Knitting with Schnapps

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Tulle-Riffic Hat!

If you know me, you know that I love to play around with different stitches and try out some new hat patterns. I stumbled across the Tulle Stitch and thought it would make a nice hat........not too open, but with some pretty texture. I hope you like it. The pattern is free below, but I do ask you to come to our Facebook page and like us and follow along with us as we deliver thousands of hats to people across the country.

If you have trouble printing this, it is available as a PDF here.

The Tulle-Riffic Hat

Size 8 circular needles

Worsted weight yarn – less than 200 yards

Explanations:

YO – yarn over – bring the yarn around the needle, to the front and work the next stitch in the way required.

SSK – slip, slip, knit - Slip one stitch knitwise, then slip the next stitch knitwise, then place the left hand needle into the front of the 2 slipped stitches and knit the two together.

Cast on 99 stitches.

Garter Stitch Brim:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 rows.

Work Tulle Stitch:

Row 1: *K1, yo, K1*, repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 2: K1, *K3, slip 1^st stitch over other 2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 3: K1, *K1, yo, K1*, repeat from * to * across row

Row 4: *K3, slip 1^st stitch over other 2*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Continue repeating Rows 1-4 until the piece measures about 7 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:

Row 1: *K7, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2: Knit all stitches

Row 3: *K6, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 4: Knit all stitches

Row 5: *K5, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 6: Knit all stitches

Row 7: *K4, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 8: Knit all stitches

Row 9: *K3, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 10: Knit all stitches

Row 11: *K2, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Row 12: Knit all stitches

Row 13: *K1, SSK * ; repeat from * to * across row

Cut working yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw yarn through stitches left on the needle and cinch closed.

Enjoy! Happy Knitting Everyone!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Goal Met - Week 14!

It seemed to take longer than usual to get my two hats finished this week, but I did it! Here they are. The blue one is a new pattern that will be posted separately.

I've got so many projects that I want to cast on, but if I had any doubt that I need to keep making hats, I received 2 emails lately that showed me just how important Delaware Head Huggers is to so many. I'm going to share them here, with all personal information taken out, of course. I am humbled and amazed that in the midst of the health crisis these people and their families find themselves in, they find the time and take the effort to write to me.

"Words can not express the love I have in my heart for you and all the people who make the hats and help at Delawareheadhuggers. My wife is a cancer patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Rockville Centre New York. She is receiving aggressive Chemo treatment that makes her cold all the time and the gift of the hat has helped so much. She loves it and it looks very nice when she has it on.
I thank you Robin and please tell all the volunteers who make the hats "THANK YOU" from us and all the cancer patients that enjoy them. You all are "Special" people."

and

"I can't tell you how much the box of beautifully handmade hats is. They are just such a tremendous surprise. I will keep 2 and share the rest at the cancer clinic.

I was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer in late November of last year. I've had 4 chemo treatments and have the 5th this next week. I'll have 2 tests tomorrow which will determine if the tumors have shrunk and will move forward from there. That is my big hope right now. I'm on many prayer lists and now my healing will be in God's hands.

There are people in the world that talk about doing something for the better and perhaps never start and there are people like you that get with the program and do things for others. I've never received a gift from someone I don't know so you are my first.
May you be blessed daily with tiny miracles that are always sprinkling around us. I thank you and your Head Huggers for being absolutely beyond thoughtful. "

Please, spread the word about us and help us if you are able.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, March 30, 2012

Goal Met - Week 13!

Another week and more hats finished! This week I've got 3 ready to go and one more on my needles. The one I am working on is a new pattern and I am not at all sure how it will turn out....I'm hoping that it doesn't have to be ripped out and started over, but we'll see.

Here are the three I've done:

Delaware Head Huggers got in bunches more hats - so our total so far is 6,408 and more are on the way!

Kozy Kovers for Kids received more blankets as well and our total there is up to 724 with a couple already here waiting to be tagged and added to the total!

Not much else to post this week so far. If I can finish the one hat and it's ok, I will post the pattern too.

Happy Knitting Everyone!!!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Crossed Comfort Cap

This time when I knit the hat, I wrote down what I was doing, so that I can share the pattern here! I've decided on the Crossed Comfort Cap since it uses the crossed stitch pattern and it is a comfy, cozy cap! I love the visual texture of the stitch - it gives it a little something extra. Both fit adults - the navy is knit on size 10 needles and fits more snugly. The turquoise is worked on size 11 needles and is a bit roomier. Either will work nicely as chemo caps or as winter caps for a loved one.

I spend a lot of my time trying to make a difference and do some good. I love to hear from people who read this blog and view the patterns. By all means, if you find a mistake, point it out! I'm more than capable of making mistakes and I need help finding them. I always offer to email the patterns to anyone who has trouble printing them and I have done so literally hundreds of times.......and I have met some amazing people too. I've met people who need caps sent to friends, people who are making a difference in their communities, in other countries and just wonderful people who say "hi". I've answered all sorts of questions and I will always answer an email. It makes my world a happier place to know that so many people are out there doing good things!

But, I've decided something too.......the rare few who post negative comments......will be deleted. This blog is about bringing cheer and happiness to people......about making the world a better place in a tiny way. If you have trouble printing the pattern email me. If you have a question or find a mistake, comment here or email me - I'm grateful to hear from everyone and I will answer and correct any errors found. But, if you're just cranky, irritated, lazy or rude and you comment here, I've given myself permission to delete your comments so that you don't taint the wonderful feeling that I want everyone to get when they read this. There - off my soapbox now and on to the new pattern!

If you have any trouble printing this pattern it can be found as a PDF here.

Crossed Comfort Hat

5-weight yarn: (dark blue was Premier Serenity Chunky Tweed and the turquoise was Loops & Threads Charisma )

Size 10 or 11 circular knitting needles: (the dark blue model was stitched with size 10 circular needles. Size 11 circulars were used for the turquoise model)

Explanations:

Slip 1 purlwise: Holding the working yarn as if you were going to purl the stitch, just slip the stitch from the left needle onto the right needle, without purling the stitch.

YO: yarn over – wrap the working yarn around the needle, creating another stitch.

K2tog: knit two stitches together, decreasing the total number of stitches.

Cast on 56 stitches

Work in K2, P2 rib for 2 inches:

Row 1: K2, P2 across row

Repeat Row 1 until piece is desired length

Work in Crossed Stitch Pattern until piece is 8 inches in length:

Row 1: * slip 1 purlwise, K1, yo, pass slipped stitch over both stitches*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2: Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece is desired length

Decrease the crown:

Row 1: * slip 1 purlwise, K1, yo, pass slipped stitch over both stitches*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2: *K5, K2tog* ; repeat from * to * across row (this row will then have 48 stitches)

Row 3: * slip 1 purlwise, K1, yo, pass slipped stitch over both stitches*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 4: *K4, K2tog* ; repeat from * to * across row (this row will then have 40 stitches)

Row 5: * slip 1 purlwise, K1, yo, pass slipped stitch over both stitches*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 6: *K3, K2tog* ; repeat from * to * across row (this row will then have 32 stitches)

Row 7: K2tog across row

Finish:

Cut working yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Draw the end through the stitches left on your needle and cinch closed.

Weave in ends.

Enjoy your hat or better yet, give it to someone undergoing chemo to help them get through their treatment.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Goal Met - Week 12

Once again, I met my goal of 2 hats for Delaware Head Huggers this week. I really hope to be more productive as the year goes by, but at least I'm getting a couple done each week. The red and gray hat is a loom knit and the navy blue one is a new pattern that I will be posting separately.

I've had hats and blankets come in this week, as always and I am simply amazed at the lovely things that everyone makes in an attempt to help others. More items came in this morning from the library and many more are on the way. I absolutely love sitting and looking at all these beautiful items and realizing just how many people truly care!

I finally finished the blanket I've been working on for a while now. It's a gift, but I loved the pattern: Red Heart Playful Blanket, so I will be making another one for Kozy Kovers for Kids in the near future.

I've got so many ideas for different hats and blankets and I've got a shawl pattern floating around in my head. Hopefully I will find time to get everything I want to knit accomplished. I'll be working on more hats as always next week. I'm not sure if I will cast on another blanket or if I'll play around with some smaller projects, but whatever it is, I'll share it here too.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Goal Met - Week 11!

Just made it this week, finishing hat number 2 at about 9 PM on Saturday night. But, I did it! The Springtime Slouch was hat number 1 this week. The pattern is in the previous blog post - it's a lightweight, slouchy hat that knits up great in a cotton yarn.

I'm not sure what I'll be naming hat number 2 yet.......... I was concentrating so much on finishing it by my self imposed deadline that I wasn't paying attention to writing the pattern down. So, right now, I'm knitting another one, so my first hat for Week 12 will be done soon and then I will post the pattern. This one was knit using Charisma yarn, which I really love. It's very soft and I'm a big fan of bulky weight yarn anyway. This color is an eye catcher too. The one I'm working on now is a darker blue, knit in Serenity instead. I thought the contrast in yarns would be nice. Then I'll decide on a name too!

It's been a busy week and a busy weekend, but I'm happy I met my goal for Delaware Head Huggers!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

HAPPY KNITTING!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Springtime Slouch!

The Springtime Slouch

Well, it’s interesting to see how ideas can turn into something completely different! I started this hat using the “bed-jacket stitch” a variation of the stockinette stitch using 2 different size needles. I’m not sure the stitch even shows up very well, although, when the hat is stretched, you can see the difference in size of the stitches. This hat is rather large – it will definitely fit a person with a “larger than usual” (like my Mom) head. It will also be fine for someone with a smaller head, it will just slouch more.

I think that when I make this again, I’ll cast on 76 stitches instead of 88 and make it just a little smaller.

It was so unseasonably warm here this week that I just had to knit with cotton……..this is made with Sugar n’ Cream, but any worsted weight yarn would work fine. An acrylic or a wool blend will add a bit more stretch to the hat and will also make it a bit warmer. Use whatever yarn type will work best for the moment and try variations to see which you like best too!

I think a contrasting flower added to the side would be a nice touch…….I’ll be experimenting.

This is an easy knit, working up quickly. It’s knit flat and seamed up the back. And no, I don’t have a pattern for it in the round yet……..if I play around with it and get one together I will post it as well.

This pattern is free and I hope you enjoy it. If you have a minute, please check out our facebook pages or websites to learn about the2 charities I run. All the info is at the bottom of this post. We love support and good wishes………so stop by and join us……no donations or contributions are necessary – we like moral support too!

The pattern can also be found here as a PDF.

The Springtime Slouch

Worsted weight yarn (I used one skein of Lily’s Sugar n’ Cream)

Size 7 knitting needles

Size 13 knitting needles

Cast on 88 stitches, using size 7 needles. (Cast on 76 for a snugger fit)

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for one and a half to two inches. K2, P2 across each row.

Work Bed-jacket pattern: (This is easy to do. Just work Row 1 as usual and then switch your right hand needle to a size 13. From then on, just work with the unmatched pair. All odd rows will be worked with the size 7 needle in your right hand, while the even, purl rows will be worked with the size 13 in your right hand.)

Row 1: Using size 7 needles, knit across the row, increasing one stitch so that you are now working with 77 stitches.

Row 2: Switch to size 13 needle and purl across the row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece is 8 inches long or longer if you want more of a slouch to your hat.

Decrease the crown: Skip Rows 1 and 2 if you began by casting on 76 stitches.

Row 1: *K6, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2: Purl across

Row 3: *K5, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 4: Purl across

Row 5: *K4, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 6: Purl across

Row 7: *K3, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 8: Purl across

Row 9: *K2, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 10: Purl across

Row 11: *K1, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 12: Purl across

Row 13: K2tog across

Cut working yarn leaving a long tail. Draw yarn through live stitches still on needle and cinch top of hat closed. Sew seam up the back and enjoy. Embellish as you wish.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, March 10, 2012

2 Hats and a Blanket - Week 10 of 2012

Busy week, full of good things. Thank goodness I managed to get my two hats knit. They are just simple, comfy hats. I managed to finish a couple of skeins of yarn from my stash while I was at it.

This was an amazing week for Delaware Head Huggers! More than 200 hats came in to be tagged and shipped out, bringing our running total to 6,233! I also dropped 100 hats off at Kent General Hospital and shipped out 3 boxes to various centers, delivering 285 hats this week. :)

Kozy Kovers for Kids has been having a fun week also. I'm trying to get people from all 50 states and as many other countries as possible to "like" us on Facebook. Lots of new people have stopped in to say hello and I hope they will consider making a blanket for a child in need. I dropped about 40 blankets off at Kent General's Emergency Department to have on hand to give to children brought in suffering from abuse or neglect. Sad to say, they won't last long, so we need more blankets! We're also working with Kind to Kids (www.kindtokids.org) on their Blue Duffel Campaign. We'd love to be able to put a blanket in each duffel bag. So far, they have about 100 and they need about 700 more! I'm sure they won't all be from us, but we will do what we can.

I finished my first blanket of the year for Kozy Kovers too! I love this pattern. It's a Lion Brand free pattern - Child's Knitted Blanket - Jiffy Pattern #690. The eyelet design gives it a beautiful look, but the pattern is super simple and knits up quickly. I didn't have any Jiffy on hand, so I used some stash yarn - but I love the finished look of this. I'm sure I will be making others using the same pattern.

Now I'm working on another baby blanket, but this one is for a gift. Then I'll get started on the next Kozy Kover.

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us. So, spread the word! Like us on Facebook, stop by the website, email me to just say HI. And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Happy Knitting!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

50 States, the Hugs & Kisses Hat and Week 9 - Goal Met!

I'm trying to get at least one person from each state to like Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook. Come join us there and follow us as we deliver blankets to children during traumatic times. We'd love to see you and your beautiful work too!

Well, I fell in love with a netting stitch that I saw and I had to make it into a hat. So, last night, I curled up with some chunky yarn (Charisma), size 13 needles and this is the end result:

I like it. I'm not entirely sure that it will make the perfect chemo cap, since it does have holes in it, but I'm sure it could work for warmer weather or for indoor wear. It's cute and cozy and sort of looks like XOXOXOX's (or so I have been told)

Today I decided to modify the pattern for knitting in the round too, since so many people have asked me to do that with my other patterns. I used another chunky yarn (this time, Jiffy) and size 13 circulars - but you could certainly used DPNs if you prefer. This was an easy adjustment.......just get rid of the edge stitches and change out purls for knits and you end up with this hat:

So, here it is Wednesday evening and I've already got my 2 hats for the week finished. Now that leaves the rest of the week for me to work on my blanket for Kozy Kovers for Kids and probably to get at least one more hat finished.

I hope you like these! The patterns are below and can also be found as a PDF.

The Hugs & Kisses Hat

For Straight needles:

Chunky or 5-weight yarn

Size 13 needles

Abbreviations:

Yo – yarn over

Sk2psso – slip one stitch knitwise, knit next 2 stitches, pass slipped stitch over both knitted stitches

P2tog – purl 2 stitches together

Cast on 48 stitches

Knit 6 rows

Begin Netting Stitch Pattern:

Row 1: K1, K1, * yo, sk2psso *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 2: Purl all stitches

Row 3: K1, * sk2psso, yo *; repeat from * to * to last 2 stitches. K1, K1

Row 4: Purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 of netting stitch pattern until piece measures about 8 inches.

Decrease crown:

Row 1: K1, K1, *yo, sk2psso*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 2: P1, * P1, P2tog*; repeat to last stitch, P1 (33 stitches)

Row 3: K1, *sk2psso, yo*; repeat from * to * to last 2 stitches. K2

Row 4: P3, * P1, P2tog *; to last 3 stitches, P3 (24 stitches)

Row 5: K1, K1, *yo, sk2psso*; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 6: P2tog across row (12 stitches)

Row 7: K1, *sk2psso, yo*; repeat from * to * to last 2 stitches. K2

Row 8: P2tog across row (6 stitches)

Cut working yarn, leaving long tail.

Draw end through the 6 stitches left on needle and cinch closed.

Seam the back, weave in all ends and enjoy!

For circular needles:

Chunky or 5-weight yarn

Size 13 needles

Abbreviations:

Yo – yarn over

Sk2psso – slip one stitch knitwise, knit next 2 stitches, pass slipped stitch over both knitted stitches

K2tog – knit 2 stitches together

Cast on 46 stitches

Join in the round

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Purl

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three (3) times for garter stitch band

Work Netting Stitch:

Row 1: K1, * yo, sk2psso *; repeat from * to *

Row 2: Knit all stitches

Row 3: * sk2psso, yo *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 4: Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 of netting stitch until piece measures about 8 inches

Decrease crown:

Row 1: K1, * yo, sk2psso *; repeat from * to *

Row 2: K1, * K1, K2tog *; repeat from * to * (31)

Row 3: * sk2psso, yo *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 4: * K1, K2tog* ; repeat from * to * (16)

Row 5: K1, * yo, sk2psso *; repeat from * to *

Row 6: K2tog across row (8)

Cut working yarn. Draw tail through 8 remaining stitches and cinch closed. Weave in ends and enjoy!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Week 8 - Goal Met & a Blanket Bonanza!

I can hardly believe that this is already Week 8 of 2012! Although it's already Saturday, I completed my second hat for the week! I still haven't finished the blanket I'm working on, but it's getting there. It's been a busy week with other commitments, but at least I'm getting some knitting done every day.

The most amazing thing this week was the 33 blankets that came in for Kozy Kovers for Kids! My library called and said they had a lot of donations, but I was not expecting all this!

This brings the grand total for blankets to 693 with more coming in every week. We'll be giving 40 or so to the local Emergency Department to have on hand for any little patients who come in suffering from abuse or neglect. I only wish you could see all the details of these beautiful blankets. Our Facebook page has more photos with more details!

Along with the enormous number of blankets, I received another 17 hats this week, bringing Delaware Head Huggers to a whopping 5,991 hats! A few boxes will be shipping out this week, bringing warmth to those who need it.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Happy Knitting!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Goal Met - Week 7! Fundraiser Begins!

Week 7 is not yet over, but I know I will be working on my blanket this weekend. I did manage to finish 2 hats this week though.........the gray one is the Cozy Cobblestone Cap found in my previous post and the multicolored one is just a toasty loom knit one. Amazingly, 70 more hats came in this week so far, bringing our total to a whopping 5,974! We'll soon be over 6,000! And they keep on coming in. As always I am in awe of the talent of all donors and the beautiful items they so lovingly donate to Delaware Head Huggers!

We began our first impromptu fundraiser this week too. Some craft items; mostly cross stitch, are posted on our Facebook page with prices starting at $1 and the highest being $5. These are unopened kits and other items. More to come too. If you'd like to do some shopping, where ALL proceeds go to Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids, stop by the Craft Item Fundraiser. All items were donated, so all money collected will be proceeds! We're PayPal friendly too! The money goes towards postage costs and the cost of printing the tags needed for the hats and blankets.

I've got lots of ideas for new hat patterns and hopefully I will have another one or two to add soon.

In the meantime, please join us if you can. We love to find new friends on Facebook, have new visitors to our website and have new crafters send in items. Both websites have easy donation buttons and directions for where to drop items off if you live in Delaware and where to send them if you live in other states.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids