"May you be surrounded by angels as you fight cancer, and know some one is praying for you." Heatherly Walker, Yarn Yenta Designs

Imagine a beautiful day in October and the Stitches East Market floor is a-buzz, with attendees and shoppers, spinning the Wheel of Fiber with Kollage.  Ooh'ing and ahh'ing over the new Red Heart Boutique yarns.  Learning how easy it is to chart their own designs using Intwined Pattern Studio 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.

One says, I'd like to see us be able to offer more original and unique design patterns. Something simple, but something uniquely ours.  We'd like to work more with independent designers to showcase their work; but also to have them design something just for Halos of Hope. The other asks if there is anything special that the charity would be looking for.  Reply?  Wouldn't it be beautiful to have a hat where the brim was encircled by angels?

The two women were Heatherly Walker, of Yarn Yenta Design and Intwined Pattern Studio, and Pam Haschke, President and Founder of Halos of Hope. Each went their respective ways from Hartford, Connecticut. And just before the two were to meet again at Stitches West, the pattern for Angels Watching Over arrived in Pam's email box.

The pattern hadn't been fully tested as yet, but I knew we must premiere this at Stitches West.  Heather is from California.  We should showcase it first in her own backyard.   I frantically moved other projects off my needles, found something in my stash, and cast on to get one of the versions knit up in time.

I have to admit.  When I first started the brim, I couldn't 'see' the angels.  I chalk it up to frantically knitting.  As I moved up to the stockinette part of the hat, I looked down and there they were!  It's such an uncomplicated hat to knit, and I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.  This was exactly what I envisioned when Heather and I talked in Connecticut. Pam Haschke, Test Knitter and Founder, Halos of Hope

Halos of Hope was able to not only premiere Angels Watching Over at Stitches West, we were fortunate to have the designer sign her pattern at the Market on Friday afternoon. And from Friday until we closed on Sunday, those who came by saw the angels and loved the hat.

This exclusive design for Halos of Hope is available with a simple $2 donation to the charity.  Your contribution will help us continue to send hats to the over 450 cancer centers we support across the country.  The pattern comes with both versions:  the stockinette one shown here and another that continues the ribbed effect to the crown.  Instructions are both charted and written.  If you have any questions, you can post them to our Angels Watching Over Ravelry thread, or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We look forward to seeing many angels donated to surround those in need of comfort during their cancer treatments.