaware Head Huggers  

Kozy Kovers for Kids