Knitting with Schnapps

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Introducing Frosted Hope!

Schnapps and I apologize for being behind schedule! We've been very busy and can't really believe that it's already mid-February. We have a shawl that we are working on for a local auction and then we will be back to hat patterns, we promise. Schnapps has lots of ideas for new hats, but I keep putting him to work doing other things.

This hat/scarf set was knit for the Kent County Public Library's Quarter Auction!

This is a hat he made a few weeks ago that slipped through the cracks. This was knit using super bulky yarn, but the pattern includes details for all yarn weights.


Schnapps loves to hear from all of you!

Frosted Hope

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

Abbreviations:
s1wyib: slip one stitch, holding yarn at back of work, as if to knit

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

Work Pattern:
Row 1 : *k3, s1wyib**; repeat around
Row 2: *p3, s1wyib*; repeat around
Row3: k1, *s1wyib, k3*; repeat to last 2 stitches; end k2
Row 4: p1 *s1wyib, p3*; repeat to last 2 stitches; end p2

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

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k1, k2tog, s1wyib*; repeat around
Row 2: *p2tog, s1wyib*; 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 give it to someone who could use some warmth and some hope!

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Introducing Violaceous!

Well, Schnapps designed this one a couple of weeks ago, but finally I have the pattern ready to go up. I try to stay away from names that use the color of the model, but we just couldn't come up with one that seemed right. Feel free to make it in any color you choose!

Schnapps and I have been tagging all the hats that come in and turning right around and shipping them out to those who need them. This year we have an increased demand for hats, so please, take some time and make at least one hat for someone battling cancer. Drop them off locally or send them to me and Schnapps, but make a difference for someone. Especially if you have used any of my patterns before..........pay it forward and warm someone up! Schnapps would appreciate it!

The Play Book Patterns!

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

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1: *k2, p2*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 & 2: *k1, p1, k1, p1*; repeat around
Rows 3 & 4: *p1, k3*; repeat around
Rows 5 & 6: *k1, p1, k1, p1*; repeat around
Rows 7 & 8: *k2, p1, k1*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece is about 7.5 inches in length, ending with a Row 2.

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *p1, k2tog, k1*; repeat around
Row 2: *p1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *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 pass it along to someone who could use a smile and a hug!

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 64 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 76 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 7 needles and cast on 64 stitches. Adjust in increments of 4 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 108 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Introducing Verdant Hope!

It has been chilly and snowy in Delaware this week and I am finally getting around to posting Schnapps latest hat........well, he has another new one finished already too, but I'm a bit behind.

So many people are in need of chemo caps, especially in this cold weather. Please, if you use any of my patterns for any reason, take the time to make a hat (or several!) and donate them to your local cancer treatment center. If you don't know where to send them, you can always send them to me and Schnapps and we will get them to those who need them most. Let's all make a difference this year!

Schnapps is doing his part to help others by designing and sharing patterns!

The patterns in the photo below are the patterns found in The Play Book, an e-book of patterns that are not published elsewhere. The e-book can be purchased by using the link to the right on this page or by going to my Ravelry store or my Craftsy store. Those links are also to the right of this page and are where all my patterns can be found. 100% of the cost of all my patterns is put right back into supplies and shipping for DEHH and KKforK.

The Play Book Patterns!

Verdant Hope

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

Abbreviations:
yo: yarn over
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1: *k3, p3*; repeat around
Repeat Row 1 until piece is about 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

Work Pattern:
Row 1: *k3, yo, p3*; repeat around
Row 2: *k4, p3*; repeat around
Row 3: *k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p3*; repeat around
Row 4: *k2, k2tog, p3*; repeat around
Row 5: *k1, yo, k2tog, p3*; repeat around
Row 6: *k3, p3*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 6 until piece is about 7.5 inches in length.

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k1, k2tog, p1, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k2tog, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *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 pass it along to someone who could use some hope and a hug!

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 66 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 78 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 7 needles and cast on 66 stitches. Adjust in increments of 6 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 108 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Introducing Staggered Hope!

Schnapps and I hope that your 2014 is off to a good start. We've been busy getting things back to normal after the holidays. I love this time of year when things slow down a bit and life seems to get back on track after the rush of the holiday season. Schnapps and I both love cold weather and we've been able to get lots of good walks in and lots of knitting time too.


Naps every once in a while are great too!

This is Staggering Hope. Thank you Susan for helping with the name!! It is a simple pattern and I think the texture works for men and women. I recently spoke to a woman who received a couple of hats and she told me that the men are as excited about getting hats as the women - especially in this cold weather - and that they look through the hats for ones that are manly enough. Certainly, this hat can be worn by a woman also, but I wanted something for the men too.

We kicked off another year of the Finn Hat Project. Please help us collect more than 600 hats in 2014 for this remarkable program.

Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here.

There are instructions for knitting in the round, knitting flat, loom knitting and 2 crochet patterns! EVERYONE can help! Spread the word about this special project and help a young child who is facing cancer treatment.

The Play Book Patterns!

Staggered Hope

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

Abbreviations:
ktbl: knit one stitch through the back loop
k2tbl: knit two stitches through the back loop
p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 through 4: *p2, ktbl*; repeat around
Rows 5 through 8: *k2tbl, p1*; repeat around
Rows 9 through 12: *ktbl, p2*; repeat around,

Repeat Rows 1 - 12 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 inches in length. End with a Row 8.

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *ktbl, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k2tog*; repeat around

If using lighter weight yarn, you might want to repeat Row 3 of the crown decrease for more rows.

Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure. Weave in ends and give it to someone special.

The pattern is worked over 3 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 3 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Friday, January 3, 2014

Introducing Swells of Hope!

We spent New Year's Day at my parents home and Schnapps whipped up this hat while we were visiting. It's a super simple 4 row repeat that creates a cute textured wave or swell.

Today is a snow day for us in Delaware, so we thought we'd get it up for everyone to share.

We are always collecting hats for Kidshealth.org which is part of the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington Delaware. They have produced a video that helps pre-school age children understand what to expect from their cancer treatment. This is an ongoing project! In 2013 we collected 598 Finn Hats and I hope that we can beat that total in 2014! Please consider making a few ~ this is truly a wonderful cause!

Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here.

The Play Book Patterns!


Schnapps sends tail wags to everyone!

Swells of Hope

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

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one
s1: slip one stitch

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 & 2: knit all stitches
Row 3: holding yarn in back as if to knit throughout, *s1, k1*; repeat around
Row 4: holding yarn in front as if to purl throughout, *s1, p1*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 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

Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure. Weave in ends and give it to someone special who needs a hug and some hope.

If using lighter weight yarn you might want to repeat Row 3 of the crown decrease a few more times before ending.

The pattern is worked over 2 stitches, but use a multiple of 4 so the crown decrease stays the same.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 6 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Introducing Rugged Hope!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Schnapps and I wish you all nothing but happiness, good health and love in 2014. This is our last pattern of the year and we hope you like it. We were trying to come up with some different caps that men would like to wear and we think this will work for both men and women.

2013 was an incredible year for Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids. With the help of so many of you we are now at a tally of 12,962 hats and 1,246 blankets - in just 4 years! This year alone brought us 3,628 chemo caps, 598 Finn Hats and 327 blankets. Schnapps and I hope that 2014 is even better! We are making a difference, no matter how small, to many.

Please remember that the Finn Hat project is an ongoing project that continually needs caps of all sizes. This partnership with Kidshealth.org is an important one. The hat pattern is free and comes in both knit and crochet versions. Yarn suggestions, mandatory colors and the patterns can be found here. Spread the word about this special project and help a young child who is facing cancer treatment.

Thank you to all of you who have donated postage funds too. Your help is very much appreciated! Postage is high and seems to be going up every year, but hats are needed across the country and we will continue to send them!

In 2014, I hope you all find time to focus on making a difference to others. This doesn't take any money at all - help a neighbor, give a hug where one is needed, listen to a friend who needs to talk. If you can, make a hat or two or a hundred and donate them locally or send them to me and I will get them to people who need them. Make a blanket and give it to a local foster care agency or a local Emergency Room. Try to spend at least a few minutes every day doing something for those not in your immediate circle. If we all do that, the world will start to become a better place. More love is needed everywhere - right next door and across the world......do your part and Schnapps and I will do ours too.

Remember to tell people about us and let them know that we will send hats to any person or center in the United States. Just email me and we will get hats out right away.

The Play Book Patterns!

Rugged Hope

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

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Rows 1 & 3: *k4, p2*; repeat around
Rows 2 & 4: *p2, k4*; repeat around
Rows 5, 6, 7 & 8: k2, *p2, k4*; repeat around, end k2
Rows 9 & 11: *p2, k4*; repeat around
Rows 10 & 12: *k4, p2*; repeat around

Repeat Rows 1 - 12 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 inches in length.
Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *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 give it to someone special who needs a good sturdy hug and some extra warmth.

The pattern is worked over 6 stitches, but use a multiple of 4 so the crown decrease stays the same.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 11 needles and cast on 60 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 72 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 60 stitches. Adjust in increments of 6 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 102 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Introducing Chubby Checks!

This hat was designed and knit on Christmas Eve, once all the wrapping and cooking and baking was done. It's now time for Schnapps and I to get back to making hats again and he whipped this one up in no time at all. Thank you Robin for the name!

This will probably be the last hat pattern of 2013. Although, if he comes up with anything else in the next few days, I'm sure he'll share the pattern.

The patterns in the photo below are the patterns found in The Play Book, an e-book of patterns that are not published elsewhere. The e-book can be purchased by using the link to the right on this page or by going to my Ravelry store or my Craftsy store. Those links are also to the right of this page. 100% of the cost of all my patterns is put right back into supplies and shipping for DEHH.

The Play Book Patterns!

Chubby Checks

You will need super-bulky, 6-weight yarn and size US 13 circular needles and dpns or some other combination of needles and yarn listed below.

Abbreviations:
p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as one
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one

Cast on 48 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Pattern:
Rows 1, 2, 5 & 6: *p2, k2*; repeat around
Rows 3 & 4: knit all stitches
Rows 7 & 8: purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 - 8 until piece is about 7.5 to 8 inches in length, ending with a row 5.

Decrease Crown: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *p2tog, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *p1, p2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *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 give it to someone special who needs some extra love.

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches.

To knit this using 5-weight yarn, use size 10.5 needles and cast on 64 stitches.

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 76 stitches.

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches. Adjust in increments of 4 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 108 stitches.

Delaware Head Huggers

Kozy Kovers for Kids