Over the past few days I have done a lot of thinking about why I crochet and what I enjoy most about crocheting. It is the joy and peace I receive in making something others enjoy. I also love seeing the things people make for gifts and especially those things they donate to charity.
From 2011-2017 we collected handmade things to send to U.S. soldiers serving overseas. This project has touched thousands of lives. Now is a GREAT time to crochet and knit to touch a life, don’t you think?
Please Join Us In Supporting Our Troops
PLEASE read through this page thoroughly. ALL needed information is included and it is important the guidelines are followed.
Each year we donate hundreds of hats to local shelters because guidelines were NOT followed and cannot be sent to the troops.
Beanies Needed for Soldiers
In 2011, after my oldest son joined the army, we started a project called “Beanies for Bravery” to help show our support and give a small piece of love to our troops.
People from all over the world have made beanies for our US soldiers. Those, along with a hand written thank you letter, have been sent to more than 6000 soldiers from 2011-2015! In 2017 we collected water bottle soakers (a holder to keep their water cool) and sent over 1800 to troops in Afghanistan and Africa.
Thoughts From Soldiers
I have heard from many soldiers from the beginning of this project about how thankful they are to receive something, especially something made for them.
How can you help?
- Crochet or knit solid black or solid dark brown beanies. Follow guidelines as listed below.
- Write a short thank you note to a soldier and email or mail to above address. A note is attached to every beanie. This is a GREAT way for all ages and those unable to make hats to get involved.
- An ad-free, downloadable PDF of this pattern, which includes the crochet and knit version is available for only $1. click here
100% of the proceeds from this pattern will be used to ship beanies to our soldiers overseas. - Send your beanies to the address in the pdf (or email HEIDI) by October 15th, 2019.
Guidelines
There are specific guidelines. Please follow these because hats that are the wrong colors or sizes cannot be sent and are a waste of your time and shipping expense.
Specifications
- Beanies must be dark brown or black
- Measurements: 8 ½ – 10 inches deep and 21 – 23 inches in circumference. PLEASE measure and make sure your hat is the right size.
- Any pattern, knit or crochet, may be used.
- PLEASE no cuffs, pompoms, earflaps, stripes, appliques or colors other than dark brown or black.
- Attach a handwritten note/thank you letter to each beanie you send. Do NOT include personal addresses or phone numbers on the tags. Please do NOT use straight pins.
Suggested Yarn Brands and Colors
Red Heart Super Saver: Coffee or Black
Red Heart With Love: Chocolate, Black
These are just suggestions and many other yarns may be used.
Please be aware that some yarns, like Caron Simply Soft are a light weight worsted yarn. Make sure your beanie fits the needed measurements.
Important Note: some branches of the military request only 100% wool items, but the units we send to have requested non wool, washable fibers. I continually check to make sure we are providing items our soldiers are able to use.
Suggested pattern
When we first started this project, I wanted to offer a suggested pattern. Michelle Miller had this great pattern and the results are consistent. Easy enough for a beginner too. What drew me to the pattern was the fact that the designer is a mother of 3 sailors. This pattern has been passed down from her grandmother. Please respect her and the pattern and do not distribute it in part or whole.
Crochet Pattern
Want to purchase an ad-free, downloadable PDF of this pattern, which includes the crochet and knit versions, for only $1? click here
100% of the proceeds from this pattern will be used to ship beanies to our soldiers overseas.
Materials
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in dark brown or black. Yarns MUST be washable and comfortable fibers.
Please be aware not all worsted weight, size 4 yarns are the same thickness and can
provide a variety of results.
Hook: I hook (5.5mm)
Gauge: 4″ = 13 hdc and 10 rows
Finished size needs to be 8 ½ – 10 inches deep
Sample created from this pattern with gauge provided is 8.5″ x 20.5″
Note: These hats will be provided to both men and women.
Please no stripes, varigated yarns or embellishments such as braids and pompoms.
Directions
1. With I hook and worsted weight yarn, start with a magic circle of 8hdc (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8hdc sts). (8sts)
2. Work 2 hdc in each hdc around. (16 hdc)
3. Work (1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st) around. (24 hdc)
4. Work (1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) around. (32 hdc)
5. Work (1 hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st) around. (40 hdc)
6. Work (1 hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st) around. (48 hdc)
7. Work (1 hdc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (56 hdc)
8. Work (1 hdc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (64 hdc)
9. Work 1 hdc in each st around until hat measures 8.5 – 10″ from top to current row.
On the last round of hdc, finish with hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st. This will make the next round even.
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
Join with Sl St into first ch-1 sp. Finish off and weave in ends.
Knit Pattern
An ad-free, downloadable PDF of this pattern, which includes the crochet and knit version is available for only $1. click here
100% of the proceeds from this pattern will be used to ship beanies to our soldiers overseas.
Materials
Worsted weight yarn in dark brown or black
Please be aware not all worsted weight, size 4 yarns are the same thickness and can provide a variety of results.
Needles: Size 9 (4.5mm) x 12” or 16” circular needles, Size 9 double-pointed needles, Stitch marker
Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches
Finished size needs to be 8 ½ – 10 inches deep
Sample created from this pattern with gauge provided is 8.5″ x 20.5″
Note: These hats will be provided to both men and women.
Please no stripes, variegated yarns or embellishments.
Directions
With worsted weight yarn and circular needles, cast on 72 stitches, place marker, and join to begin knitting in the round.
Knit 1, Purl 1 Rib for two inches.
Work in stockinette (knit every round) until piece measures 7 inches from cast-on edge or desired length if a longer or shorter hat is needed.
Note: Switch to double-pointed needles when too few stitches remain to easily knit on circulars.
Decreasing
- *knit 7, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (64sts)
- *knit 6, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (56sts)
- *knit 5, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (48sts)
- *knit 4, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (40sts)
- *knit 3, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (32sts)
- *knit 2, knit 2tog* repeat to end of round. (24sts)
- *knit 1, knit 2tog*, repeat to end of round. (16sts)
- *knit 2tog*, repeat to end of round. (8sts)
- Thread yarn through the remaining 8 sts and pull tight to close the top of the beanie. Weave in ends.
Thank you for supporting our soldiers. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Extra Donations
Unfortunately we cannot send extra items such as food, toothbrushes, soap, etc. Please do not send anything but beanies and notes.
Tips For Sizing
Please measure beanies and make sure they are big enough for an adult male, but not too big. We get a big variety of hats. Here are some:
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- This hat is too small.
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- This hat is too big.
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- Hats sometimes come WAY too big and small.
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- Bottom hat is correct length. Top hat had to have rounds added.
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- Lots of hats need small repairs. Please weave in all ends and make sure top does not have a hole. Stitch it closed if necessary.
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- Each hat is sent with a note. Hand written ones are best!
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- Getting hats ready to ship.
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- Packaging hats to ship. Each hat is rolled with a note inside and banded to make it easy to distribute.
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- Labeled with stickers and ready to ship.
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- Soldiers in Afghanistan wearing their beanies.
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- Beanies come in all sizes.
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- Keeping warm in his new beanie.
Who receives the beanies?
Because we ship to a lot of war zones we cannot post exact areas. In the past we have sent to Marines, Army and Air Force soldiers in the Middle East.
In addition, 1500 beanies were made in green and white for the students and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT after the horrific events in 2012. For those that participated in that project, we keep in contact with the school PTA and will post any pictures or information we receive.
Last update: hats were passed out to the students and staff during the fall, 2013. Pictures are not available at this time.
Do YOU Have Someone We Can Send Beanies To?
If you have ANY questions or know of a soldier we could send hats to, please email Heidi.
Shipping Information
FIRST shipment will be sent: October 15th, 2019
We will continue to ship beanies through the end of the year if we have them.
What is the shipping address?
Due to safety concerns, the address is not published here on this site. You may find the address in the pdf version of this pattern
or by emailing Heidi at [email protected].
Who pays the shipping?
The beanies need to be shipped to Heidi (each participant pays to ship the piece to Heidi). The beanies are then prepared to ship to the soldiers. Heidi pays the shipping, with help from the purchase of the pdf version of this pattern. THANK YOU!
How much is shipping?
Heidi lives in Utah. Shipping TO Heidi depends on how far away you live. Since they are a fairly small, light weight project, I think the cost should be pretty minimal.
The cost to ship TO the soldiers is approximately $22 per 30 beanies. We have done a lot of research (A LOT) as we have shipped beanies to soldiers in the past so we know the most inexpensive way to ship.
