Introducing Contiguous Color!

 This latest hat pattern is fun to knit, works up quickly and can be customized to whatever yarn you have on hand in your stash!  Chemo caps are in high demand.  They always are!  Please consider making some for your local cancer center even if you are using this pattern for another purpose.

When All Free Knitting approached me about helping them celebrate their 10th birthday with a new pattern, I was excited!  Contiguous Color appears, in full, on their website as well as here. Be sure to drop by All Free Knitting and wish them a Happy Birthday!

I worked up three new patterns and a vote put to our Facebook members had this design winning.  Join us on FB to see all new patterns as soon as they come off the needles!  This model was knit using chunky 5-weight yarn, but, of course, the pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights!  Imagine all the color combinations you could use for this one!

We are still accepting and shipping out hats to those undergoing chemotherapy.  Recently boxes have been shipped to Montana, Delaware, Florida and more!  All hats are shipped completely free of charge.  If you are able to help us out, please do!

Postage costs keep rising! (A typical box to a center with about 70 -100 hats in it runs between $28 - $50 depending on where it is going) The website renewal is this month (many people who need hats find us through that, so I don't want to cancel it at this time) and I will be ordering more tags and shipping supplies in the next couple of weeks.  

Most of my patterns are posted free for everyone to use so that everyone can make hats to help others. Periodically I put some patterns into e-books or paperbacks for sale to help raise funds to defray operating costs. Every pattern purchase helps me keep shipping hats to those who need them. 

I will be putting together a new ebook soon and I will be working on more notecards too. Hopefully a nature calendar for 2022 also!

For those interested in donating: We always needs hats, moral support, encouragement and funds!

There is a donate button on the Delaware Head Huggers website and right here on this page. Anyone who wishes to donate by check can send a check to Robin Agar, 202 Acorn Forest Dr., Felton, DE 19943 - I don't have a business account, so I can't cash checks made out to DEHH.

Together we are making a difference, one hat at a time, with hugs, hope and love! Thank you! 

Contiguous Color

You will need size 10, 16 inch circular needles and 2 colors of 5-weight yarn or another combination below.

Abbreviations:

sl:  slip one stitch, knit wise

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color B, cast on 72 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color B

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.

Work Body of Hat:

Set Up Row:   Color A:  knit all

Rows 1 & 2:   Color B:  *k2, s1, k3, s2* repeat around

Rows 3 & 4:   Color A:  *(k1, s1)x3, k2*; repeat around

Rows 5 & 6:   Color B:  *s1, k3, s1, k2, s1* repeat around

Rows 7 & 8:   Color A:  *k2, s1, k3, s1, k1*; repeat around

Rows 9 & 10:  Color B:  *s1, k2, s2, k3* repeat around

Rows 11 & 12:  Color A:  *k1, s1, k3, s1, k1, s1*; repeat around

Rows 13 & 14:  Color B:  *k2, s2, k2, s1, k1* repeat around

Rows 15 & 16:  Color A:  *(s1, k3)x2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 16 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.

Work Crown:  Color B  

Row 1:    knit all stitches 

Repeat Row 1  until your work measures about 8 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

Crown Decrease:  Color B :  use dons when needed

Row 1:   *k6, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 2:   *k5, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 3:   *k4, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 4:   *k3, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 5:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 6:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 7:   * 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 48.  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 88.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 104 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 8 stitches.  

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 Pinball!

All of us, all over the world are still battling COVID-19.  So many lives have been lost since I posted the last pattern on April 1, 2020.  I hope that all of you are safe and healthy and that your families are too.  Delaware Head Hugger operations are still suspended for the foreseeable future.  Hopefully, someday, we will be able to get back to normal.  Stay safe and be well!

To navigate through scary times, I find distractions are helpful.  I've been spending a lot of time in my yard watching the birds and bees and butterflies and some time knitting as well.  This is a hat pattern that I originally made a year or so ago and then promptly lost my pattern notes.  So, I decided to work it out again and share it with everyone.  To show how if at first you don't succeed, this pattern was worked out 3 different times before I got it the way I wanted it to look.  To me, it looks like a pinball machine a bit and I know I feel like life has become a pinball machine, so I thought the name fit.

The first try, I wasn't paying attention and had a partial pattern repeat on the bottom of the hat.

On the second try I had a partial pattern repeat on the bottom and at the top of the hat!  Now, neither of these ruins the hat, so if you want to knit it this way, it works fine.  But, it wasn't what I had planned - I just wasn't paying attention.

Finally, I did it the way I had envisioned!  This used 5-weight yarn and size 11 needles, because that's what I had ready to go in my stash.  Instructions for all yarn weights are included.

Pinball

You will need 5-weight yarn in 2 colors and size 11 needles.

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 63 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 about 2.5 inches, or longer if you prefer, in length.  

Work Pattern:  all stitches are knit stitches.  The numbers and letter refer to color:  In the models Color A is gray and B is turquoise.   Color A is seafoam and B is pink.  Color A is brown and B is cream.

First Repeat Only IF you want to prevent the start of the partial pattern as seen on the seafoam/pink hat and the brown/cream hat.

Row 1:  *1B, 8A*; repeat around

Row 2:  *1B, 1A, 1B, 6A*; repeat around

Then work rows 3-6 and repeat 1-6, as below, as needed.

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

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

Row 3:   *1B, 1A, 2B, 5A*; repeat around

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

Row 5:   *1B, 2A, 2B, 2A, 1B, 1A*; repeat around

Row 6:   *1B, 5A, 2B, 1A*; repeat around 

Repeat Rows 1 - 6 until piece is about 7 inches in length.  

End with a Row 4 and work Rows 5 & 6 as below.

Last Repeat Only IF you want to avoid the partial pattern at the top of the seafoam/pink version.  If not, just work the last 2 rows as written.

Row 5:  *1B, 2A, 2B, 4A*; repeat around

Row 6:  *1B, 8A*; repeat around

Work Crown:  Using Color A:  

Row 1:    knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until piece is 7.5 - 8 inches in length.

Work Decrease in Color A:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:     *k7, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:     *k6, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 3:     *k5, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:     *k4, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 5:     *k3, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 6:     *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 7:     *k1, k2tog*; repeat around 

Row 8:      *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 15 needles and cast on 45.

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 81. 

  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 6 needles and cast on 108.   

If using 2-weight yarn, use size 4 needles and cast on 144.  

This  pattern is worked over 9 stitches.  

Adjust accordingly for size differences.

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!

Introducing Acclivity!

It's almost Thanksgiving!  We are in prime chemo cap weather right now and hats are flying in and out to cancer centers weekly!  Please remember your local cancer center when crafting gifts this holiday season.  Just one hat really can make a big difference to someone battling cancer.

This latest hat was knit using KnitPicks Brava Bulky and it's a fast and easy knit that you can make in any combination of colors!  You could even make it more of a stash buster and use a third color for the brim and crown.  Have fun with it.  I knit it once using size 11 needles and once on size 10.5's and they both are nice sized, adult hats.  Use what you have in and make a great hat!

Many people still ask me how to best adjust patterns for the yarn they have at home.  Stash Hats is a great reference to help you make a terrific hat using the yarn already in your stash.  Pick your brim, body and crown and learn how to adapt patterns from circular to straight needles and vice versa as well as how to adjust a pattern for different yarn weights.  Stash Hats is available as a paperback or Kindle e-book on Amazon and in my Ravelry store and on Etsy too!

Photo notecards are slowly being added to my Etsy store.  Check them out if you have some time.  Join us on Facebook to see all the latest hats and blankets that come in and see new patterns as soon as they are released.  

Acclivity

 Knit Using 2 colors of 5-weight yarn and size 10.5 or 11 circular needles, or some other combination listed below.  For the model, Color A is gray, Color B is teal.

Abbreviations:

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:  *k2, p2*; repeat around

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

Work Body of Hat Using Colors A & B:  all stitches are knit

Set Up Row:  Using Color A, knit all stitches

Start Pattern:

Row 1:  *2A, 2B*; repeat around

Row 2:   *1B, 2A, 1B*; repeat around

Rows 3, 4 & 5:  *2B, 2A*; repeat around 

Row 6:   *1A, 2B, 1A*; repeat around 

Repeat Rows 1 - 6 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed:  Color A

Row 1:    knit all stitches

Row 2:   *k6, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k5, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:   *k4, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 5:   *k3, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 6:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 7:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 8:   *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 48.  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 88.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 104 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches.  Adjust in multiples of 8 to keep the crown decrease the same.

Model:  Color A is gray and Color B is teal

Alternate Model:  Color A is pink and Color B is black

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 Undulations! Announcing Stash Hats!

In honor of Schnapps, I am posting the pattern for Undulations here free for everyone.  The pattern includes instructions for all yarn weights and is a simple, stranded color work hat.  The model was worked using Knit Picks Cotlin yarn, so it's a great chemo cap for the summer months.  The pattern is a 10 stitch - 7 row repeat, so it will translate nicely into other weights as well.  Want to learn how to adapt all hat patterns for the yarn you already have?  I have a book for that!  :)

This pattern, as well as the pattern for the Lumpy, Bumpy Hat is available in the book Stash Hats also. 

I have created an eBook to help you design your own hat patterns, using whatever yarn you have in your stash.  I've been working on this for quite a while and while it's far from a comprehensive guide to hat knitting, it does cover all the basics that you need to get started.  Schnapps would want everyone to keep making a difference for those fighting cancer!  

Often I get questions about how to adapt patterns for different yarn weights and how to adjust them for different sizes.  I tried to cover all the main steps to doing that in Stash Hats.  The book also includes directions for adapting circular patterns for flat knitting and flat patterns for circular knitting.  I hope it helps many of you make fabulous hats!  Here is the Table of Contents so you get an idea of what's included.

         

Steps to Starting a Hat

  1.  Choosing yarn and needles       

  2.  Deciding on size

  3.  Knowing how many stitches to cast on

  3.  How to cast on for circular needles

Choosing Your Style

  1.  Different Brim Styles

  2.  Different Body Styles

  3.  Decreasing the crown

  4.  Adding Something Extra

  5.  Finishing 

Adapting Flat and Circular Knitting Patterns

  1.  From Circular to Flat:     Braided Hope Hat Pattern

  2.  From Flat to Circular:     Stylish Tiles Hat Pattern

Adapting A Pattern

  1.  Substituting yarn weights

  2.  Calculating yarn multiples/adjusting the size

Helpful Information

  1.  Reading Yarn Labels

  2.  Tips

BONUS:  

  1.  The Lumpy, Bumpy Hat pattern

      2.  Undulations Pattern

Stash Hats is available as a paperback book and a Kindle download from Amazon as well as a Ravelry e-book.  You can use the link on the right hand side of the page for the e-book or click here to go to my Amazon books.

Undulations

2 colors of 3-weight yarn and size 6 circular needles or another 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 gray and B is purple.  

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

Row 2:  *1A, 2B, 4A, 2B, 1A*; repeat around 

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

Row 4:   *2B, 1A, 4B, 1A, 2B*; repeat around

Row 5:   *1A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 1A*; repeat around

Row 6:   *2A, 2B, 2A, 2B, 2A*; repeat around 

Row 7:   *1B, 2A, 4B, 2A, 1B*; repeat around 

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

Knit End Row:  *4A, 2B, 4A*; repeat around

Work Crown:  Using Color B:  use dpn’s when needed 

Row 1:    knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 8 to 8.5  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.