Heroes are Here! New Pattern, Partie Deux! (Plus a little history on the caduceus)

Heroes!

I created this pattern in honor of all the heroes in the medical field who go to work every day to help us all. Knit a hat, give it or keep it and post a pic of your finished product on Instagram to share the love! Hats up for those who help! And, as I said last post, this pattern series -- Villains and Heroes -- is free. Instead of paying for a knitting pattern, I simply suggest a donation to a charity of your choice that is helping people harmed by Covid-19. You can check out my previous post for more details on that.

Let's talk about a little fun fact: The caduceus, as a medical symbol, is actually a sort of "misnomer," in a way. Apparently, over the years (and Wikipedia alleges the U.S. is mostly to blame), the caduceus has accidentally replaced the Rod of Asclepius, which is the "real" medical symbol. While the ancient Greek god Asclepius was considered to be the god of healing and medicine and carried a rod with a single snake, the Rod of Asclepius,  or the caduceus was actually the rod of Hermes, herald, messenger, teller of things ... cool guy with wings on his feet ... Paul Schaffer in Disney's Hercules ... and the caduceus was carried in ancient times, by humans of Hermes' same occupation.

According to Wikipedia, "The modern use of the caduceus as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century as a result of documented mistakes, misunderstandings and confusion."




Anyway, it is used instead of the "correct" Rod of Asclepius as a symbol of medicine nowadays. But really, what are symbols and traditions but social constructions? Things we, as a society, have decided together over time? Maybe we should just let the caduceus stand! I'm goin' with it. I give you all my pattern, Heroes. (Sounds sort of Greek, doesn't it?) You can get the pattern in my Ravelry store as a free download. Forever. Knit on, friends, knit on!

Your knitterly friend,
Janelle




Heroes and Villains
Heroes
By Janelle serio


This stranded colorwork beanie is the second pattern in my Heroes and Villains set. Of course, you can tell from the pictures that this hat represents some of the heroes of today’s pandemic. Featuring the traditional caduceus (“ka-doo-she-us”) symbol— with its familiar staff, snakes and wings—along with some impressionistic crosses to represent the medical profession, this hat is a nod to those in the medical field who endanger themselves every day for the rest of us.
These patterns are and will remain free patterns so anyone can make and wear or make and give a hat to show solidarity with those most affected by Covid-19. If you feel so inclined, please feel free to donate to a charitable cause that helps those in need at this time. If you need some ideas, there are a few listed on the pattern page.

A word on sizing for this pattern


The size of this hat is determined using knitting gauge
·  Toddler/Child: 7st/8rounds/inch/2.5cm
·         S/M Teen/Adult: 6sts/7rounds/inch/2.5cm
·         M/L Adult: 5st/in/6rounds/inch/2.5cm


This can be accomplished by using an approximate corresponding yarn weight of:
·        Toddler/Child size: fingering weight
·         S/M Teen/Adult size: dk/sport weight
·         M/L Adult size: worsted weight


To fit head circumference (range):
·         Toddler/Child: 16-18in/41-46cm
·         S/M Teen/Adult: 19-21in/48-53cm
·         M/L Adult: 22-23in/56-58cm


Any yarn/needle combination that gives the gauges listed above will work for its corresponding hat size. Check your gauge in a portion of the colorwork pattern after blocking. Please use a combination of yarn and needles that gives your desired gauge for accurate sizing.

Finished hat size after blocking
Circumference: 15.5in/40cm (18in/46cm, 21.5in/8.5cm)
Length: 6.6in/16.6cm (7.5in/19cm, 9in/23cm)

Fit: This hat is designed with just a little extra length in all sizes to be soft and a bit slouchy. It has a firmer ribbing at the start to help hold it on, but choose your size according not only to your recipient’s actual head size, but also how you’d like your hat to fit.
In the photo on the front page of this pattern, the sample I am wearing is an adult M/L and my head is 21.5inches in circumference, and my actual crown height (measured center-top of head to ear lobe) is 8.5inches. 

Materials

Estimated yarn amounts (These are only estimates. Everyone uses a different amount of yarn when they knit! Be sure to have extra on hand.):
  • Toddler/Child: 122yds/112m total; 50yds/46m MC; 36yds/33m CC1; 36yds/33mCC2
  • S/M Teen/Adult: 126yds/115m total; 50yds/46m MC; 38yds/35m CC1; 38yds/35CC2
  • M/L Adult: 155yds/142m total; 62yds/57 MC; 47yds/43m CC1; 47yds/43m CC2


Yarn suggestions
Toddler/Child: Fingering weight yarns, some thicker dk sock yarns also work up at the desired gauge for this pattern (7st/inch/2.5cm) or can be made to using the right needles.
S/M Teen/Adult: Plymouth Dreambaby DK, Cascade 220 Superwash (I know it says worsted, but for me it always works up at dk weight!)
M/L Adult: Rowan Pure Wool Worsted, Cascade 220 (worsted)

Tools
Toddler/Child: One set each of US3/3.5mm and US5/4mm 16in/41cm circular needles; one set of US6/4mm dpns.
S/M Teen/Adult: One set each of US5/3.75mm and US7/4.5mm 16in/41cm circular needles; one set of US7/4.5mm dpns.
M/L Adult: One set each of US6/4mm and US8/5mm 16in/41cm circular needles; one set US8/5mm dpns.
All sizes: Stitch markers, a darning needles and scissors.

Abbreviations and special stitches
CO: Cast on
R: Indicates round number
K: Knit
MC, CC: Main color, contrasting color
K2tog: Knit two together
*to*: Indicates a repeat section
K1fb: Knit into next stitch as usual, leave stitch on needle, knit the same stitch a second time through the back loop. Stitch completed.


The Pattern
CO 96 stitches using CC1 and smaller circular needles.
Join in the round, taking care not to twist.
R1: *k1, p1* repeat from *to* to end of round.
Repeat R1 7 more times. (8 rounds completed)
R9: *k7, k1fb* repeat from *to* to end of round. Do not break CC1 yet.  (12 stitches increased, 108 stitches total, 9 rounds completed.)

The body of the hat
Switching to larger circular needles and, using stranded knitting technique and MC and CC1, begin knitting color chart. Break CC1 after round 2 and pick up CC2. Continue on to complete color chart (Pattern repeats three times around the hat).
Once chart is complete, break both yarns. Pick up CC1 for crown decreases.

The crown
Using CC1, begin crown decreases:
R1: *k10, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R2: *k9, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R3: *k8, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R4: *k7, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R5: *k6, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R6: *k5, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R7: *k4, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R8: *k3, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R9: *k2, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R10: *k1, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R11: *k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round (53 rounds completed, 9 stitches remain)

Finishing
Cut a long enough yarn tail to run through all the remaining stitches using a darning needle. Cinch stitches tightly together, tie off inside hat. Weave in all ends.
For best results, we block finished hat to smooth out colorwork stitches.

Colorwork chart
Pattern repeats 3 times around the hat. And in case anyone wondered: yes. This chart was a brainbuster.


New free pattern! Villains! Released today!


Hello, all! Hope this post finds you all well and happily knitting away. Here is the first of two hats in my series "Heroes and Villains!" Or as my friends have been calling these: "pandemic hats." Testing is over and I am ready to give this to you! You can use the pattern I've provided here on the blog, or if you'd like a pdf download (also free), please visit me on my Ravelry Shop page. 

This pattern -- and the second one in the series, "Heroes" -- will remain free. Instead of paying for the patterns, I would love to suggest a donation of any amount to a charity of your choice that is helping people in this great time of need. Here are a couple:

1. Feeding America has been supplying food banks for many years and has a Covid-19 program. Here is the link to the donations page.

2. Give Directly has been giving money to those in need around the world for many years. They also now have a special program for the US: cash to those who need it most. 

3. Local Hospitals around each of us might have some patients who are hospitalized with Covid-19 (this happened to a young woman at my church), survive and then have a large hospital bill to pay. Hospitals usually have programs to help people pay their bills; check your local hospitals for more. 

If you know of any other worthy charities, please feel free to share them in the comments below! Enjoy the pattern!

Standing in solidarity with those most affected by this virus! If you make one of these patterns, please tag me on Instagram @freckledgirlknits with pics! 

Heroes and Villains
Corona virus slouchy Hat
(The villain)
By Janelle Serio


This slightly oversized stranded colorwork hat was born out of an inexplicable desire to knit something with a corona virus on it. Whether this drive came from a longing to control my surroundings (which we all know are not within our control), show solidarity with those who are afflicted most by Covid-19 or just to “call the virus out,” as if that could accomplish something. I cannot say.  

 At first, I was thinking of creating a fundraiser out of this pattern and its sister pattern, “Heroes,” but it makes more sense to me to offer these patterns for free to all. Make a hat for yourself, a loved one or someone you know in the medical field who goes to work every day to help care for us all, and risk their lives in doing so.

After you make the hat, please feel free to donate what would be the price of a knitting pattern instead to an organization of your choice who is helping people most affected by the pandemic. For charity organization ideas, see the pattern page.


A word on sizing for this pattern

The size of this hat is determined using knitting gauge:

·         Toddler/Child: 6st/7rounds/inch, 2.5cm
·         S/M Teen/Adult: 5sts/6rounds/inch/2.5cm
·         M/L Adult: 4.5st/in/5rounds/inch/2.5cm

This can be accomplished by using an approximate corresponding yarn weight of:
·         Toddler/Child size: dk/sport weight
·         S/M Teen/Adult size: worsted weight
·         M/L Adult size: aran weight

To fit head circumference (range):
·     Toddler/Child: 17-18in/43-46cm
·         S/M Teen/Adult: 21-22in/53-56cm
·         M/L Adult: 22-23in/53-58cm


Any yarn/needle combination that gives the gauges listed above will work for its corresponding hat size. Check your gauge in a portion of the colorwork pattern after blocking. Please use a combination of yarn and needles that gives your desired gauge for accurate sizing.

Finished hat size after blocking

Circumference: 16in/41cm (20in/51cm, 21in/53cm)
Length: 8in/20cm (9.5in/54cm, 11in/28cm)

Fit: This hat is designed with extra length in all sizes to be soft and slouchy. It has a firmer ribbing at the start to help hold it on, but choose your size according not only to your recipient’s actual head size, but also how you’d like your hat to fit.
In the photo on the front page of this pattern, the sample I am wearing is an adult M/L and my head is 21.5inches in circumference, and my actual crown height (measured center-top of head to ear lobe) is 8.5inches.


The pattern

CO 98 stitches in CC using smaller circular needles.
Join in the round, taking care not to twist.
R1: *k1tbl, p1* repeat from *to* end of round.
Repeat R1 10 more times. (11 rounds completed)
R12: *k23, k1fb* repeat from *to* 3 more times. End of round, 4 stitches increased. (4 stitches increased, 102 stitches total, 12 rounds completed)


The body of the hat

Switching to larger circular needles and, using stranded knitting technique in MC and CC, knit color chart. (The chart repeats three times around the hat.) Do not break yarn once chart is completed. (47 rounds completed)


The crown

Using MC *k49, k2tog* repeat from *to* one more time. End of round. (100 stitches) Break MC.
Using CC, begin crown decreases:
R1:    *k8, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R2:     Knit
R3:    *k7, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R4:     Knit
R5:    *k6, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R6:    *k5, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R7:    *k4, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R8:    *k3, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R9:    *k2, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R10:  *k1, k2tog* repeat *to* end of round
R11:  *k2tog* repeat *to* end of round (58 rounds completed and 10 stitches remain)


Finishing

Cut a long enough yarn tail to run through all the remaining stitches using a darning needle. Cinch stitches tightly together, tie off inside hat. Weave in all ends.
For best results, we block finished hat to smooth out colorwork stitches.


Colorwork chart

Pattern repeats three times around the hat.




Heroes are Here! New Pattern, Partie Deux! (Plus a little history on the caduceus)

Heroes! I created this pattern in honor of all the heroes in the medical field who go to work every day to help us all. Knit a hat, give...