A few years ago my oldest son spent 6 months in Africa with the Army and, as you can imagine, it was really hot! He told us how they would soak a sock in water, put a water bottle inside and hang it from the outside mirror on their trucks. As they drove the air would cool the water. How COOL is that?! (lol) Read about this: Cold water in the desert.
He also said he still saw our beanies being worn and how much the soldiers appreciated getting something from “back home”. After some brainstorming about a new project, we decided to help keep them cool and save those socks! We ended up sending over 1000 soakers to US troops!
Since that summer, we have received many requests to make these again.
Please Join Us In Supporting Our Soldiers
PLEASE read through this page thoroughly. ALL needed information is included and it is important the guidelines are followed.
How can you help?
Shipping Sponsors needed: We have had a HUGE request for these from several units plus we have already shipped 1200 soakers! In order to send more, we are opening up our shipping sponsor packs for 3 days.
Click here for more info: https://snappy-tots.com/shop/beanies-for-bravery-shipping-sponsor/
Crochet a “Water Bottle Soaker”, following the pattern and guidelines. Send all finished soakers to the address below before September 15th, 2024.
Heidi Yates, c/o BFB
848 Kentwood Drive
Brigham City, UT 84302
- These are a quick and easy project and take less than one small skein of COTTON yarn.
- They would make a GREAT project for on-the-go and for teaching teens to crochet this summer!
- There are specific guidelines. Please follow these because items made from non cotton yarns, or in the wrong colors or by a different pattern cannot be sent and are a waste of your time and shipping expense.
Soakers MUST Fit The Following Guidelines
- Must be made from the “Water Bottle Soakers” pattern! WHY?? The handle was designed to be a good length to slip over their mirrors, plus it creates a solid fabric to hold more water. At this time there is NOT a knit version.
- Must be made from 100% cotton yarn so they will absorb water. PLEASE use one color instead of changing colors and creating extra ends that could come undone.
- MUST be one of the following colors (desert-ish colors preferred): tan, brown, natural (please not white), grey, variegated neutrals or browns
Please stick to the colors listed and do not use any bright versions. At this time greens are not accepted (because there are too many bright varieties). - Optional: Include a handwritten note/thank you letter inside the soaker. Do NOT include personal addresses or phone numbers on the tags.
- Shipping address available in our facebook group or by emailing Heidi. It is also in the pdf version of this pattern (see link below).
Want to purchase an ad-free, downloadable PDF of this pattern for only $1? This will be available by August 1, 2024.
100% of the proceeds from this pattern will be used to ship soakers to our soldiers overseas.
Materials and Details
- Yarn: worsted weight COTTON yarn (approximately 92 yards)
- Crochet Hook: H
- Miscellaneous: yarn needle for weaving in ends.
- Gauge: Not important for this project. Instead, check measurements along the way, as listed in pattern.
- Measurements: 9-9.5” tall x 4.5” wide, Handle – 12-14” long x 1″ wide.
Instructions
1. With H hook and yarn, start with a magic circle of 8 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8
sc sts), pull closed and place marker for working in the round. (8sts)
2. 2sc in each st to end of round. (16sts)
3. *Sc, 2 sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts) 1.75″ across
4. *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) 2.25-2.5″ across
5-6. Sc in each st to end of round. After round #6 the piece will start to cup.
7. Hdc in each st to end of round until piece measures 7.5” from starting point/beginning circle (measure flat).
8-9. Sc in each st to end of round.
10. Place marker for start of round. This step starts the handle. Sl st in next st, ch 100, sk 2 sts on rim, sl
st in next st, sc in each st on rim to end of round.11. Sc in each ch across handle, sc in each st to end of round.
12. Sl st in each st across handle, sc in each st to end of round.
13. For the first part of this round, please refer to photos below. Sc across handle, working into space below each sl st. Sc in each st to end of round. Working “around” the sl st round creates a stronger handle.
14. Sc in each st across handle and in each st to end of round.
15. Sl st in each st across handle and in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in end.
If you have ANY questions please check out the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Do you know of a soldier deployed to a hot climate area that we could send bottle soakers to, please email Heidi.
Thank you for your help!
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors can I use?
Desert-ish colors preferred. Tan, brown, natural (please not white), grey, variegated neutrals or browns
See some color suggestions (not all) by brand and name in our facebook group.
Just a few of the acceptable colors.
What is the shipping address?
Due to safety concerns, the address is not published her on this site. You may find the address in our facebook group or by emailing Heidi. It is also in the pdf version of this pattern.
Who pays the shipping?
The soakers need to be shipped to Heidi (each participant pays to ship the piece to Heidi). The soakers 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!
What Is Beanies for Bravery?
In 2011 we started a project called “Beanies for Bravery”. People from all over the world made beanies for our US soldiers. Those, along with a hand written thank you letter, were sent to more than 6000 soldiers from 2011-2015! It was an AMAZING project.
It got to be a HUGE project and we started receiving MANY hats we couldn’t send to the soldiers because people hadn’t followed the guidelines. We decided to take a break and try again at a later time.