Introducing Sea Urchin!

 It's mid-February and the weather is crazy throughout most of the country!  I hope you are all staying safe and warm and dry.

This latest pattern is called Sea Urchin (thank you Kathleen for the name suggestion!).  It will fly off your needles when worked using super bulky yarn, but with just 2 rows in the pattern, it will go quickly, no matter what yarn weight you use.  I used Lion Brand Hometown yarn and one skein was more than enough.  The pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights, so you can make this hat with whatever you have in your stash.  It will look great in any color too!

Covid is still running rampant and making life very difficult for so many.  Many hospitals aren't accepting chemo caps at this time.  As much as we all want to help, donating hats to places that aren't accepting them will only end up with hats being discarded.  Please check with any sites before you send or drop off items.  DEHH is again accepting some hats, but there are still NO library drop off sites open.  All hats at this time must be machine washable and need to be washed before being mailed to me.  

More info about that can be found on www.delawareheadhuggers.org

SEA URCHIN

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

Abbreviations:

RC:  knit second stitch, but don’t drop off needles, then knit first stitch and drop both together

k1b: knit 1 stitch below

p2tog:  purl 2 stitches together 

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

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

Row 1: *RC, p2, k1, p2*; repeat around

Row 2: * k2, p2, k1b, p2*; repeat around 

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

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:    *RC, p2tog, k1, p2*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k2, p1, k1b, p2tog*; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog, p1, k1, p1*; 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 share.

If using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 63.  

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 105 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 7 stitches.  

Introducing Broken Stripes - the first pattern of 2020!

Well, it's a new decade, so we need some new hat patterns.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2020 is off to a good start.

I hope many of you made resolutions to make more chemo caps this year and to help more people!  The world needs more kindness and we are each responsible for trying to make things a little better in our own corners of the world.

This hat is a very versatile and easy knit.  You can make it using 2, 3 or 4 colors or even more!  As long as you have enough yarn to knit 4 rows, you can use up your stash and have fun with it.  I've worked it in a variety of ways to be sure it all works and it does.


The models were knit using 5-weight and 6-weight yarn, but the pattern has instructions for all yarn weights.  Use up your stash and make a great hat!  Most of my color inspiration came from nature.......but use your own experiences and whichever colors speak to you!

You will need 2, 3, 4 or more colors of 5-weight yarn and size 10.5 circular needles or another combination listed below.

Broken Stripes

Abbreviations:

s1: slip one stitch purl wise, with yarn in back

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 64 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 and 2 until your work measures 1.5 to  2 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

If you want a contrasting band just repeat Row 1 & 2, using Color D

Work Body of Hat 

Color B  Rows 1- 4:   knit all stitches 

Color C  Row 5:  *s1, k3*; repeat around 

Rows 6-8:   knit all stitches

Color B  Row 9:  *k2, s1, k1*; repeat around 

Rows 10-12:   knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 5 -12 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 5 or 9.  Decrease crown with whatever color you are using for the previous row.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog*; repeat around

If you only want to use 2 colors, use Color A for the brim and Rows 1-4, then switch to B for Rows 5-9, then back to A for 9-12 and continue alternating.  

You are switching colors on every Row 5 and Row 9, so use more colors if you want!

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 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 104 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches, so adjust accordingly for other sizes.  

Top Model:  Color A:  dark brown, Color D: red, Color B: green and Color C: orange

 Color A:  dk green, Color D:  white, Color B:  light brown, Color C:  dk brown

Color A:  brown, Color B:  orange, Color C:  cream

Color A:  dk green, Color B:  white

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

 Follow us on Pinterest or visit 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.   

Follow along on Twitter and Instagram too!  

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 helps 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 Vivid Hope!

It's the Winter Solstice!  The start of our favorite season of the year.  With Christmas just around the corner, Schnapps and I have been very busy....baking, wrapping, shopping......and all the things everyone has to do around the holidays.  But, Schnapps created a new hat this weekend and we wanted to share it as a holiday gift to all of you.

This time of year everyone seems to remember to be a little kinder, a little nicer, a little more patient............let's hope we can all capture that spirit and keep it going throughout 2018.

Remember,  we have three books published on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.  Paperbacks are printed in full color on 8.5 x 11 paper and will be delivered right to your door.  These could be good gift ideas for knitters you love.

Just go to Amazon.com and search "Knitting with Schnapps" or "Agar-Celli" to find them, or click here.  Sales of course go towards helping us cover shipping and supply costs for shipping hats out across the country.

Our family wishes all of you a beautiful holiday season and a 2018 that is filled with happiness, health and 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!

Vivid Hope

You will need 2 colors of 6-weight yarn and size US 13 needles, or some other combination listed below.


Abbreviations:
ktbl:  knit 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:  knit all stitches
Row 2:  purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 2 to
3 inches in length. 

Work Body of Hat:  Using Color B
Foundation Row:  knit all stitches
Row 1:  *p3, (k1, k1tbl, k1) in next stitch*; repeat around
Row 2:  *k3tog, p3*;  repeat around
Row 3:   *(k1, k1tbl, k1) in next stitch, p3*; repeat around
Row 4:   *p3, k3tog*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 4  until piece is about 5.5 to 6.5 inches in length.

Work Crown:  Using Color A
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 7.5 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
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 64.  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 76.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 96 stitches.   

This  pattern is worked over 4 stitches.  Adjust for size accordingly.