Introducing Gridwork!

This has been a hot, humid and rainy summer!  And every time it looks like it is going to get cooler, the weather turns right back around to hot.  I can't believe I am still working with cotton blend 3 weight yarn, but I think this is the last light weight hat that will be designed for this year.  Of course, you can work this with any yarn you have in your stash - instructions for all yarn weights are included below.

This time of year, the demand for chemo caps is huge.  If you can help, either locally or by sending hats to us, please do.  I can't keep up with the demand - as fast as hats come in, they are shipping out to treatment centers and offices for patients.   Remember, just one skein of yarn can really help make a difference.  Share the picture below to help raise awareness of the need for hats!

Remember that each of us is responsible for spreading kindness and love.  We try to make a difference - please join us!

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.  

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!

Gridwork

You will need 2 colors of 3-weight yarn and size US 6 needles, or some other combination listed below. 

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color B, cast on 110 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color B

Row 1:  *k3, p2*; repeat around

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 cream and B is green.  

Row 1:  *1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around 

Row 2:  *1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A*; repeat around 

Row 3:   *1B, 3A, 1B, 2A, 1B, 2A*; repeat around

Row 4:   * 1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A*; repeat around

Row 5:   *1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around

Row 6:   *1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A*; repeat around 

Row 7:   *1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around 

Row 8:   *2A, 1B, 2A, 1B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around 

Row 9:   *1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around 

Row 10:  *1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A*; repeat around 

Repeat Rows 1 -10 until piece is about 7 to 7.5  inches in length.

Work Crown:  Using Color B:  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 B:  

Row 1:     *k8, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 2:     *k7, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 3:     *k6, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 4:     *k5, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 5:     *k4, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 6:     *k3, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 7:     *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 8:     *k1, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 9:      *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 50.

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 90.   

If using 2-weight yarn, use size 4 needles and cast on 130.  

This  pattern is worked over 10 stitches.  Adjust accordingly for size differences. 

Introducing Step by Step!

Schnapps finished his latest design while he is resting.  We are taking extra good care of him and watching his health issues closely.  He wanted me to be sure to get this pattern up for everyone to share.  Don't be intimidated!  This is super simple..........truly.  Thank you Marcella for the name!  

We used Knit Picks Comfy and Shine sport weight yarn for this......it's what we had in our stash and it is so soft and great to work with.  This pattern is a great stash buster......use as many or as few colors as you'd like.  Instructions for all yarn weights are included.  Experiment and have some fun with it.

Schnapps is taking his medicine and getting LOTS of love.

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!

Step by Step

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

s1wyib: slip 1 stitch purlwise, holding yarn to the back

Using Color A, cast on 92 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Row 2:    purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until your work measures 2 inches in length.

Work Body of Hat:   Using Colors A & B & C  

Row 1:   Color A:  knit all

Rows 2, 3 & 4:  Color B:  *k3, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 5:   Color B:  knit all

Rows 6, 7 & 8:  Color C:    *k3, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 9:  Color C:  knit all 

Rows 10, 11 & 12:  Color B:  *k3, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 13:  Color B:  knit all

Rows 14, 15 & 16:  Color A:    *k3, s1wyib*; repeat around

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

Crown Decrease:  use dpn’s when needed:  Use the next color in the pattern.

Row 1:   *k3, s1wyib *; repeat around

Row 2:   *k2tog, k1, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 4:   *k2tog, k1*; repeat around

Row 5:    knit all

Row 6:   *k2tog*; repeat around

Repeat Row 6 if desired.

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.

Pattern can be done in just 2 colors:  

Row 1:  Color A:  knit all

Rows 2, 3 & 4:  Color B:  *k3, s1wyib*; repeat around

Row 5:  Color B:  knit all

Rows 6, 7 & 8:  k3, s1wyib

Repeat Rows 1-8

If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48.  

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 10 needles and cast on 64 stitches.

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 104 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches.

Introducing Springtime Stripes! Stash Buster Extraordinaire!

Pollen, warm weather and wind are here in Delaware these days.  Schnapps has been busy gardening and cleaning and shipping out hats.  He managed to knit this hat in between working on other things though and thinks it's a great way to use up some left over yarn.  He designed this using just three shades, but you could easily swap out every stripe for a different color.  Imagine all the different color combinations that are possible!  We hope you enjoy the pattern and have fun personalizing it with your color choices.

This was knit using Knit Picks Comfy sport yarn, a wonderfully cool and soft cotton blend yarn that is perfect for the warmer weather.  Instructions are included for all yarn weights too so you really can use up your stash.

  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 a happy boy!

Springtime Stripes

 

You will need about 120 yards of sport weight yarn and size US 6 circular needles or some combination of yarn and needles listed below.

Abbreviations:
S1wyif:  slip one stitch purl-wise, holding yarn in front, as if to purl

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 92 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim: 
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 1.5 inches long

Work Pattern: 
Using Color B: 
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Row 2:  purl all stitches

Using Color C:
Rows 3 & 5:  knit all
Row 4:  *p1, s1wyif*; repeat around
Row 6:   *s1wyif, p1; repeat around

Using Color B
Row 7:  knit all stitches
Row 8:  purl all stitches
Using Color A:
Rows  9 & 11:  knit all
Row 10:  *p1, s1wyif*; repeat around
Row 12:   *s1wyif, p1; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 12 throughout until piece is 6 to 6.5 inches long.  End with a Row 8.


Work Crown Using Just Color A:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is 7 to 7.5 inches long.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2:   knit all stitches
Row 3:  *k1, k2tog; repeat around
Row 4:   knit all stitches
Row 5:  *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6:   knit all stitches
Row 7:  *k2tog*; repeat around, end with k1

Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in ends and think about other color combinations!

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

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

To use 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 80 stitches. 

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches, but use a multiple of 4 to keep the brim and crown decrease the same. 

 

Introducing Sea & Sand!

We can not believe it is already June!  Do you realize there are less than 30 weeks until Christmas?!  2015 is flying by, but Schnapps is busy knitting all the time.  We had some gifts that had to be made and we just had work done on our home which kept us busy so we were not posting new patterns.  Things are calming down now and we are going through our cotton and cotton blend yarn stash and making new hats!  Schnapps made this one yesterday and it just reminded me of the sea and the sand.

He used 2 strands of Knit Picks CotLin yarn worked as one throughout.  We love that yarn - it's cool and crisp and soft.  There are instructions for how to adjust this pattern for other yarn weights below.  You could certainly knit this in just one color also and other color combinations would look great as well.

Schnapps is working on putting together an e-book with new pattern PDFs soon.  Here are a couple of his other latest hats:

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!

My happy boy! 

Schnapps and I made new house numbers recently and we have been working hard on our flower garden!  We both miss Winter though!  

Sea & Sand

 You will need 120 or so yards of a sport weight yarn and size 10.5 needles.  

Read below for information about 

 changing the sizing.

Abbreviations:
C2R:  next stitch to cable needle, held at back, slip 1 purlwise from LH needle (with yarn at back), then knit 1 from the cable needle
C2L: next stitch to cable needle at front, knit 1 from LH needle, the slip the stitch purwise from the cable needle (yarn at back)
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one

Holding 2 strands of Color A together, cast on 65 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 piece is 3 to 3.5 inches long.


Switch to Color B:

Foundation Row:  knit all stitches

Row 1:  *k1, C2R, k2, C2R, k1, C2L, K3*; repeat around
Row 2 and all even rows:  knit all stitches
Row 3:   *k4, C2R, k1, C2L, k2*; repeat around
Row 5:    *k3, C2R, k1, C2L, k2, C2L, k1*; repeat around
Row 7:    *k2, C2R, k3, C2L, k4*; repeat around
Row 9:    knit all stitches

Repeat Pattern Rows 1 - 8 if needed. 

Switch to Color A:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is 6.5 to 7 inches long.


Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1: *k11,  k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k10, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k9, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *k8,  k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5: *k7, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6: *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7: *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 8:  *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 9:   *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 10: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 11: *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 12:  *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!

This hat was worked using 2 strands of 3 weight yarn held together as one.  This could easily be changed to one strand of 5-weight yarn.

To use 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 52 stitches.  You might prefer to start your crown decrease at 7.5 to 8  inches and begin with decrease Row 10.

To use 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 78 stitches.  Repeat pattern rows if desired.

To use one strand of 3 weight yarn, use size 5 needles, cast on 104 stitches and repeat pattern rows if desired.

The pattern is worked over 13 stitches.