Knitting/Crochet Project

Cap/Helmet Liner Knitted Version

A cap that a soldier can wear under his helmet for extra warmth while on duty must be knitted in 100% soft wool yarn. Our Armed Forces are not allowed to wear synthetic fibers “outside the wire” – which means off the base. Wool is inherently non-flammable and won’t melt against the skin in the event of an accident and is warm even when wet.

Materials: -Washable/superwash wool (Moda Dea washable wool or Cascade 220 superwash both work great) OR Lion Brand Lion Wool (100% wool) or Lion Brand Wool-Ease, 1 skein (or any soft washable wool that will knit to gauge). Colors suggested by the USO - masculine browns, blues, olives, russets and black.

-Size 7 or 8 - 16" circular needle (or size to obtain gauge)

-Size 7 or 8 double point needles (or size to obtain gauge)

NOTE: If you knit with loose or medium tension, size 7 needles will make a snug, close-fitting hat, perfect for everyday wear and to fit well under a helmet. Use size 8 needles if your tension is tight.

-One stitch marker.

Gauge: 4.5 st/in. in St stitch.

Instructions

With circular needle, cast on 90 stitches. Being careful not to twist the cast on stitches, place stitch marker and join row together.

Rows 1-3: K1, P1 ribbing.

Row 4: Increasing 1 stitch in first stitch, knit around – 91 sts. Continue knitting every round for 4" above ribbing. (Do not include the edge ribbing in the measurement).

Begin decrease:

Round 1: (K11, k2tog) 7 times – 84 sts

Round 2: Knit

Round 3: (K10, k2tog) 7 times – 77 sts

Round 4: Knit

Round 5: (K9, k2tog) 7 times – 70 sts

Round 6: Knit

Round 7: (K8, k2tog) 7 times – 63 sts

Round 8: Knit

Round 9: (K7, k2tog) 7 times – 56 sts

Round 10: Knit

Round 11: (K6, k2tog) 7 times – 49 sts

Round 12: Knit

(Switch to double pointed needles when rows become tight.)

Round 13: (K5, k2tog) 7 times – 42 sts

Round 14: Knit

Round 15: (K4, k2tog) 7 times – 35 sts

Round 16: (K3, k2tog) 7 times – 28 sts

Round 17: (K2, k2tog) 7 times – 21 sts

Round 18: (K1, k2tog) 7 times – 14 sts

Round 19: (k2tog) 7 times – 7 sts

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread tail through remaining 7 sts. Pull tight and secure.

Note: Please attach a gift card to your cap giving your name (home and email address optional).

Cap/Helmet Liner Crochet Version

A cap that a soldier can wear under his helmet for extra warmth while on duty must be crocheted in 100% soft wool yarn. Our Armed Forces are not allowed to wear synthetic fibers “outside the wire” – which means off the base. Wool is inherently non-flammable and won’t melt against the skin in the event of an accident and is warm even when wet.

Materials:

Lion Brand Lion Wool (100% wool) or Lion Brand Wool-Ease, 1 skein (or any soft washable wool) that will knit to gauge. Colors suggested by the USO – masculine browns, blues, olives, russets, black and desert tan.

Size G or H crochet hook or any size to obtain gauge.

Sizes: Average Adult

Gauge: 7sts. = 2”.

Pattern Stitch: Half Double Crochet (hdc).

Instructions:

Chain loosely 71 sts Join with slip st., hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch around, (70 hdc), join with slip st in first hdc., ch.1.

Next Row: Work 1hdc in each hdc around, join with slip st in 1st st, ch1. Repeat last row until hat is 4 1/2” above starting ch.

Decrease Row: * Work 1hdc in next 5hdc, pull up hdc loops in each of next 2 sts (6 loops on hook ), yo and draw thru all 6 loops, (1 st decreased). Repeat from * around row. (10 sts., decreased)

Next Row: Work 1hdc in each hdc around .

2nd Decrease Row: * Work 1hdc in first 4 hdc, work 1 dec in next 2 sts. Repeat from * around row.

Next Row: Work 1hdc in each hdc around.

Repeat last 2 rows, working 1 st less between decrease sts each decrease round, with last dec row worked on every 2 sts. Fasten off, pull tail of yarn thru to under side and tuck in, repeat for starting yarn tail.

Note: Please attach a gift card to your cap giving your name (home and email address optional).

Scarf Knitting Pattern

#10 Knitting needles

1 ½ Skeins of Red Heart Knitting Worsted

Must be in muted or camouflage colors…

Cast on 44 stitches

Knit straight across each row

Scarf is to be 8”-9” wide X 48” – 50” long

Bind off, no fringe please

Note: Please attach a gift card to your scarf giving your name (home and email address optional).