Introducing A Textured Path and A Break in the Clouds!

It's December!  It's almost Christmas!  There is so much to be done that Schnapps and I are going full speed just about all day, every day.  Those of you who subscribe to the newsletter got the pattern for Textured Path a couple of weeks ago.  We just realized that we never shared it with everyone, so it's going up today.

We are also putting a new cowl pattern, A Break in the Clouds, up for sale.  You can purchase it directly here.  It is just $4 and all the proceeds go to Delaware Head Huggers!  It will be available in our Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  Directions include information for different yarn weights as well as instructions for modifying the size.  The model was knit using one skein of Lion Brand's Wool Ease Thick and Quick......just about 106 yards and an hour or so and you have a great gift!

Close up of the stitch detail.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving - we are thankful always for your help and support.  As of November 23, we have collected and distributed 18,835 chemo caps and 1,969 blankets.  Operation Bottle Beanies is still running and we collected many items for Code Purple as well.  We did a project for Bayhealth making tiny preemie items and in February we will again be participating in Red Hats for Heart Month with A.I. duPont Children's Hospital.  It takes many, many hands and hearts to make all these projects successful and we thank each of you who help in any way.

 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!

 

Textured Path

You will need about 70 yards of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles or some combination listed below.

 

 Abbreviations:

k1bbk: knit through the back of the stitch below, then knit the stitch above.

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

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

Work Brim:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Row 1:  purl all stitches
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 2  to 2.5 inches

Work Pattern:

Rows 1 & 3:  knit all stitches
Row 2:  *k2tog, k2, k1bbk,k2* ; repeat around
Row 4:   *k2, k1bbk, k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece measures 7.5 to 8  inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed
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 give it to someone special!

 

 If using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 70.

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 112 stitches.

The pattern is worked over 7 stitches.  

Schnapp's Mobius Shawl!

Schnapps and I have been looking at some of the new cowls and shawls that are out this year.  We have never watched Outlander, but hear that many great knit designs are seen on that show.  All the patterns we saw called for yarn or needles that we didn't have readily available, so Schnapps spent his Football Sunday making this.  I wasn't sure that I would like it, but it is actually very comfortable and toasty warm and it looks cute too.  Wide enough to cover your shoulders, but not long enough to get in my way while you are knitting! 

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!

Since everyone else seemed to like it also, we figured we would share our pattern with you.  This is easily knit by a beginner.

Schnapps used Homespun Thick and Quick and this used less than one skein.  Using size 19 needles give the finished fabric an airy, flowing feel without sacrificing warmth.

Cast on 27 stitches.

Knit all stitches in every row until your piece is 31 to 33 inches in length.  This is the length that worked well for me.  If you have wider shoulders, just knit a few more rows and make it longer.

Bind off all stitches keeping tension even.

Place bind off and cast on rows together.  Flip one side over to form the twist and seam.

Fluff it out and arrange it - this honestly took me longer than it took Schnapps to knit the whole thing!

Slide it over your shoulders and stay warm.  Or, better yet, give it as a gift to someone special.

See?  Super simple and super quick!

Use needles that are a couple of sizes larger than what your yarn

calls for to keep the fabric draping nicely.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 45.

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 10 needles and cast on 60.

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 84 stitches.

This pattern can be worked over any number of stitches, so

adjust it to your preferences!

Enjoy!

A Cowl for My Puppy!

Schnapps loves his scarves.  He always has one on in the cold weather and if you take it off him for some reason, he goes and finds it and brings it to you to put back on his neck.  But, I found that the scarf would stretch a little and gradually get longer and longer, until I had to tuck the ends through several times to keep them from dragging on the floor.  

Since cowls are such a big thing now, I thought, why not make one for him?  So I just took out my yarn stash, found some that would compliment his fur and set to work. I whipped up a quick one using a loom for his first one. In just about 30 minutes I had a nice, toasty warm cowl that fits him perfectly.

If you want to make one for your dog, just take his or her collar and measure it.  Add an inch or two (maybe 4 or 5 for large dogs) and make any cowl that you would make for a person. On a loom, just do a simple cast on, knit for as many rows as you think you need and do a stretchy bind off.  I'm going to make him some more soon.  

No more scarf ends trailing in the snow for Schnapps!