Christmas Hat for a Jar! and more!

I'm always looking for something different to make for Christmas gifts for co-workers, friends and family.  I've got some larger knitting items on my list of things to make before Santa arrives, but I've been thinking about putting a cute hat on a gift in a jar.  Hot cocoa mix is a terrific, simple thing to whip up and fill some Ball jars with.  Sure, you can decorate it by using Christmas ribbon or fabric, but I wanted something with yarn!

Since hats on dpns are not exactly something I have mastered, I decided to pull out my Knifty Knitter and try something.  This is what I ended up with, after about 20 minutes.  I think it works........

 

So, I couldn't stop at Christmas - I had to keep going.  Now I have this:

I used 2 strands of  Bernat Happy Holidays acrylic yarn held together as one and the blue Knifty Knitter loom for the Christmas hat.  I used various yarn remnants from my stash for the other hats, but all were made using the blue Knifty Knitter round loom and 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together as one. I've got another set in progress with different colors, but the same basic idea.

Step 1:    Tie a slip knot and anchor yarn to the peg on the loom.

Step 2:    E-wrap every peg.

Step 3:    E-wrap every peg again, so that each peg has 2 loops on it.

Step 4:    Knit off each peg, lifting the bottom loop over the top loop, working around the loom.

Step 5:    Push the remaining loop down towards the bottom of the loom.

Step 6:    E-wrap every peg again.

Repeat Steps 4-6 until the hat is about 4 inches long. Do not e-wrap the loom again, leave just one loop on every peg.

Finishing:

Step 1:  Cut your working yarn leaving a 4-inch tail.

Step 2:  Cut another piece of yarn about 9 inches long and thread it onto a yarn needle. 

Step 3:  Working around the loom, run the yarn needle from the bottom of the loom, through the loops remaining and pull the loops off the loom onto the working yarn. Do this one peg at a time, taking care not to twist your working yarn. 

Step 4:  Turn the hat inside out and pull the two ends of the working yarn tight.  Tie to secure.

Step 5:  Turn right side out and add a tassel or a pom-pom if you'd like.

This could work for larger jars too - the hat is pretty stretchy.

Happy Knitting!   

Lacy Stole

I just realized how long it has been since I posted anything.  Been busy with www.delawareheadhuggers.org and www.kozykoversforkids.  We have collected and distributed more than 4,900 hats!  Last week I dropped about 100 off at the Helen Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Hospital and was so touched by the pianist playing inspirational music for everyone. I've decided that the person who donates hat number 5,000 will get a surprise gift too.

480 blankets and counting for Kozy Kovers and each week, more wonderful items come in.  Each and every hat and blanket gets a special tag stating that it is a gift. 

Tagging all those takes a while, but I LOVE getting to see all the beautiful creations that are coming in.  Check us out on Facebook or visit our websites to see what we're doing.

In between making hats.........  those are my latest 2, I've been working on a lacy shawl for a Christmas gift.  It's a Lion Brand free pattern and I am loving it.  I've got over 3 feet done so far and it's got about 3 more feet to go. 

I've also got a Christmas dishcloth going for those times when concentrating on the lace pattern is just too much......

I've got so many ideas for Christmas gifts and I know it's only August, but if I don't start now, they will never be finished!

Happy Knitting everyone!

Some more hats!

I've been busy and have not had enough time to knit!  But, I have managed to get a couple of hats finished and another bag to felt.  It's not felted yet, but it's finished......hopefully it will get into the washing machine today!

I have stopped into a Michael's and a Joann's lately and scored some great deals on wonderful yarn.  Now, if only I have enough time to use it all!

This toddler hat was made using Kashmir Baby yarn, which is so soft AND machine washable!  The pattern is a free one from Bernat, found here:  http://www.bernat.com/search.php?key=softee+baby+knit+baby+hat&searchResults=&PATTERNS=Search
You do have to be a member to get the pattern, but membership is free!

 



Finished this one too, using Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton.  First time I have used that yarn and it was very soft and wonderfully smooth and cool feeling. It's a free pattern from Lion Brand,  found here:  http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0451.html?noImages=0

Tons of hats and blankets have been pouring in.  I have much to tag today and many more to ship out! 

Last count for Delaware Head Huggers was 4,697 hats!  Visit the website at www.delawareheadhuggers.org or friend us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Head-Huggers/250229674280. 

Kozy Kovers has collected 461 blankets too!  That website is www.kozykoversforkids.org and they are on Facebook too  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kozy-Kovers-for-Kids/253991638070. 

Some good news!  Kozy Kovers for Kids won the Bernat Yarn Charity Drawing for June and they are sending us $100 worth of Bernat yarn.  Can't wait for the delivery!  One group of ladies has made a ton of blankets for Kozy Kovers, so the yarn is going to go straight to them!

Well, I've got to get going and get some yarn on my needles.

Happy Knitting!

Special Olympics Scarf

 

Special Olympics scarf finished and ready to go.  Check out http://www.redheart.com/blog/2012-special-olympics-usa-scarf-project  for more info and to learn how to donate to this great cause!

Knitting has been slow for me the past couple of weeks.  I'm back to my needles tonight though, I'm sure of it. 

I'm working on a hat for Delaware Head Huggers in the most cheerful yarn I have ever seen!  Right now, DE Head Huggers has collected 4,642 hats and Kozy Kovers for Kids has collected 452 blankets!  I am so overwhelmed by how many people are helping. It's amazing!

Off to get that hat finished!

Happy Knitting!

Another necklace and another felted bag!

I just absolutely had to knit this:

 

It's a free pattern from Knitty.com http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTknecklace.html that I just had to try.  I used Berroco Lumina yarn, which is much thinner than the yarn in the photo for the pattern, but I love the look of this.  Now if I only had something to wear that went with it...............

I also managed to complete another felted bag.  This one has the handles knit right into it, so finishing was minimal - always a plus for me!

Now I have started on a Special Olympics scarf.........you should make one too!  Check out this link to learn more about this great cause:  

http://www.redheart.com/blog/2012-special-olympics-usa-scarf-project

Needles are calling me!  Happy Knitting!

Finally finished - a felted bag!

I started this bag weeks ago.......planning on making it a tote bag and then got distracted with other projects and it just sort of sat on the needles waiting for attention. Then, I realized that the next project I was planning on starting also needed the size 13, 24 inch circulars and I used that as inspiration to just get the bag finished.

This is a simple bag that I will try in other colors.........perhaps as gifts.........

Felted Bag

Worsted weight - 100% wool – about 250 yards.  I used Patons Classic Wool in Rosewood

Size 13 circular knitting needles

Handles of your choice

Gauge isn’t important for this pattern. A little shorter or longer bag will not make a noticeable difference.

Cast on 120 stitches.

Place marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Knit every row until your piece measures about 16 inches long.

Bind off loosely.

Stitch the center 8 inches of the bottom seam together.

Stitch the sides of the bottom seam, perpendicular to the center seam, forming a T shape on either side. This will help the bag stay open.

I - - - - - - - - - - - - - I

To felt the bag, place it in a pillowcase and either zip the case closed or cinch it closed with a rubber band. Run it through your top loading washing machine using a hot wash, cold rinse cycle and a small amount of detergent. Throw a pair of jeans in with your pillowcase for increased agitation.

Check your bag once it is finished. If you want it felted more, just repeat the wash. If it’s felted enough, gently press it into shape and allow to completely dry.

Sew handles onto the bag. If you prefer, you can make an i-cord to use for handles or knit a garter stitch strap.  Any sort of handle will work.  You can also add a snap closure or a zipper if you like.

Now, I've got another felted bag started on those same size 13 needles and I just got a delivery of metallic yarn to make some necklaces with.  I'm looking forward to the weekend!!!

Happy Knitting!

A Knit Necklace!

Well, I have been very busy tagging hats and blankets - 4,507 hats so far and 448 blankets!  And I have noticed that work and life just get in the way of knitting sometimes. 

But, I have managed to get a couple more hats knit for Delaware Head Huggers in the past few weeks.....

And then I wanted to make some type of necklace for my niece's birthday gift...........a lot of patterns I found were too large and detailed........I wanted something kind of simple..............so I was playing around with ideas and came up with this:  I made a 4 stitch i-cord using Vanna's Glamour yarn that I had in my stash and made it about 17 inches or so........a little looser than choker length on me. I attached the owl button and crocheted a thin chain that I turned into a loop to finish the clasp. Hopefully she likes it. Now, I'm planning on trying other types of metallic yarn and I'm going to add some charms and different clasps to see what works best.

Well, I've got yarn calling my name from the other room.

Happy Knitting!

Finally - another hat finished!

I finally finished this hat, which is a Head Huggers pattern!  It was super easy, knit on straight needles, so I didn't even have to attempt to use dpns and has a cute texture that I think will look great in just about any yarn type.

The pattern can be found here:  http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt25.htm

I have got to get busy!  So much yarn, so little time to knit!  Looking forward to a three day weekend when hopefully I can get some things finished.  I am trying to make some videos for www.allfreeknitting.com too! 

I recently spent some time getting Delaware Head Huggers to have more of a presence on facebook and hits to the website are way up! 

Well, got to go cast on another hat!

Happy Knitting!

Donations of all kinds!

What a week!  Not only did I receive a wonderful box filled with brand new yarn just waiting to be made into hats but I also received a bunch of blankets and a couple of boxes of hats as well! 

I decided to give some blankets to the Delaware State Police Victims Services units - now troopers will be able to bring a blanket to any child involved in a domestic incident, or any incident. Hopefully, a blanket will give some comfort during a stressful time.  So about 70 blankets are packaged and ready to be delivered this weekend.

In the meantime, I've been keeping my fingers busy knitting also. I made a mesh dishcloth for my Mom, since regular dishcloths are too bulky for her liking.  It came out nicely and the colors yell "SPRING!"

I also managed to get a couple of hats knit - one on the loom, one on needles for Delaware Head Huggers.

I've started another kids hat using Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby yarn.  I've never knit with that before and I'm in love.  It is just a beautiful yarn - so soft, the colors are gorgeous AND it's machine washable! 

Little Lacy Hat

I love when I hear from someone who has received a hat from Delaware Head Huggers.  I especially love it if I can send them a particular hat in a color they request.

Well, I was attempting to make this lacy hat for a special patient who requested a white hat...................but, even though I followed every step and thought I was doing fine..........the hat is too small for an adult.  Still, I think it's a pretty hat, so it will definitely be included in tthe next shipment to a children's hospital.

This was a fun pattern to work with; lots of yarn overs and knitting 2 stitches together.  Just enough to have to concentrate and not enough to be frustrating!  It's a free pattern from Coats & Clark - found here:  http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/Accessories/LW1523+Lacy+Knit+Scarf+and+Hat.htm

Back to the needles to try a different hat, using more white yarn. Hope the next one comes out large enough for an adult!

Not Quite What I Had Planned...........

Well, I was just playing around with some chunky weight yarn and size 11 needles last night and I came up with this -

Not quite what I was going for, but I guess it works for a child's hat.  Just in case anyone is interested, here is how I think I got to this point..............

Using chunky yarn and size 11 needles, cast on 44 stitches.

Knit 4 rows.

Knit seed stitch for 12 rows - odd number rows, K1, P1 across and even number rows, P1, K1 across. (total 16 rows)

Knit 4 rows (total 20 rows)

Knit seed stitch for 6 more rows - odd number rows, K1, P1 across and even number rows, P1, K1 across. (total 26 rows)

Decrease for crown:

Row 27 - K2tog across

Row 28 - Purl across

Row 29 - K2tog across

Row 30 - Purl across

Row 31 - K2tog across

Row 32 - Purl across

Cut an 8 inch tail and thread that through the live stitches still left on your right hand needle. Cinch together for the top and sew the seam up the back.

You could knit fewer or more decrease rows to minimize or maximize the "stem" look that I managed..........

Back to the knitting needles for me! Who knows what the next one will look like!?

Hats Galore!

Well, I've been busy making hats and haven't even thought about updating this blog.  Found some great patterns online and made these hats and several others too..........

This is a super quick woven top hat that is made by loom knitting, using super bulky yarn.  In about an hour, you have a unique looking hat that can be made for children or adults -

I fell in love with the twisting and turning look of this hat and plan on making several more in various colors -

This hat was made on size 19 needles!  It's a simple seed stitch pattern that I found on Ravelry that makes an adorable hat -

This is another lacy pattern - the lace shows up better when it is actually on a person's head, but the chevron points together with the variegated yarn really work well together -

These two are for the children's hospitals - one is the same woven top, loom knit hat as seem above and the other is just a cutie with dangles added for fun -

Now I am working on a free wheeling hat that I am just attempting to make on my own - no pattern used.  We'll see how it comes out..................................

Time Flies!

I'm not sure when I expect to have time to blog about knitting or anything really.............  busy week, but at least it's Saturday.

I finished slipper socks last weekend and I am now working on a triangle shawl that is knitting up quickly!  Have to get a hat going also.......

Sometimes when I am knitting hats or shipping them to different sites, I wonder if we are really making a difference. I mean, can a hat really help someone?  Can it make a difference?  Well, I have heard back from several people who received hats through Delaware Head Huggers and I know that we are making a difference.  I was contacted this week by an Oncology Center - and I will be shipping a box to them this week. But perhaps the most touching thing that occurred this week was that I received this email from A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital here in Delaware:

Hi Robin,

I hope this note finds you well.  I want to thank you for the hats.  I received the box last week.  I want to share with you about a little girl, 3 years old, who died from a brain tumor on Tuesday.  I have been the social worker for the family since the day of diagnosis.  On Wednesday, the little girl's parents made funeral arrangements and shopped for a dress.  They found a beautiful, purple and off-white dress for their daughter for the funeral and to be buried in, however the mom was so upset because she didn't want her daughter's little bald head (from chemo) and many scars to show at the funeral.  I opened your box of hats from the Delaware Head Huggers and found a beautiful, off-white hat with purple, fluffy, fun trim.  The mom came to the hospital after the funeral home.  I showed her that hat and she said it was so perfect and her daughter would have loved it!!  So, not only do our kids on treatment love and appreciate your hats but they are very special after treatment as well.  Thank you so much for your kindness.  Your gift of hats to us is very, very meaningful in so many ways.

Many thoughts,
Lisa 

This touching note made me realize that what might seem to be a small gesture might really impact someone along the way.  It also put things into perspective for me in general. 

I've got hats and blankets ready to be shipped and delivered and I will continue to do this as long as I can.  I've had so much help getting these charities up and running and I am constantly amazed by how generous people are and how easily they give of their talents and time.

So, I'm heading back to my yarn to put something together.  Happy Knitting!

Hats!

Well, I have three boxes of hats ready to ship.  The hats keep coming in and there is such a need for them!  Never a shortage of places to send them.

I'm slacking this weekend!  Made a hat for my husband, who lost the one I made him last year and tried a new pattern for a scarf. Not sure if I like the way it looks though, so I'm letting that sit and I just keep looking at it trying to decide if I want to have an entire scarf in that pattern.............

Now I'm working on a hat for Delaware Head Huggers!  I've got a few that need finishing touches on them and one of these days I will get them completed and tagged as well.  For today though, I'll finish the man's hat that I am working on and then maybe do a child's hat too.  I have to see how much yarn I use.

Happy Knitting!

Cowl for me too!

Well, I finished a cowl for me too.  Great pattern that knitted up really quickly and is toasty warm.  Easy enough for even me to do! 

Now I'm trying to figure out what my next project will be..........I can't decide between a dropped stitch scarf or a mistaken rib vest or a triangle shawl.  Something simple, but pretty.  Got to decide so I can go pick up some yarn and get started.

I've got a three day weekend and I'd really like to get a lot of knitting done.  Grocery shopping first tomorrow, but then, while football is on, I can get knitting. Time to make another hat for Delaware Head Huggers too.  I try to make sure I make one for them in between other projects for me.

Happy Knitting!

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!

Hi there!

Hi!  I am a relatively new knitter and I'm really excited about all I'm learning along the way.  I love to snuggle with my miniature Schnauzer Schnapps while I'm knitting and he is always impressed with what I create......  :)  He loves to wear a scarf - he's got a regular one, a Christmas one and a Valentine's one and I just made him a cowl that he loves! 

When I first started, about a year ago, I contacted Head Huggers to inquire about donating some hats. I found out that there was not a splinter group in my state, so I started one.  We collect new, handmade hats for patients who are undergoing chemo, have had brain surgery or are recovering from burns. I'm happy to say that Delaware Head Huggers www.delawareheadhuggers.org collected and distributed 3,520 hats in 2010.  We've already got 191 for 2011 too!

I also started Kozy Kovers for Kids, www.kozykoversforkids.org around the same time.  We collect handmade blankets to give to children entering the foster care system in Delaware. We collected 365 blankets in 2010!  

I am really excited about being able to give back through knitting. I also am trying to make things for myself in the limited amount of time I have in between work, tagging hats and blankets and taking care of my family. I'm hoping that by starting this blog, I will actually inspire myself to get more knitting accomplished!

If anyone has some nice hat or blanket patterns that you are able to share, please send them to me to share on Delaware Head Huggers or Kozy Kovers for Kids.