Helmetliners and Scarves

I just received these instructions today in an e-mail from my friend Kristen.  Her friend is serving his third tour in Iraq and she is making these Helmetliners for him and some of his buddies.  I thought I would share the pattern in case any of you would like to do the same for a soldier.  No matter what your views on the war, there are young men serving this country that could use our skills and our help. 

If you go to directly to the website there are also instructions for a crochet pattern.  If you are a new knitter and the helmetliner is too much to take on, I have included a scarf pattern at the bottom of the page.  (Please note acrylic yarns cannot be used for safety reasons.)

"HELMETLINER" KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS

(Known as a "Wooly Pulleys" by our Armed Forces)

Materials:

Any soft, worsted (100 grams/3.5 ounces) wool yarn that will knit to gauge, such as Cascade 220 or equivalent. The label should state that for size 7 needle, 5 stitches per 1 inch, and for size 8 needle, 4-1/2 stitches per 1 inch. Approx. 175 yds.

Only 100% soft wool yarn will be accepted, because our Armed Forces are not allowed to wear synthetic fibers outside the wire. Wool is inherently non-flammable and won’t melt against the skin in the event of an accident and is warm even when wet.

Colors:

ONLY  black, charcoal, brown, tan, olive drab or combinations of these colors are allowed by our Armed Forces.

Size 8 – 16” circular needle, or size to get gauge

Size 8 - Double point needles

Size 6 - 16” circular needles for the ribbings

1 stitch marker.

Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

(I used size 4 and 5 circular Addi Turbos)

Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the helmet liner will fit properly when worn.

Neck Ribbing: With smaller circular needle, cast on 84 stitches loosely. Place marker. Join in round and knit in 2x2 (meaning knit 2, purl 2) ribbing for 6 inches.

Cap: With larger circular needle, knit 32 stitches off smaller needle onto the larger size 8 circular needle. Leave smaller circular needle in the rest of the stitches. The smaller circular needle will just act as a stitch holder while you complete the cap portion with the size 8 circular and double-point needles.

Cast on 59 additional stitches, place marker to mark beginning of round, join in round, knit even for 4”. ("Knit even" means to knit every stitch).

Be sure to check your gauge. Even being off 1/2 stitch per inch will make the helmetliner useless, as it will not fit properly.

1st decrease row: *Knit 11, Knit 2 together,* repeat to end of round.

Next row: Knit even.

2nd decrease row: *K10, K2 together,* repeat to end.

Next row: knit even, meaning to knit every stitch. Change to double point (DP) needles when necessary.

Continue decreases as established until knit 2, knit 2 together. After this, decrease every row until a total of 7 stitches remain on the double point needles. Cut yarn 8-9” long, feed through remaining stitches and weave in.

Face Ribbing: With size 6 circular needle that is still in neck portion, pick up the 59 (I picked up 60) stitches that you cast on when starting the cap portion. Join in circle and do Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing for 1 inch. On last row of ribbing, decrease about 8 stitches by purl 2 together in 4 locations around the face. You may need to increase or decrease the number of times you decrease (purl 2 together) so that it isn't too tight or too loose in the face ribbing.  (I decreased 7 times in the purls.  Skipped first set, then 2nd set, skipped next, etc.  Did not decrease in bottom half.)  This keeps the wind from whipping underneath it.

Cast off. Weave in ends

(The original pattern was designed by Bonnie Long, Knit Wits, 3419 Chatham Rd. Springfield, IL 62704. 217-698-6100. Revised 1-19-05. All rights reserved. Copies may be made only for the purpose of donating helmets to our active service personnel. In any case design attribution must remain. Operation Helmetliner, Inc. has made changes to the original pattern for clarity and to incorporate suggestions from our Armed Forces).

Ship to Operation Helmetliner, P.O. Box 104, Dahlgren, IL 62828.

Website: www.geocities.com/helmetliner

Questions: helmetliner@gmail.com

SCARVES FOR TROOPS
KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS


Materials:
Any soft, worsted or bulky weight (100 grams/3.5 ounces) wool yarn.

Only 100% soft wool yarn will be accepted, because our Armed Forces are not allowed to wear synthetic fibers outside the wire. Wool is inherently non-flammable and won’t melt against the skin in the event of an accident and is warm even when wet.

Colors:
ONLY  black, charcoal, brown, tan, olive drab or combinations of these colors are allowed by our Armed Forces.

Finished dimensions: approx. 12 in. x 42 in. No fringe or scallops, just plain.

Cast off. Weave in ends.



Ship to Operation Helmetliner, P.O. Box 104, Dahlgren, IL 62828.
Website: www.geocities.com/helmetliner
Questions: helmetliner@gmail.com

Comments

[barbara]

need instructions for the scarf, helmet liner too difficult for
me at this time!

thank youi

[grace vonnohj]

please e mail me explicit instructions for knitted scarf. I have a group of knitters making helmet liners, but they are too difficult for novice knitters like. Anxiously awaiting scarf instructions.

[Patsy]

I did not foind the instrusction for the scarfs. Have made several helmets. Grandson liked his. Am making orange ones now for hunters. Ski and snow mobilers like them too.

[Joyce Anderson]

In making the scarf is it all knit one row and pearl the next until desired length is reached. Would love to make the helments, but a little harder then I thought. May try and get some help. Thanks