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We are dedicated to providing every in-need chemotherapy patient with a crafted hat donated by a caring volunteer. http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog.feed 2012-05-18T16:27:51Z Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management 2012-05-17T21:32:56Z 2012-05-17T21:32:56Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/995-is-your-yarn-calling-to-be-something-else?-the-hat-scratch-factor.html

<p>One of the leading questions we are asked by almost anyone who wants to donate hats is "what yarn should I use?"  Seemingly, this should be an easy question to answer, but it's not.  There are yarns that I absolutely love, but may not be available in certain areas of the country or internationally.  There are yarns I would enjoy using, and can't get, unless I order them, visit a yarn shop during my travels or they're available at a fiber show.  There are so many, many yarns out there that make nice hats!  We also have to consider that this is charity knitting. Cost is usually a factor.  Someone knitting and crocheting for charity may want to use something from their stash, leftovers from another project, or something they can pick up easily from their local retailer.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/yarn.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />So our response usually goes like this:  <span style="color: #339966;"><strong>SOFT</strong></span>, preferably washable, and if it has any wool content, please tag the cap, so we can ensure that if someone has or develops wool sensitivity, they don't select that one.   The typical question back is, 'but isn't wool scratchy?' We call this the old-school-wool-myth. Not all wool scratches.  There are many nice washable merinos and sock yarns available, and these can make nice hats. The key with wool is patient sensitivity, which may be heightened thanks to the chemo drugs.<br /><br />But I have to take a moment's pause to talk about the scratch factor.  We seem to always blame the wool, but there are many other yarns that can be scratchy, and they may not soften when washed.  Some of these fall into the acrylic yarn categories, and when these are made into hats, they will sit in a cancer center or hospital, because they are not soft to the patient's touch.  A bald head is stressed and tender.  Patients are not going to select a hat that seems rough and coarse.  And, they really aren't thinking about washing hats to get them soft while they're in an infusion center.  This is why we always lead with the word, '<span style="color: #339966;"><strong>soft</strong></span>,' when describing what yarns to use.<br /><br />We thought it might be helpful to share our scratch factor test with you, because as you're knitting or crocheting the hat, you might be able to test for coarseness as you construct the hat.  <br /><br />We all swatch, right?  Right…I don't either.  Not hats, anyway.  But no matter.  Create your swatch or begin your hat. Once you have a couple of inches completed, stop.  Don't trust your hands to test the coarseness of the fiber.  Your hands will lie to you every time.  Take your swatch or work, lift your head, and rub the work ever so slightly under your chin.  Does it feel rough or coarse?  Scratchy? Uncomfortable?  If yes, that yarn's calling is for something else, and not for a cancer cap.  If it feels smooth, gentle, soft, go back to knitting or crocheting, and finish the cap.  I've done this test with skeins of yarn, thinking I could cheat the system, because the skein felt soft.  Nope.  Sometimes it's a combination  of the pattern construction and the yarn that creates a coarse feel.  Sometimes the yarn will work for a knitted pattern, but be very uncomfortable when crocheted, or vice versa.  Typically, the spot just under your chin is one of the more sensitive areas of your body.  Those of you who struggle with wearing turtlenecks know exactly what I mean. Or maybe you have a thick, coarse winter scarf, which is fine when wrapped over your coat, but when it hits bare skin, you tug at it to pull it away.<br /><br />I had a beautiful washable wool that I was going to make into a hat for someone I knew going through cancer this past winter.  It was aran weight yarn, on the bulkier side, and leftover from a sweater project.  Trust me, the sweater is soft.  I love it.  But the hat I started from this same yarn?  Not so.  Couple of inches in, and it didn't pass the scratch factor test.  Frogged it and chose a much softer wool/acrylic blend yarn instead.  <br /><br />You can try washing a coarse hat when finished to see if it softens, then try the scratch factor test again.  We've linked some websites offering suggestions for softening acrylic yarn.  I have not tried any of these options.  Maybe some of you have, or tried other things that work, and can share them - we'd love to know.  If my hat-in-progress doesn't pass the scratch factor test, that yarn is telling me it wants to be something else, not a hat.</p> <p>For the record, our volunteer team tries to sort out hats that don't pass the scratch factor test, and we still find charitable homes for them.  We work with shelters, other charities, veterans' hospitals - places where the hat can be donated and will likely cover a head with hair.</p> <p>Next time you're making a hat, give the scratch factor test a try.</p> <p>Maybe your yarn doesn't want to be a hat.  Doesn't make it any less of a yarn, just means its destiny lies along a different fiber highway.</p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Editor's note:  The following links are provided for information only.  Halos of Hope has not validated if these methods for softening yarn will work.  We appreciate your feedback if you know of a method that softens yarns.  Be sure to try the scratch factor test again, though, after you've softened any yarn.  Pattern construction may still cause coarseness.</span></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_6680881_soften-acrylic-yarn.html" target="_blank">EHow.com - How to Soften Acrylic Yarn</a> <br /><a href="http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=91619" target="_blank">Crochetville.org - Reader thread on softening yarn </a><br /><a href="http://agirlandherneedle.blogspot.com/2012/03/soften-scratchy-yarn.html" target="_blank">A Girl and Her Needle:  Soften Scratchy Yarn </a></p>

<p>One of the leading questions we are asked by almost anyone who wants to donate hats is "what yarn should I use?"  Seemingly, this should be an easy question to answer, but it's not.  There are yarns that I absolutely love, but may not be available in certain areas of the country or internationally.  There are yarns I would enjoy using, and can't get, unless I order them, visit a yarn shop during my travels or they're available at a fiber show.  There are so many, many yarns out there that make nice hats!  We also have to consider that this is charity knitting. Cost is usually a factor.  Someone knitting and crocheting for charity may want to use something from their stash, leftovers from another project, or something they can pick up easily from their local retailer.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/yarn.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />So our response usually goes like this:  <span style="color: #339966;"><strong>SOFT</strong></span>, preferably washable, and if it has any wool content, please tag the cap, so we can ensure that if someone has or develops wool sensitivity, they don't select that one.   The typical question back is, 'but isn't wool scratchy?' We call this the old-school-wool-myth. Not all wool scratches.  There are many nice washable merinos and sock yarns available, and these can make nice hats. The key with wool is patient sensitivity, which may be heightened thanks to the chemo drugs.<br /><br />But I have to take a moment's pause to talk about the scratch factor.  We seem to always blame the wool, but there are many other yarns that can be scratchy, and they may not soften when washed.  Some of these fall into the acrylic yarn categories, and when these are made into hats, they will sit in a cancer center or hospital, because they are not soft to the patient's touch.  A bald head is stressed and tender.  Patients are not going to select a hat that seems rough and coarse.  And, they really aren't thinking about washing hats to get them soft while they're in an infusion center.  This is why we always lead with the word, '<span style="color: #339966;"><strong>soft</strong></span>,' when describing what yarns to use.<br /><br />We thought it might be helpful to share our scratch factor test with you, because as you're knitting or crocheting the hat, you might be able to test for coarseness as you construct the hat.  <br /><br />We all swatch, right?  Right…I don't either.  Not hats, anyway.  But no matter.  Create your swatch or begin your hat. Once you have a couple of inches completed, stop.  Don't trust your hands to test the coarseness of the fiber.  Your hands will lie to you every time.  Take your swatch or work, lift your head, and rub the work ever so slightly under your chin.  Does it feel rough or coarse?  Scratchy? Uncomfortable?  If yes, that yarn's calling is for something else, and not for a cancer cap.  If it feels smooth, gentle, soft, go back to knitting or crocheting, and finish the cap.  I've done this test with skeins of yarn, thinking I could cheat the system, because the skein felt soft.  Nope.  Sometimes it's a combination  of the pattern construction and the yarn that creates a coarse feel.  Sometimes the yarn will work for a knitted pattern, but be very uncomfortable when crocheted, or vice versa.  Typically, the spot just under your chin is one of the more sensitive areas of your body.  Those of you who struggle with wearing turtlenecks know exactly what I mean. Or maybe you have a thick, coarse winter scarf, which is fine when wrapped over your coat, but when it hits bare skin, you tug at it to pull it away.<br /><br />I had a beautiful washable wool that I was going to make into a hat for someone I knew going through cancer this past winter.  It was aran weight yarn, on the bulkier side, and leftover from a sweater project.  Trust me, the sweater is soft.  I love it.  But the hat I started from this same yarn?  Not so.  Couple of inches in, and it didn't pass the scratch factor test.  Frogged it and chose a much softer wool/acrylic blend yarn instead.  <br /><br />You can try washing a coarse hat when finished to see if it softens, then try the scratch factor test again.  We've linked some websites offering suggestions for softening acrylic yarn.  I have not tried any of these options.  Maybe some of you have, or tried other things that work, and can share them - we'd love to know.  If my hat-in-progress doesn't pass the scratch factor test, that yarn is telling me it wants to be something else, not a hat.</p> <p>For the record, our volunteer team tries to sort out hats that don't pass the scratch factor test, and we still find charitable homes for them.  We work with shelters, other charities, veterans' hospitals - places where the hat can be donated and will likely cover a head with hair.</p> <p>Next time you're making a hat, give the scratch factor test a try.</p> <p>Maybe your yarn doesn't want to be a hat.  Doesn't make it any less of a yarn, just means its destiny lies along a different fiber highway.</p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Editor's note:  The following links are provided for information only.  Halos of Hope has not validated if these methods for softening yarn will work.  We appreciate your feedback if you know of a method that softens yarns.  Be sure to try the scratch factor test again, though, after you've softened any yarn.  Pattern construction may still cause coarseness.</span></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_6680881_soften-acrylic-yarn.html" target="_blank">EHow.com - How to Soften Acrylic Yarn</a> <br /><a href="http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=91619" target="_blank">Crochetville.org - Reader thread on softening yarn </a><br /><a href="http://agirlandherneedle.blogspot.com/2012/03/soften-scratchy-yarn.html" target="_blank">A Girl and Her Needle:  Soften Scratchy Yarn </a></p> 2012-05-03T15:09:08Z 2012-05-03T15:09:08Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/992-children-cancer-crochet-and-creativity.html

<p>One of the things I enjoy most is the creativity we get to see in the hats that are donated at the various shows we do around the country.  We try to feature those hats when and where we can, even if it's just for the duration of the show.</p> <p>Recently, at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches South in Atlanta</a>, one of the crocheters from a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/dream-weavers-of-bartow-county" target="_blank">group in Cartersville, Georgia</a>, brought a bag of hats creatively crafted by their knitters and crocheters.  As she was sharing the hats donated, she pulled out an adorable child's crocheted hat with a special post-cancer treatment purpose that I don't think any of us would have realized had she not pointed it out.</p> <p>

<p>One of the things I enjoy most is the creativity we get to see in the hats that are donated at the various shows we do around the country.  We try to feature those hats when and where we can, even if it's just for the duration of the show.</p> <p>Recently, at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches South in Atlanta</a>, one of the crocheters from a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/dream-weavers-of-bartow-county" target="_blank">group in Cartersville, Georgia</a>, brought a bag of hats creatively crafted by their knitters and crocheters.  As she was sharing the hats donated, she pulled out an adorable child's crocheted hat with a special post-cancer treatment purpose that I don't think any of us would have realized had she not pointed it out.</p> <p> 2012-04-25T13:36:06Z 2012-04-25T13:36:06Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/991-elephants-remember.html

<p>Is it true that elephants never forget?  Well, this past weekend, I met a young lady at Stitches South that I certainly will remember, and hope to meet  with again in the future. <img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040979.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /> Shortly after last year's tornado hit Joplin, CeeCee Creech said "Mom I have to do something."  CeeCee began knitting elephants, giving them to children who had lost their homes.  Her elephant-thon, from June 1 to 17, 2011, raised over $3,100 for the American Red Cross in Joplin.  She doesn't sell her elephants, she asks that a <a href="http://homesofhopejoplin.org/main/">donation</a> be made to help Joplin families most in need.  Her cause is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elephantsremember" target="_blank">Elephants Remember Joplin.</a><br /><br />At the time, CeeCee was 8 years old.  Yes, 8.  She's been knitting since she was 4.  Last year, CeeCee journeyed from her home in Campbellsville, KY to deliver her elephants in person to Joplin's children.  This month, she and Mom, BeLinda, were at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/South/" target="_blank">Stitches South</a> in Atlanta.  In August, CeeCee will co-host the <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/expos/63/0/class_detail/6065/" target="_blank">Parade of Elephants event </a>with Drew Emborsky (<a href="http://www.drewemborsky.com/" target="_blank">the Crochet Dude</a>) at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/Midwest" target="_blank">Stitches Midwest</a> in Schaumburg, IL.  Trust me, her journeys won't end there.  This is a young lady destined to do amazing things.<br />

<p>Is it true that elephants never forget?  Well, this past weekend, I met a young lady at Stitches South that I certainly will remember, and hope to meet  with again in the future. <img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040979.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /> Shortly after last year's tornado hit Joplin, CeeCee Creech said "Mom I have to do something."  CeeCee began knitting elephants, giving them to children who had lost their homes.  Her elephant-thon, from June 1 to 17, 2011, raised over $3,100 for the American Red Cross in Joplin.  She doesn't sell her elephants, she asks that a <a href="http://homesofhopejoplin.org/main/">donation</a> be made to help Joplin families most in need.  Her cause is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elephantsremember" target="_blank">Elephants Remember Joplin.</a><br /><br />At the time, CeeCee was 8 years old.  Yes, 8.  She's been knitting since she was 4.  Last year, CeeCee journeyed from her home in Campbellsville, KY to deliver her elephants in person to Joplin's children.  This month, she and Mom, BeLinda, were at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/South/" target="_blank">Stitches South</a> in Atlanta.  In August, CeeCee will co-host the <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/expos/63/0/class_detail/6065/" target="_blank">Parade of Elephants event </a>with Drew Emborsky (<a href="http://www.drewemborsky.com/" target="_blank">the Crochet Dude</a>) at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/Midwest" target="_blank">Stitches Midwest</a> in Schaumburg, IL.  Trust me, her journeys won't end there.  This is a young lady destined to do amazing things.<br /> 2012-04-09T02:21:11Z 2012-04-09T02:21:11Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/989-hello-martha?.html

<p>In early March, Brandon Bethea from <a href="http://www.finforward.com" target="_blank">Fin Forward</a> (one of our Halos of Hope partners), let me know about a contest.  Sponsored by Lion Brand Yarns, the <a href="http://marthastewart.lionbrand.com/contest.html" target="_blank">challenge</a> was issued to make something from the yarns in the new Martha Stewart Crafts line.  Alpaca and wool blends, merinos, cottons, and some interesting novelties.<br /><br />Interesting, thought I.  What if we could get some of our Halos of Hope volunteers to make hats from these yarns, and submit them to the contest?  What if one of our volunteers won the Grand Prize - 100 skeins of yarn and Martha's Knit and Weave Loom kit?  What if we had a few runners-up?  What would Halos of Hope gain?  Well, first of all, some pretty jubilant volunteers.  But we could also gain recognition for their hard work and our cause.  We published the contest on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page and in our <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/halos-of-hope" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> group, and merely asked that with the submissions made, the volunteer would say "I made this hat to benefit Halos of Hope."  The deadline to submit photos to the contest is Thursday, April 12.  If the project is selected as one of the 15 finalists, the actual item is sent in to be further judged.  Winners will be selected in early June.<br /><br />Since I'm a bit fanatical about finding new fibers to make hats, I decided to make a couple of hats to toss into the contest ring.  <br />

<p>In early March, Brandon Bethea from <a href="http://www.finforward.com" target="_blank">Fin Forward</a> (one of our Halos of Hope partners), let me know about a contest.  Sponsored by Lion Brand Yarns, the <a href="http://marthastewart.lionbrand.com/contest.html" target="_blank">challenge</a> was issued to make something from the yarns in the new Martha Stewart Crafts line.  Alpaca and wool blends, merinos, cottons, and some interesting novelties.<br /><br />Interesting, thought I.  What if we could get some of our Halos of Hope volunteers to make hats from these yarns, and submit them to the contest?  What if one of our volunteers won the Grand Prize - 100 skeins of yarn and Martha's Knit and Weave Loom kit?  What if we had a few runners-up?  What would Halos of Hope gain?  Well, first of all, some pretty jubilant volunteers.  But we could also gain recognition for their hard work and our cause.  We published the contest on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page and in our <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/halos-of-hope" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> group, and merely asked that with the submissions made, the volunteer would say "I made this hat to benefit Halos of Hope."  The deadline to submit photos to the contest is Thursday, April 12.  If the project is selected as one of the 15 finalists, the actual item is sent in to be further judged.  Winners will be selected in early June.<br /><br />Since I'm a bit fanatical about finding new fibers to make hats, I decided to make a couple of hats to toss into the contest ring.  <br /> 2012-04-05T22:09:41Z 2012-04-05T22:09:41Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/988-montoya-fiber-hat-day.html

<p>I met Cathy Montoya of Montoya Fiber Studio in 2009.  Several Northern suburban shops outside of Chicagoland sponsored a Knit-Out and Crochet event.  Halos of Hope had just started our outreach to local yarn shops to become cap donation locations, making it easier for local volunteers to donate their hats to the charity.  Cathy was the one of first to help us.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.montoyafiberstudio.com/home" target="_blank">Montoya Fiber Studio</a> is a delightful shop on the north side of Evanston, IL.  It is tucked among a variety of independently owned stores and restaurants.  Boutiques, unique jewelry, bakers, custom stationers, and the most amazing spice shop you'll ever find.  Coffee houses, bistros, and excellent lunch &amp; dinner fare.  <br /><br />Cathy and her patrons have done a variety of events over the years to make hats for the charity and our various campaigns.  She offers different hat patterns to choose from, a great variety of yarn options, and she's always there to help.<br />

<p>I met Cathy Montoya of Montoya Fiber Studio in 2009.  Several Northern suburban shops outside of Chicagoland sponsored a Knit-Out and Crochet event.  Halos of Hope had just started our outreach to local yarn shops to become cap donation locations, making it easier for local volunteers to donate their hats to the charity.  Cathy was the one of first to help us.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.montoyafiberstudio.com/home" target="_blank">Montoya Fiber Studio</a> is a delightful shop on the north side of Evanston, IL.  It is tucked among a variety of independently owned stores and restaurants.  Boutiques, unique jewelry, bakers, custom stationers, and the most amazing spice shop you'll ever find.  Coffee houses, bistros, and excellent lunch &amp; dinner fare.  <br /><br />Cathy and her patrons have done a variety of events over the years to make hats for the charity and our various campaigns.  She offers different hat patterns to choose from, a great variety of yarn options, and she's always there to help.<br /> 2012-03-29T03:47:03Z 2012-03-29T03:47:03Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/987-pattern-perspective-bow-tie-cloche.html

<p><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/photo-6_medium.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />I remember the very first time I saw this hat live-and-in-person.  I have admired <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bow-tie-cloche--chemo-hat-beanie-2" target="_blank">this pattern </a>for a very long time.  But there was no yarn in my stash calling its name.  And then…someone…donated…one…at…a…Stitches…event.  It was varying shades of pink.  And it was small.  Child size.  <br /> <br /> The children's hats are always the hardest, because <em>no little ones</em> should have to deal with cancer.  Well, none of us should have to deal with cancer, but certainly not the littlest ones.  As we put this hat into the Stitches donation bag, we all thought "how lucky will be the little girl who gets this hat."  <br /> <br /> I missed meeting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/bellsisterdebbie-designs-shop" target="_blank">Bellsisters </a>at Stitches West, 2011, but Debbie and Susan were kind enough to send the charity several of their hats for us to display as samples. Their designs support our mantra that just because you've lost your hair, doesn't mean you've lost your sense of style.  But I'm always asked, are these patterns difficult to make?  My reply is that no, they are not, because I know enough about knitting to look at a pattern and say, yes, it's complicated, or, no, it's not.  But to look at it, and make it to confirm its complexity are two entirely different things.<br />

<p><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/photo-6_medium.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />I remember the very first time I saw this hat live-and-in-person.  I have admired <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bow-tie-cloche--chemo-hat-beanie-2" target="_blank">this pattern </a>for a very long time.  But there was no yarn in my stash calling its name.  And then…someone…donated…one…at…a…Stitches…event.  It was varying shades of pink.  And it was small.  Child size.  <br /> <br /> The children's hats are always the hardest, because <em>no little ones</em> should have to deal with cancer.  Well, none of us should have to deal with cancer, but certainly not the littlest ones.  As we put this hat into the Stitches donation bag, we all thought "how lucky will be the little girl who gets this hat."  <br /> <br /> I missed meeting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/bellsisterdebbie-designs-shop" target="_blank">Bellsisters </a>at Stitches West, 2011, but Debbie and Susan were kind enough to send the charity several of their hats for us to display as samples. Their designs support our mantra that just because you've lost your hair, doesn't mean you've lost your sense of style.  But I'm always asked, are these patterns difficult to make?  My reply is that no, they are not, because I know enough about knitting to look at a pattern and say, yes, it's complicated, or, no, it's not.  But to look at it, and make it to confirm its complexity are two entirely different things.<br /> 2012-03-17T02:15:18Z 2012-03-17T02:15:18Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/986-pattern-perspective-ratatouille.html

<p>As I shared with ma knit/crochet amies that I was making a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ratatouille" target="_blank">Ratatouille hat</a>, the picture that popped into their heads had something to do with a <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/ratatouille/main.html" target="_blank">mouse chef from the French countryside. </a> Ah, Disney and Pixar, how you influence our culture.  And, while 'tis true that I am fond of making les chapeaus for les enfants, this was not a mouse hat.<br /><br />So let's be clear, ratatouille is really a vegetable dish, tomato-base, and usually consisting of onions, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers, fried and stewed in oil.  Ratatouille is sometimes served cold.  I cannot speak to why Marly named this pattern after the stew, other than to quote Marly's inspiration, "A friend of mine told me that her dad once told her that if women knew how saucy men think hats are they'd wear them more often."  <br /><br />Marly rallied attendees of the recent Stitches West PJ party to make this hat, and <a href="http://www.marlybird.com/stitches-west/" target="_blank">show off their joie de fibre vivre en masse</a>.  Those who made the hat for the party, but might not have a use for it post-Stitches, could donate theirs to Halos of Hope.  The ones donated were tres chic!<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040872.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br />

<p>As I shared with ma knit/crochet amies that I was making a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ratatouille" target="_blank">Ratatouille hat</a>, the picture that popped into their heads had something to do with a <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/ratatouille/main.html" target="_blank">mouse chef from the French countryside. </a> Ah, Disney and Pixar, how you influence our culture.  And, while 'tis true that I am fond of making les chapeaus for les enfants, this was not a mouse hat.<br /><br />So let's be clear, ratatouille is really a vegetable dish, tomato-base, and usually consisting of onions, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers, fried and stewed in oil.  Ratatouille is sometimes served cold.  I cannot speak to why Marly named this pattern after the stew, other than to quote Marly's inspiration, "A friend of mine told me that her dad once told her that if women knew how saucy men think hats are they'd wear them more often."  <br /><br />Marly rallied attendees of the recent Stitches West PJ party to make this hat, and <a href="http://www.marlybird.com/stitches-west/" target="_blank">show off their joie de fibre vivre en masse</a>.  Those who made the hat for the party, but might not have a use for it post-Stitches, could donate theirs to Halos of Hope.  The ones donated were tres chic!<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040872.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /> 2012-03-13T03:28:26Z 2012-03-13T03:28:26Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/985-pattern-perspective-ali\'s-hat.html

<p>There are moments.  Moments in your life when you say 'wow.'  Moments you may look back on later and think 'that was so amazing.'  Meeting Ali McGraw a year ago and getting the kit for her Marion Foale designed cap was one of those moments.  My 'original' pattern is autographed and carefully put away and preserved.  Its photocopied counterpart - the one I use to make her hats - shows signs of wear.  And, when she came over to the Halos of Hope booth at <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/948-circa-1970-a-love-story.html" target="_blank">Stitches West 2011</a>, and said 'tell me more about what you do'.  That…yes that…was a major wow and an amazing moment.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/ali at sw.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />I feel a bit sheepish admitting that as much as that moment meant to me, I've only made two of her hats in the past year.  I love this pattern. Done in a light fingering weight yarn and on US size 1.5 (2.5mm) needles, it takes time.  And maybe that's why I haven't done dozens.  Little needles, charted pattern.  But it's so gorgeous!  And I have skeins of yarn that I can use to make it several times over.  Skeins purchased a year ago, when I met her.  Maybe it's because I test knit many different hats.

<p>There are moments.  Moments in your life when you say 'wow.'  Moments you may look back on later and think 'that was so amazing.'  Meeting Ali McGraw a year ago and getting the kit for her Marion Foale designed cap was one of those moments.  My 'original' pattern is autographed and carefully put away and preserved.  Its photocopied counterpart - the one I use to make her hats - shows signs of wear.  And, when she came over to the Halos of Hope booth at <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/948-circa-1970-a-love-story.html" target="_blank">Stitches West 2011</a>, and said 'tell me more about what you do'.  That…yes that…was a major wow and an amazing moment.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/ali at sw.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />I feel a bit sheepish admitting that as much as that moment meant to me, I've only made two of her hats in the past year.  I love this pattern. Done in a light fingering weight yarn and on US size 1.5 (2.5mm) needles, it takes time.  And maybe that's why I haven't done dozens.  Little needles, charted pattern.  But it's so gorgeous!  And I have skeins of yarn that I can use to make it several times over.  Skeins purchased a year ago, when I met her.  Maybe it's because I test knit many different hats. 2012-03-10T23:27:42Z 2012-03-10T23:27:42Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/984-pattern-perspective-quick-lacy-slouch.html

<p><em>'Just because you've lost your hair, doesn't mean you've lost your sense of style.' </em></p> <p>Those who have visited with us have likely heard someone representing Halos of Hope say those words. A bald head may be a tad smaller.  Depending on where you live, you might want more (or less) coverage in your hat.  You may wear your baldness proudly. Or not.  But the person that is you doesn't change.  Were you a cloche gal before?  Still are.  Likes beanies with buttons or bows?  Still do.  A child who adores whimsy? A guy that thinks the slouchy toques are cool?  All still true when you don't have hair.  <br /><br />If you were at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches West</a> a few weeks ago, and received a skein of <a href="http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-PacificChunky.asp" target="_blank">Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky</a> as a prize or banquet gift, check inside the packaging.  You may also have received the Quick Lacy Slouch hat pattern designed by Shannon Dunbabin.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/quick lacy 1.jpg" border="0" alt="Quick Lacy Slouch" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />Shannon introduced me to her pattern prior to <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East</a>, and when we met up in Hartford, she had a skein of the new Pacific Chunky to try.  Since I'm always packing my kit of hat needles, I whipped out the size 10s and cast on.  Regular Stitches attendees know that if you go to the Fashion Show and Dinner, you can knit.  Stay up late for the PJ Party?  Knit.  Student banquet?  More time to knit.   By the end of the show, this hat was finished.  Yes, the pattern is that "Quick".  As far as lacy goes, it can allow for a bit of air-conditioning, but not so much that someone would feel self-conscious.  The bulkier weight yarn provides that extra bit of closure.  And while I was certainly excited about making it, one of our Illinois volunteers knit it in the multi-colorway. <a href="http://12months24hats.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-2012-3-merlot.html" target="_blank">And blogged about it too!</a>

<p><em>'Just because you've lost your hair, doesn't mean you've lost your sense of style.' </em></p> <p>Those who have visited with us have likely heard someone representing Halos of Hope say those words. A bald head may be a tad smaller.  Depending on where you live, you might want more (or less) coverage in your hat.  You may wear your baldness proudly. Or not.  But the person that is you doesn't change.  Were you a cloche gal before?  Still are.  Likes beanies with buttons or bows?  Still do.  A child who adores whimsy? A guy that thinks the slouchy toques are cool?  All still true when you don't have hair.  <br /><br />If you were at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches West</a> a few weeks ago, and received a skein of <a href="http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-PacificChunky.asp" target="_blank">Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky</a> as a prize or banquet gift, check inside the packaging.  You may also have received the Quick Lacy Slouch hat pattern designed by Shannon Dunbabin.<img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/quick lacy 1.jpg" border="0" alt="Quick Lacy Slouch" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />Shannon introduced me to her pattern prior to <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East</a>, and when we met up in Hartford, she had a skein of the new Pacific Chunky to try.  Since I'm always packing my kit of hat needles, I whipped out the size 10s and cast on.  Regular Stitches attendees know that if you go to the Fashion Show and Dinner, you can knit.  Stay up late for the PJ Party?  Knit.  Student banquet?  More time to knit.   By the end of the show, this hat was finished.  Yes, the pattern is that "Quick".  As far as lacy goes, it can allow for a bit of air-conditioning, but not so much that someone would feel self-conscious.  The bulkier weight yarn provides that extra bit of closure.  And while I was certainly excited about making it, one of our Illinois volunteers knit it in the multi-colorway. <a href="http://12months24hats.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-2012-3-merlot.html" target="_blank">And blogged about it too!</a> 2012-03-07T02:05:51Z 2012-03-07T02:05:51Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/983-angels-watching-over.html

<p><em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/awo photo small.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />"May you be surrounded by angels as you fight cancer, and know some one is praying for you."</em> Heatherly Walker, Yarn Yenta Designs<br /><br />Imagine a beautiful day in October and the Stitches East Market floor is a-buzz, with attendees and shoppers, spinning the <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Wheel of Fiber with Kollage</a>.  Ooh'ing and ahh'ing over the new <a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/boutique-magical" target="_blank">Red Heart Boutique</a> yarns.  Learning how easy it is to chart their own designs using <a href="http://intwinedstudio.com/" target="_blank">Intwined Pattern Studio</a> software.  And looking at sample hats and patterns for cancer patients at the Halos of Hope booth.  Among all this fiber fervor, two inspired and inspiring women chat about the possibility of design. <br />

<p><em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/awo photo small.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />"May you be surrounded by angels as you fight cancer, and know some one is praying for you."</em> Heatherly Walker, Yarn Yenta Designs<br /><br />Imagine a beautiful day in October and the Stitches East Market floor is a-buzz, with attendees and shoppers, spinning the <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Wheel of Fiber with Kollage</a>.  Ooh'ing and ahh'ing over the new <a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/boutique-magical" target="_blank">Red Heart Boutique</a> yarns.  Learning how easy it is to chart their own designs using <a href="http://intwinedstudio.com/" target="_blank">Intwined Pattern Studio</a> software.  And looking at sample hats and patterns for cancer patients at the Halos of Hope booth.  Among all this fiber fervor, two inspired and inspiring women chat about the possibility of design. <br /> 2012-02-11T01:32:41Z 2012-02-11T01:32:41Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/980-sunday-crochet-with-a-side-of-super-bowl-football-meet-eli.html

<p>Football season is over.  The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots and are the Champions.  The broadcast was seen by an estimated 111.3 million viewers.  Most tuned in after Madonna's halftime show and Clint Eastwood's way-to-go Detroit commercial.  Tom Brady had a chance to win in the final seconds of the game.  New York prevailed.  Was it just me, or did anyone else hear Three Dog Night crescendo in the background?  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euzbz76SMTU&amp;feature=related" target="_blank">"Eli's a-coming, and he's coming to git ya!" </a> We Packer fans feel your pain, Pats; our team dropped the ball, too.<br /><br />Some of you may be familiar with our Halos of Hope annual shark hat campaign.  Started in 2010, we raise money through donations for hand-crafted shark hats.  Each hat funds the shipping of 250 chemo caps to over 450 cancer centers nationally.  Why sharks?  Because cancer and shark-diving are both a journey of courage.  Our campaign director, Nikki Sevy, <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/170-from-simple-beginnings.html" target="_blank">told the story</a> best a couple of years ago.  In 2011, we introduced a Halos of Hope original crocheted shark chapeau, thanks to designer, Monica Miles.  Monica shared her <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/954-lucy-and-grandma-perseverance-pays-off.html" target="_blank">journey of courage to create her crocheted shark hat</a> in August, 2011.<br /><br />I am a fairly speedy crocheter.  My final Sunday with a Side of Football challenge: Could I get a football-themed shark hat completely crocheted and assembled during the 3-plus hours of the Super Bowl?  The body could take until half-time; the caudal fin a quarter, maybe less.  Pick up for the gums, 8 sharp pearly white teeth, DC up that dorsal fin, and pump up those pectorals.  <br />

<p>Football season is over.  The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots and are the Champions.  The broadcast was seen by an estimated 111.3 million viewers.  Most tuned in after Madonna's halftime show and Clint Eastwood's way-to-go Detroit commercial.  Tom Brady had a chance to win in the final seconds of the game.  New York prevailed.  Was it just me, or did anyone else hear Three Dog Night crescendo in the background?  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euzbz76SMTU&amp;feature=related" target="_blank">"Eli's a-coming, and he's coming to git ya!" </a> We Packer fans feel your pain, Pats; our team dropped the ball, too.<br /><br />Some of you may be familiar with our Halos of Hope annual shark hat campaign.  Started in 2010, we raise money through donations for hand-crafted shark hats.  Each hat funds the shipping of 250 chemo caps to over 450 cancer centers nationally.  Why sharks?  Because cancer and shark-diving are both a journey of courage.  Our campaign director, Nikki Sevy, <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/170-from-simple-beginnings.html" target="_blank">told the story</a> best a couple of years ago.  In 2011, we introduced a Halos of Hope original crocheted shark chapeau, thanks to designer, Monica Miles.  Monica shared her <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/954-lucy-and-grandma-perseverance-pays-off.html" target="_blank">journey of courage to create her crocheted shark hat</a> in August, 2011.<br /><br />I am a fairly speedy crocheter.  My final Sunday with a Side of Football challenge: Could I get a football-themed shark hat completely crocheted and assembled during the 3-plus hours of the Super Bowl?  The body could take until half-time; the caudal fin a quarter, maybe less.  Pick up for the gums, 8 sharp pearly white teeth, DC up that dorsal fin, and pump up those pectorals.  <br /> 2012-01-20T15:39:01Z 2012-01-20T15:39:01Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/978-soothe-for-spring-idea-vonne\'s-crochet-design.html

<p>Throughout our <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/976-soothe-for-spring-campaign-and-yarn-options.html" target="_blank">Soothe for Spring Campaign</a>, we'll share hat ideas from our staff and our volunteers. We're excited to share this lovely crocheted design from designer, Yvonne Tate, of Vonne's Crochet.  Yvonne is a member of the <a href="http://www.nyccrochetguild.org/" target="_blank">New York City Crochet Guild</a>, winners of last summer's Chapter Challenge during the Knit and Crochet Show, sponsored by the <a href="http://www.crochet.org/" target="_blank">Crochet Guild of America (CGOA</a>) and <a href="http://www.tkga.com/" target="_blank">The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA</a>).  Her "Chemo Cap Challenge 2011" hat was introduced to help her fellow crocheters meet the challenge.  Here's a few words from the designer:</p> <p><em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040629_1.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />I’m Yvonne (of <a href="http://voncrobead.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Vonne’s Crochet &amp; Beading</a>)<br />

<p>Throughout our <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/976-soothe-for-spring-campaign-and-yarn-options.html" target="_blank">Soothe for Spring Campaign</a>, we'll share hat ideas from our staff and our volunteers. We're excited to share this lovely crocheted design from designer, Yvonne Tate, of Vonne's Crochet.  Yvonne is a member of the <a href="http://www.nyccrochetguild.org/" target="_blank">New York City Crochet Guild</a>, winners of last summer's Chapter Challenge during the Knit and Crochet Show, sponsored by the <a href="http://www.crochet.org/" target="_blank">Crochet Guild of America (CGOA</a>) and <a href="http://www.tkga.com/" target="_blank">The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA</a>).  Her "Chemo Cap Challenge 2011" hat was introduced to help her fellow crocheters meet the challenge.  Here's a few words from the designer:</p> <p><em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/p1040629_1.jpg" border="0" style="float: left;" />I’m Yvonne (of <a href="http://voncrobead.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Vonne’s Crochet &amp; Beading</a>)<br /> 2012-01-16T14:41:49Z 2012-01-16T14:41:49Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/977-sunday-knitting-with-a-side-of-football-playoffs.html

<p><strong>Quarters Cap</strong></p> <p>Four quarters in a football game.  60 clock minutes, but the game can last for hours.  When your team is winning, it seems to go by in a flash.  When your team is losing, it feels like agony.  As I was looking for a knit or crochet pattern to be the final one in our Sunday with a Side of Football series, I found the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quarters-cap" target="_blank">Quarters Cap</a> by <a href="http://www.kristinnicholas.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Nicholas </a>Designs.  This hat can be done in a variety of sizes, can have a striped effect, or in solid color…you guessed it…<strong>quarters</strong>!  What could be more perfect for football knitting?</p> <p>The hat is worked garter stitch and flat.  In other words, not in the round.  Much like a football game, you kick off (cast on) and knit all the way to the end zone.  After your second row, you begin a series of plays (short rows), with each sequential short row creating the shaping of the crown.  Once you're at the 50 yard line (or worked half of the stitches in your row shaping the crown), you start a new quarter.  Upon completion of four quarters, your game (cap) is finished!  

<p><strong>Quarters Cap</strong></p> <p>Four quarters in a football game.  60 clock minutes, but the game can last for hours.  When your team is winning, it seems to go by in a flash.  When your team is losing, it feels like agony.  As I was looking for a knit or crochet pattern to be the final one in our Sunday with a Side of Football series, I found the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quarters-cap" target="_blank">Quarters Cap</a> by <a href="http://www.kristinnicholas.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Nicholas </a>Designs.  This hat can be done in a variety of sizes, can have a striped effect, or in solid color…you guessed it…<strong>quarters</strong>!  What could be more perfect for football knitting?</p> <p>The hat is worked garter stitch and flat.  In other words, not in the round.  Much like a football game, you kick off (cast on) and knit all the way to the end zone.  After your second row, you begin a series of plays (short rows), with each sequential short row creating the shaping of the crown.  Once you're at the 50 yard line (or worked half of the stitches in your row shaping the crown), you start a new quarter.  Upon completion of four quarters, your game (cap) is finished!   2012-01-13T00:38:23Z 2012-01-13T00:38:23Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/976-soothe-for-spring-campaign-and-yarn-options.html

<p>As announced in our <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=vgqn8gdab&amp;v=0016-lMRck6nqFk_3KPdRbhzxRA0bDZZBHqVh7Mc2EmXG78rf-lLYvRfbRpJkf8AOKj-h7Y-9JrcI8combXwixi0XeOGhuNgKZS6agf8x5KIOs%3D" target="_blank">January newsletter</a> and <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/news/item/973-halos-of-hope-announces-soothe-for-spring-campaign.html" target="_blank">Latest News</a>, during the <span style="color: #33cccc;"><strong>Soothe for Spring Campaign</strong>,</span> Halos of Hope is asking our volunteers to make <span style="text-decoration: underline;">adult hats, for women and men</span>, in lighter weight yarns, so that we will be prepared send hats to a new cancer center opening this summer, and several cancer centers located in warmer weather states, requesting 30-50 hats every month.  Soothe for Spring will run January 1 through April 30, with a goal to have a minimum of 3,000 hats ready in early May.  Hats can be sent to Halos of Hope, or dropped off at one of our <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/support-us/41-become-volunteer.html" target="_blank">donation locations</a>, at any time throughout the campaign.<br /><br />During Soothe for Spring, we will continue to accept hats made from other fibers, and will accept hats for children and teens. These hats will go to the centers that need them in the remaining winter months, and kids always need help.  As those projects are finished, find the cottons, cotton-blends, bamboos, dk weights, fingering, sock weight, and baby yarns. Then knit or crochet a breath of spring, the warmth of summer, and light, cool, comfort into your caps.<br /><br />The following Soothe for Spring yarn options are provided for guidance only.  Check with your LYS or yarn retailer for similar yarns that are readily available in your area.  Also, be sure to check your stash for leftover DK, sport, fingering and sock weight yarns that are soft and washable.  <br /><br /><em>Note:  Bamboo and Bamboo blend yarns do stretch with wearing, so please make hats on the smaller size. </em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/yarn basket1.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />Aunt Lydia's Bamboo 3 - 100% Bamboo from viscose<br />Aunt Lydia's Bamboo 10 - 100% Bamboo<br />Berroco Comfort - 50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic<br />Bernat Bamboo - 86% bamboo, 12% acrylic, 2% polyester<br />Bernat Cotton Tots - 100% Cotton<br />Bernat Satin - 100% Acrylic<br />Bernat Satin Sport -100% Acrylic<br />Cascade Cotton Rich DK - 65% Cotton, 35% Nylon<br />Cascade Fixation - 98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic<br />Cascade Pima Silk - 85% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 15% Silk<br />Cascade Pima Tencel - 50% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 50% Tencel<br />Cascade Ultra Pima - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Cascade Ultra Pima Fine - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Caron Simply Soft - 100% Acrylic<br />Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton - 100% Cotton<br />Knit Picks Comfy - 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic<br />Knit Picks CotLin DK Yarn - 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen<br />Knit Picks Crayon Boucle Yarn - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport Yarn - 100% Organic Cotton<br />Kollage Corntastic - DK 100% corn<br />Kollage Milky Whey - DK milk/soy<br />Kollage Creamy - Fingering milk/cotton<br />Kollage Riveting Sport - recycled blue jeans<br />Kollage Riveting Worsted - recycled blue jeans<br />Kollage Hope - USA cotton (only comes in natural color)<br />Kollage Sock-a-licious - Fingering silk/merino/nylon<br />Lily Sugar 'n Cream - 100% Cotton<br />Lion Brand Cotton - 100% Cotton<br />Lion Brand Cotton-Ease - 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic<br />Lion Brand Microspun - 100% Acrylic Microfiber<br />Naturally Caron Spa - 75% acrylic &amp; 25% bamboo<br />Peaches &amp; Creme - 100% Cotton<br />Red Heart Sport - 100% Acrylic<br />Red Heart Designer Sport - 100% Acrylic<br />Red Heart Lustersheen - 100% Acrylic<br />TLC Baby - 100% acrylic (please do not use sparkle version)</p>

<p>As announced in our <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=vgqn8gdab&amp;v=0016-lMRck6nqFk_3KPdRbhzxRA0bDZZBHqVh7Mc2EmXG78rf-lLYvRfbRpJkf8AOKj-h7Y-9JrcI8combXwixi0XeOGhuNgKZS6agf8x5KIOs%3D" target="_blank">January newsletter</a> and <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/news/item/973-halos-of-hope-announces-soothe-for-spring-campaign.html" target="_blank">Latest News</a>, during the <span style="color: #33cccc;"><strong>Soothe for Spring Campaign</strong>,</span> Halos of Hope is asking our volunteers to make <span style="text-decoration: underline;">adult hats, for women and men</span>, in lighter weight yarns, so that we will be prepared send hats to a new cancer center opening this summer, and several cancer centers located in warmer weather states, requesting 30-50 hats every month.  Soothe for Spring will run January 1 through April 30, with a goal to have a minimum of 3,000 hats ready in early May.  Hats can be sent to Halos of Hope, or dropped off at one of our <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/support-us/41-become-volunteer.html" target="_blank">donation locations</a>, at any time throughout the campaign.<br /><br />During Soothe for Spring, we will continue to accept hats made from other fibers, and will accept hats for children and teens. These hats will go to the centers that need them in the remaining winter months, and kids always need help.  As those projects are finished, find the cottons, cotton-blends, bamboos, dk weights, fingering, sock weight, and baby yarns. Then knit or crochet a breath of spring, the warmth of summer, and light, cool, comfort into your caps.<br /><br />The following Soothe for Spring yarn options are provided for guidance only.  Check with your LYS or yarn retailer for similar yarns that are readily available in your area.  Also, be sure to check your stash for leftover DK, sport, fingering and sock weight yarns that are soft and washable.  <br /><br /><em>Note:  Bamboo and Bamboo blend yarns do stretch with wearing, so please make hats on the smaller size. </em><img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/yarn basket1.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /><br />Aunt Lydia's Bamboo 3 - 100% Bamboo from viscose<br />Aunt Lydia's Bamboo 10 - 100% Bamboo<br />Berroco Comfort - 50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic<br />Bernat Bamboo - 86% bamboo, 12% acrylic, 2% polyester<br />Bernat Cotton Tots - 100% Cotton<br />Bernat Satin - 100% Acrylic<br />Bernat Satin Sport -100% Acrylic<br />Cascade Cotton Rich DK - 65% Cotton, 35% Nylon<br />Cascade Fixation - 98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic<br />Cascade Pima Silk - 85% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 15% Silk<br />Cascade Pima Tencel - 50% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 50% Tencel<br />Cascade Ultra Pima - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Cascade Ultra Pima Fine - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Caron Simply Soft - 100% Acrylic<br />Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton - 100% Cotton<br />Knit Picks Comfy - 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic<br />Knit Picks CotLin DK Yarn - 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen<br />Knit Picks Crayon Boucle Yarn - 100% Pima Cotton<br />Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport Yarn - 100% Organic Cotton<br />Kollage Corntastic - DK 100% corn<br />Kollage Milky Whey - DK milk/soy<br />Kollage Creamy - Fingering milk/cotton<br />Kollage Riveting Sport - recycled blue jeans<br />Kollage Riveting Worsted - recycled blue jeans<br />Kollage Hope - USA cotton (only comes in natural color)<br />Kollage Sock-a-licious - Fingering silk/merino/nylon<br />Lily Sugar 'n Cream - 100% Cotton<br />Lion Brand Cotton - 100% Cotton<br />Lion Brand Cotton-Ease - 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic<br />Lion Brand Microspun - 100% Acrylic Microfiber<br />Naturally Caron Spa - 75% acrylic &amp; 25% bamboo<br />Peaches &amp; Creme - 100% Cotton<br />Red Heart Sport - 100% Acrylic<br />Red Heart Designer Sport - 100% Acrylic<br />Red Heart Lustersheen - 100% Acrylic<br />TLC Baby - 100% acrylic (please do not use sparkle version)</p> 2011-12-30T16:29:51Z 2011-12-30T16:29:51Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/971-sunday-knitting-with-a-side-of-football-weeks-6-and-7.html

<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Weekend Hats - the Brier Toque</strong></span><br /><br />I confess.  I have to cheat a little on this week's installment.  Week 6 was Christmas weekend and week 7 is New Year's weekend.  While it doesn't stop the knitting, the festivities do put a crimp in available time.  When your family is hosting the holiday buffet, cooking trumps caps - no matter how hard one protests.  <br /><br />I also confess that I have only recently learned to knit socks well.  With so many beautiful colorways in sock weight yarn, I knew I was missing out.  My first sock experience wasn't the best, and it just seemed odd.  This was knitting in the round, albeit smaller yarn and smaller needles. What was so elusive?  Oh yes, turning heels and kitchener stitch.  But I have mastered both this past year. Setting socks aside, certainly there should be a way to make a beautiful hat out of sock yarn, shouldn't there?<br /><br />Along comes the Interweave Books publication, <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Weekend-Hats.html" target="_blank">Weekend Hats</a>.  Third confession. I bought this book because I really (I mean, <em>really</em>) want to make the <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruche-beret-weekend-knits.html" target="_blank">Ruche Beret by Susan Anderson</a>.  But that will be a 2012 discussion.  While drooling over the book, I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brier-toque" target="_blank">Brier Toque</a> designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. Ribbing and stockinette.  And sock yarn.  And a hat that could be good for men.  Be still my charitable hat heart.  <br />

<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Weekend Hats - the Brier Toque</strong></span><br /><br />I confess.  I have to cheat a little on this week's installment.  Week 6 was Christmas weekend and week 7 is New Year's weekend.  While it doesn't stop the knitting, the festivities do put a crimp in available time.  When your family is hosting the holiday buffet, cooking trumps caps - no matter how hard one protests.  <br /><br />I also confess that I have only recently learned to knit socks well.  With so many beautiful colorways in sock weight yarn, I knew I was missing out.  My first sock experience wasn't the best, and it just seemed odd.  This was knitting in the round, albeit smaller yarn and smaller needles. What was so elusive?  Oh yes, turning heels and kitchener stitch.  But I have mastered both this past year. Setting socks aside, certainly there should be a way to make a beautiful hat out of sock yarn, shouldn't there?<br /><br />Along comes the Interweave Books publication, <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Weekend-Hats.html" target="_blank">Weekend Hats</a>.  Third confession. I bought this book because I really (I mean, <em>really</em>) want to make the <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruche-beret-weekend-knits.html" target="_blank">Ruche Beret by Susan Anderson</a>.  But that will be a 2012 discussion.  While drooling over the book, I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brier-toque" target="_blank">Brier Toque</a> designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. Ribbing and stockinette.  And sock yarn.  And a hat that could be good for men.  Be still my charitable hat heart.  <br /> 2011-12-21T16:45:41Z 2011-12-21T16:45:41Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/970-sunday-crocheting-with-a-side-of-football-week-5.html

<p><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Something Special for the Holidays</span></strong><br /><br />In week 3, when I shared my <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/966-sunday-crocheting-with-a-side-of-football-week-3.html" target="_blank">Go-To Crochet Pattern</a>, I mentioned a hat that I discovered at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East</a>, and said I would try to get it done for week 4.  Ah, my hooks were wrapped with the best of fiber intentions.  A few disclaimers.  I wasn't sure the pattern could be completed in a Sunday afternoon of football.  But the family and I were beginning our vacation, which gave me a little extra hook time on the plane ride.  I also knew that for at least part of week 4's Sunday afternoon, I wouldn't be crocheting at all.  You see, we had tickets to see an NFL game live!  Yes, this was going to be one week where it was Sunday Football with a side of everything else.  But that was also okay, because we'd be back in our room before the Sunday night game and the Monday night game was a snoozer.  <br /><br />To my surprise, I opened my project bag on Sunday night after the live NFL game, and found I had all of the embellishing yarn, but had forgotten the main hat yarn. A desperate search through my luggage didn't help.  Now what to do?  <em>Aw, shucks…I need to buy yarn?  Twist my arm a little harder, please.</em></p>

<p><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Something Special for the Holidays</span></strong><br /><br />In week 3, when I shared my <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/966-sunday-crocheting-with-a-side-of-football-week-3.html" target="_blank">Go-To Crochet Pattern</a>, I mentioned a hat that I discovered at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East</a>, and said I would try to get it done for week 4.  Ah, my hooks were wrapped with the best of fiber intentions.  A few disclaimers.  I wasn't sure the pattern could be completed in a Sunday afternoon of football.  But the family and I were beginning our vacation, which gave me a little extra hook time on the plane ride.  I also knew that for at least part of week 4's Sunday afternoon, I wouldn't be crocheting at all.  You see, we had tickets to see an NFL game live!  Yes, this was going to be one week where it was Sunday Football with a side of everything else.  But that was also okay, because we'd be back in our room before the Sunday night game and the Monday night game was a snoozer.  <br /><br />To my surprise, I opened my project bag on Sunday night after the live NFL game, and found I had all of the embellishing yarn, but had forgotten the main hat yarn. A desperate search through my luggage didn't help.  Now what to do?  <em>Aw, shucks…I need to buy yarn?  Twist my arm a little harder, please.</em></p> 2011-12-14T03:48:24Z 2011-12-14T03:48:24Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/967-sunday-with-a-side-of-football-week-4-delay-of-game.html

<p>If you follow Halos of Hope on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/halos-of-hope" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> you may have seen our post regarding the <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9pR59n/fiberstory.tv/interview-with-pamela-hashcke-halos-of-hope/" target="_blank">FiberStory.TV interview with Johnny Vasquez</a>, also founder of <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/" target="_blank">New Stitch a Day</a>.  If you have a few minutes, please take a listen.<br /><br />As such, yours truly has been penalized for delay of game, because having focused on getting the interview done prior to taking some vacation time with family, I totally forgot to pack the yarn for the hat I had planned.  Fortunately, there are yarn stores here in the Valley of the Sun, and I should be able to post something this coming week!  And then to catch up, will try to give everyone a couple of ideas to get started with post-holiday hat stitching (if you are so inclined).<br /><br />Until next week, take a<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9pR59n/fiberstory.tv/interview-with-pamela-hashcke-halos-of-hope/" target="_blank"> listen to Johnny's interview</a>, and thank you!<br /><br /></p>

<p>If you follow Halos of Hope on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/halosofhope" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/halos-of-hope" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> you may have seen our post regarding the <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9pR59n/fiberstory.tv/interview-with-pamela-hashcke-halos-of-hope/" target="_blank">FiberStory.TV interview with Johnny Vasquez</a>, also founder of <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/" target="_blank">New Stitch a Day</a>.  If you have a few minutes, please take a listen.<br /><br />As such, yours truly has been penalized for delay of game, because having focused on getting the interview done prior to taking some vacation time with family, I totally forgot to pack the yarn for the hat I had planned.  Fortunately, there are yarn stores here in the Valley of the Sun, and I should be able to post something this coming week!  And then to catch up, will try to give everyone a couple of ideas to get started with post-holiday hat stitching (if you are so inclined).<br /><br />Until next week, take a<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9pR59n/fiberstory.tv/interview-with-pamela-hashcke-halos-of-hope/" target="_blank"> listen to Johnny's interview</a>, and thank you!<br /><br /></p> 2011-12-06T04:03:22Z 2011-12-06T04:03:22Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/966-sunday-crocheting-with-a-side-of-football-week-3.html

<p><strong>The Go-To Pattern</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Admin's Note:  For the next 4 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </em></span><br /><br />This week, I had all the best intentions to make a crochet cap that I was introduced to at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/stitches" target="_blank">Stitches East</a> in October.  I set the pattern and the yarn aside in my office at home.  I knew I would need to wind my yarn before Sunday.  Perfect Sunday afternoon of football as well.  Chicago Bears at noon, Green Bay Packers the late afternoon game.  And if I needed more time, Saints for Sunday night.<br /><br />Mid-week, we had to rush our 19-year old kitty, Nike, to the veterinarian.  Yes, that's right; 19 years old.  We've known for awhile that we were on borrowed time with our old lady.  But each time we thought she would check in that ninth life, she would rebound again, enough to make us think she might see 20.  But not this time.  While her eyes were clear and she was still fairly alert, there was something wrong with her digestion.  The doctor was hopeful.  It could be an inflammation or an infection.  Let's treat it with medication and see how she does.  If that doesn't work, then it's something more serious.  And at her nonagenarian age in people years, we weren't going to put her through extensive testing or surgery.  <br /><br />The remainder of the week, my yarn sat idle while we waited to see if our senescent sweetheart would turn the corner again.  By Saturday evening, we knew she would not.  On Sunday, Nike went over to the Rainbow Bridge, and we miss her. <img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/253670_1820840716945_1117997650_31725108_2193840_n.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br />

<p><strong>The Go-To Pattern</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Admin's Note:  For the next 4 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </em></span><br /><br />This week, I had all the best intentions to make a crochet cap that I was introduced to at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/stitches" target="_blank">Stitches East</a> in October.  I set the pattern and the yarn aside in my office at home.  I knew I would need to wind my yarn before Sunday.  Perfect Sunday afternoon of football as well.  Chicago Bears at noon, Green Bay Packers the late afternoon game.  And if I needed more time, Saints for Sunday night.<br /><br />Mid-week, we had to rush our 19-year old kitty, Nike, to the veterinarian.  Yes, that's right; 19 years old.  We've known for awhile that we were on borrowed time with our old lady.  But each time we thought she would check in that ninth life, she would rebound again, enough to make us think she might see 20.  But not this time.  While her eyes were clear and she was still fairly alert, there was something wrong with her digestion.  The doctor was hopeful.  It could be an inflammation or an infection.  Let's treat it with medication and see how she does.  If that doesn't work, then it's something more serious.  And at her nonagenarian age in people years, we weren't going to put her through extensive testing or surgery.  <br /><br />The remainder of the week, my yarn sat idle while we waited to see if our senescent sweetheart would turn the corner again.  By Saturday evening, we knew she would not.  On Sunday, Nike went over to the Rainbow Bridge, and we miss her. <img src="http://www.halosofhope.org/images/stories/253670_1820840716945_1117997650_31725108_2193840_n.jpg" border="0" style="float: right;" /><br /> 2011-11-30T03:56:31Z 2011-11-30T03:56:31Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/965-sunday-knitting-with-a-side-of-football-week-2.html

<p><strong>Cascade Fixation: Cabled Capabilities</strong><br /><br /><em>Admin's Note:  For the next 5 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </em><br /><br />For the record.  I do not swatch hats.  I know every designer and knit/crochet teacher out there are rolling their eyes, sighing deeply, tsk-tsking and pooh-poohing me.  Because I can find a home for most every hat that I make, and I do know the range of sizes that my gauge usually makes…I just don't swatch hats.  Sweaters, yes.  Cowls, sometimes. Mittens, yes.  Not hats.<br /><br />So about a third of the way into this hat, I realized that the combination of the yarn I was using, <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-fixation.asp" target="_blank">Cascade Fixation</a>, and my <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/needles.html" target="_blank">Kollage size 7 needles</a> would result in a smaller hat.  That's okay.  Kids need hats, too.  But a word to the wise.  The Kollage folks will tell you that sometimes you need to go 'up' a size using their square needles.  They may be right.  Had I used a size 8 and not 7, this hat may have come to gauge. Listen to them when they speak... <br /><br />But I digress.  This week's hat is the <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patterns_fixation.asp" target="_blank">Cabled Chemo Cap</a>, designed by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-chemo-cap" target="_blank">Susie Bonnell for Cascade Yarns, in Fixation yarn</a>.  It is a free pattern.  The Cascade folks have been very supportive of<a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/undefined/" target="_blank"> Halos of Hope</a> this year, and were kind enough to provide a sample of Fixation for us at the <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East show in Hartford, CT</a>.  The yarn is 98% cotton and 2% elastic, which means it has a lot of stretch.  As seen by the photos below, the completed hat, while comfortably fitting the child head mannequin, also stretches easily to fit a 19-20" adult/teen head.  It would just need to be a little longer, which could easily be done without going into a second skein.</p> <p>

<p><strong>Cascade Fixation: Cabled Capabilities</strong><br /><br /><em>Admin's Note:  For the next 5 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </em><br /><br />For the record.  I do not swatch hats.  I know every designer and knit/crochet teacher out there are rolling their eyes, sighing deeply, tsk-tsking and pooh-poohing me.  Because I can find a home for most every hat that I make, and I do know the range of sizes that my gauge usually makes…I just don't swatch hats.  Sweaters, yes.  Cowls, sometimes. Mittens, yes.  Not hats.<br /><br />So about a third of the way into this hat, I realized that the combination of the yarn I was using, <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-fixation.asp" target="_blank">Cascade Fixation</a>, and my <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/needles.html" target="_blank">Kollage size 7 needles</a> would result in a smaller hat.  That's okay.  Kids need hats, too.  But a word to the wise.  The Kollage folks will tell you that sometimes you need to go 'up' a size using their square needles.  They may be right.  Had I used a size 8 and not 7, this hat may have come to gauge. Listen to them when they speak... <br /><br />But I digress.  This week's hat is the <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patterns_fixation.asp" target="_blank">Cabled Chemo Cap</a>, designed by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-chemo-cap" target="_blank">Susie Bonnell for Cascade Yarns, in Fixation yarn</a>.  It is a free pattern.  The Cascade folks have been very supportive of<a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/undefined/" target="_blank"> Halos of Hope</a> this year, and were kind enough to provide a sample of Fixation for us at the <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES/" target="_blank">Stitches East show in Hartford, CT</a>.  The yarn is 98% cotton and 2% elastic, which means it has a lot of stretch.  As seen by the photos below, the completed hat, while comfortably fitting the child head mannequin, also stretches easily to fit a 19-20" adult/teen head.  It would just need to be a little longer, which could easily be done without going into a second skein.</p> <p> 2011-11-22T01:50:26Z 2011-11-22T01:50:26Z http://www.halosofhope.org/hatliners-blog/item/964-sunday-knitting-with-a-side-of-football.html

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stashbusting:  Seeing Beyond the Pattern</strong></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Admin's Note:  For the next 6 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </span></em></p> <p>If you have visited with us at a fiber or knit/crochet show, you know that Halos of Hope displays sample hats and pattern ideas that we think could be good for those enduring the side-effects of hair loss.  Volunteers who tell our story will say that almost any hat pattern will work.  The key is a good, soft, preferably washable yarn.  I often comment that just because someone has lost their hair, doesn't mean they've lost their sense of style.  The hat that you'll wear with hair will likely be a style you'll want without hair, just smaller.  Cancer patients don't want to "look" different, especially the younger ones.</p> <p>

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stashbusting:  Seeing Beyond the Pattern</strong></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Admin's Note:  For the next 6 weeks, also known as the remainder of the football season, we're going to try to have Pam work on a new hat pattern idea to share with you.  As an avid football fan, she's usually knitting or crocheting something simple to keep her hands busy, but not so difficult as to distract her from the game. </span></em></p> <p>If you have visited with us at a fiber or knit/crochet show, you know that Halos of Hope displays sample hats and pattern ideas that we think could be good for those enduring the side-effects of hair loss.  Volunteers who tell our story will say that almost any hat pattern will work.  The key is a good, soft, preferably washable yarn.  I often comment that just because someone has lost their hair, doesn't mean they've lost their sense of style.  The hat that you'll wear with hair will likely be a style you'll want without hair, just smaller.  Cancer patients don't want to "look" different, especially the younger ones.</p> <p>