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 Geometric Inlay!

 It's almost May already!  2021 is flying by.  The world is still a mess and there are so many things that are different than ever before.  However, the need for chemo caps continues and so I have come up with a few new patterns lately.  The colors for this one said Spring to me, but imagine all the possible color combinations!

This hat was designed with Knit Picks Brava bulky yarn, but instructions are included for all yarn weights so you can use your stash and make beautiful hats.  All stitches are knit stitches and this is a fun pattern that works up quickly.

Geometric Inlay

You will need 5 weight yarn in 3 colors and size 10 needles or another combination listed below:

Abbreviations:

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 72 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 your work measures 2.5 to  3 inches in length.   If using lighter weight yarn you might want to make the brim 4 - 5 inches so that your band is centered nicely.

Work Band of Hat  Using Colors A, B & C:

all stitches are knit stitches.  Numbers and letter refer to color.  A is white.  B is yellow.  C is teal

Row 1:   *3A, 1B, 2A*; repeat around

Row 2:   *2A, 3B, 1A*; repeat around

Row 3:   *1A, 5B*; repeat around

Row 4:   *1C, 5B*; repeat around

Row 5:   *2C, 3B, 1C*; repeat around

Row 6:   *3C, 1B, 2C*; repeat around

Row 7:   *1B, 5C*; repeat around

Row 8:   *2B, 3C, 1B*; repeat around

Row 9:   *3B, 1C, 2B*; repeat around

Row 10:   *3B, 1A, 2B*; repeat around

Row 11:   *2B, 3A, 1B*; repeat around

Row 12:   *1B, 5A*; repeat around

Work Crown:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until your work measures about 7.5 - 8 inches in length.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k4, k2tog* repeat around

Row 2:   *k3, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2, k2tog* repeat around

Row 4:   *k1, 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 

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 102 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches.  

Experiment and enjoy!

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 Placid Eddy

 It's Spring.  The world is still a mess.  People need kindness more than ever.  Let's all do our part!

This latest pattern was worked using 5-weight, KnitPicks Brava Bulky yarn.  I liked the contrast between the 2 colors, but you could knit this using just one color. Color combinations are endless, so use your imagination and create beautiful hats to help others!  Instructions are included for all yarn weights, so you can use whatever yarn you have available in your stash!

This is an 8 row pattern with 6 of those rows being all knit stitches, so it works up quickly.  There are cables in this, but they are very simple, so this would be a great first project if you've never attempted cables before.  

This little guy is Thaddeus - my resident wild bunny who has decided that he quite likes us and stops by for a nose rub and a banana chip or fig bar most days.  He is one of the things that makes me smile every day.  Our Facebook page posts nature photos and asks what made you smile today everyday.  Join us and spread happiness too!  We've all got to take extra care to look around us and find the good things.  

Placid Eddy

You will need 5-weight yarn in two colors and size 10 needles or another combination of supplies listed below.

Abbreviations:

C4B: 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to back.  Knit next 2 stitches from LH needle, then knit 2 from cable needle

C4F: 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to front.  Knit next 2 stitches from LH needle, then knit 2 from cable needle

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 72 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 your work measures 1.5 to  2 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

Work Body of Hat Using Color B:

Rows 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 & 8:   knit all stitches

Row 3:   *C4B, k4, C4F*; repeat around

Row 7:   *k2, C4F, C4B, k2*; repeat around 

Repeat Rows 1 and 8 until piece is about 6 to 6.5 inches in length.

Work Crown:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until your work measures 7 to 7.5 inches

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

Row 1:   *k10, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k9, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k8, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 4:   *k7, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 5:   *k6, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 6:   *k5, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 7:   *k4, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 8:   *k3, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 9:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 10:   *k1, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 11:   *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 84.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 108 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 12 stitches.  

Feel free to use just 1 color.  

Experiment and enjoy!

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 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 Blended Hues!

 It's 2021!  I hope you all had a wonderful, safe holiday season.  I wish for a 2021 that is happy, healthy safe and peaceful for each of you.  May we all knit more and spread kindness!

The Covid-19 pandemic is still surging across the globe.  Sadly that has caused Delaware Head Huggers to suspend operations again, since most facilities are not accepting hats.  However, that certainly doesn't stop us all from knitting!

This hat was designed for my friend Wendy who is battling leukemia.  I modified a blanket pattern that I have used that highlights two colors of yarn in a simply knit pattern.  You use just one color yarn for each row, so it makes a nice color work hat without too much difficulty.

I knit this using KnitPicks Brava Bulky yarn, but you could certainly use any yarn weight you have on hand.  Color combinations are almost endless and this pattern is a great stash buster too!

Enjoy the pattern.  Spread kindness and love.  Reach out to local cancer centers to see if they need hats.  

Blended Hues

Abbreviations:

s1:  slip next stitch, knit wise, with yarn in front

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.

Still using Color A:

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Begin Pattern:

Row 1:  Color B:  *p1, s1*;  repeat around

Row 2:  Color B:  knit all

Row 3:  Color A:  *p1, s1*;  repeat around

Row 4:  Color A:  knit all

Repeat Rows 1 -4  until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.

Crown:  Using Color A

Row 1:    knit all stitches

Repeat Row 1 until piece is 7.5 to 8 inches in length

Decrease Crown:  Using Color A

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 80.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 100 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches.  Crown decrease is written for multiples of 8

Experiment and enjoy!