PATTERNS


Patterns available

  • Knitted cap
  • Lap robes
  • Cooling Neck Tie
  • Helmet Cooler

Hint: instead of tying a knot when adding a new skein to finish your cap, thread a darning needle with the yarn attached to your cap and splice up the middle of the new skein for about 4". Pull the 2 ends until secure. You will knit about 3-4 stitches and it will be secure.



COOLING NECK TIE
When making cool ties for the Military, they are required to be 100% cotton fabric (camo, tan, sand colored, etc - bright colors might attract gunfire) with a tight weave so the crystals won‘t ooze out. Patterns are okay but make sure it‘s something your husband or son would wear..lol.
Each cool tie is made with water absorbing crystals which is safe and non-toxic. Cool Ties work on the principal of evaporative cooling.  Once the crystals are hydrated, the fabric surface of the Cool Tie draws the moisture from the crystals to the fabric surface, which evaporates resulting in an effective body cooler.  Wear the Cool Tie around the neck or head and it will bring great relief from the heat!

Each pound of water absorbing crystals contains about 115 teaspoons of crystals, which will make at least 50 bandanas at 2 teaspoons per tie.  I purchased the crystals at Walmart in their garden department.

DIRECTIONS
Cut one strip of fabric 5" wide from a fabric that is at least 45" wide.  
Fold the fabric right sides together the width of the strip (the piece should now be 2 1/2" by 45".)  Using a 1/2" seam, (the tail ends will be slanted to give a more finished look) start stitching at one end, stitch to the center leaving about a 3-4 inch opening (for turning and placing the crystals). Stitch to the end remembering to slant the end.   Turn tube right side out and press. From center back, measure 7 inches on both sides of center. Sew a seam at both 7 inch marks, this will be the pocket for the crystals.
Carefully pour the crystals into the tube (2 teaspoons). Stitch the tube closed. Reinforce with another row of stitching.
To use the cool neck band: soak in water for a 15-20 minutes (hot water speeds the hydration process).  As the crystals soak up the water "mush" them around so the crystals spread out equally along the tube. 
To use as a bandana: soak in water 5-10 minutes
TIPS
The water absorbing crystals are used in gardening soil for water retention.
The cool band can be refrigerated so it is more refreshing on a hot day.
 It can be soaked in cold water and used over and over.  
If too many crystals are used in the tube, they will ooze through the fabric tube.  Generally two teaspoons is all that is needed.  .... ·     Store in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator, or hang dry.
The ties can also be gently heated by microwave or hot water and used as a reusable hand/pocket warmer
Sample label to be tied to the cooling tie:
Dear American Hero,
We appreciate your service to our country and are praying for your safety.
Soak in water for 20 minutes for cooling neck tie or 7-10 minutes for a bandana
Handmade especially for you by:______________________








Caps for Soldiers Knit Pattern (helmet liners)    

Needles: use US # 6 or 7  4 double pointed needles (4spi & 5 rpi)
or circular - sz 6  or 7  16” length or 32” circular Skacel magic loop
Yarn: 100% WOOL only 4ply  such as Patons wool, Lions Brand ‘Fisherman Wool’, KnitPiks Superwash wool.
Colors: earth tones, medium or dark colors. No light/bright colors to put the soldiers in harms way

Begin by casting on 90 stitches and distribute on a set of 4 double pointed needles. 30 stitches on each of 3 needles.(or cast 90 stitches on a circular needle) Work in the round being careful not to twist your cast on edge.  If you mark the beginning of your round with a stitch marker, it is easiest to place after working the first round. Work in k1 p1 ribbing to 1”. Then work one round of purl stitches. You will begin knitting on each round, to a depth of 5 inches from the cast on edge. At this point you will begin shaping for the crown.

To set up the decrease round *k 18 and place stitch marker. Repeat from * to end of round, placing stitch marker at end of round if you do not have one between the beginning and end of round already. Decrease rounds are worked as follows, k to last 2 sts before stitch marker, k2tog. Rep from * to end of round. Follow with a plain round (knit with no decreases). Alternate decrease rounds and plain rounds until there are 30 stitches remaining after working a decrease round. Do not follow this round with a plain round, but k2tog across instead. Break yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail and thread tail onto tapestry needle. Insert tapestry needle through remaining loops on needles clockwise twice. Remove needles, insert needle through remaining hole at center and turn cap inside out. Draw hole at center closed by pulling yarn tight and fasten before working in end. Please no knots within your knitted cap. A hint for splicing yarn is found under patterns
    
(I have completed the cap with the 16”circular, but it does get tight. The 32“ magic loop works great)
Finished caps have to be at least 8" long
Please attach a note to the ‘inside’ of each cap and sign it with your first name and the city & state you are from, to make the caps more personalized. Example:  Dear American Hero:  May you feel the warmth and love stitched into this cap. We pray for your safe return to your loved ones. Your cap is made of 100% wool. Hand wash in cold water, lay flat to dry.  Handmade by:  (your name).

You can put your email on the note, if you wish. We do get emails back sometimes.

Use yarn to attach note inside the caps & tie in a bow.


website: capsforsoldiers.com

omanderson66@gmail.com




LAP ROBES                                                     

The lap robes are for our injured veterans in hospitals or convalence homes. They are made out of acrylic yarn, can be knitted or crocheted and the pattern can be your choice as long as the size is approximately 28X48" and has no fringe that could get in the wheels of the wheelchairs. The picture will show some of the finished lap robes of different designs. The following pattern could also be used.

BLAZING RIPPLE THROW

SIZE
36 X 42

GAUGE
1 'ripple' = about 6 in (15cm)

LAP ROBE
Ch 76
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *dc in next 4 ch, dc3tog, dc in next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch; rep from *4 more times, dc in next 4 ch, dc3tog, dc in next 4 ch, 2 dc in last ch - 6 ripples.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in first dc, *dc in next 4 dc, dc3tog, dc in next 4 dc, 3 dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, dc in next 4 dc, dc3tog, dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in top of turning ch. Change yarn color
Rows 3-36: Rep Row 2, continuing in Color Sequence as by changing color every other row. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Weave in ends

ABBREVIATIONS
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
rep = repeat
st(s) = stitch(es)



KNITTED LAP ROBE                                                                                                                         
needle size -  US15
Cast on 72 stitches using 2 strands of yarn
one block = 12 sts wide x 12 rows high - each lap robe is 6 blocks by 12 blocks

Row 1: * knit 12, purl 12 repeat* across, turn
repeat  row 1 for 12 rows  (this completes the first set of 6 blocks across)
Row 13: * purl 12, knit 12 repeat * across, turn
repeat row 13 for 12 rows  (24rows) this completes the 2nd set of blocks)
Row 25: repeat Row 1 for 12 rows  (36 rows)
Row 37: repeat Row 13 for 12 rows (48 rows)
Repeat until you have 12 blocks long (144 rows total)
Bind off and weave in ends.