While we have this image from the various news channels of Afghanistan being a hot desert climate, it is, in fact, quite chilly this time of year.  One of our friends has a son in the army, currently stationed in Afghanistan and he’s been sharing stories of the freezing nightly temperatures.

In response, we’re joining the national helmet liner knitting day and  hosting a helmet liner knitting event on December 29th in the shop.  We’ve ordered bunches of 100% wool superwash worsted weight yarns in army-approved colors.  The pattern for helmet liners can be knit or crocheted and will feel considerably more comfortable than the Army-issued liners.  They have to be 100% wool for warmth and safety, but the superwash allows the soldiers to wash them so they are always clean and soft.  After all, they are men and we can’t expect them to gently clean their helmet liners in Woolite can we?

So here’s your chance to support our troops.  Join us and the rest of the country on December 29th to knit or crochet a helmet liner.  We’ll have plenty of knitters on hand to help you if you need it.  Once your helmet liners are finished we’ll send it to our friends in Afghanistan to let them know their home town is thinking of them!

The approved colors are black, tan, brown, charcoal or a combination of these colors only.

Interested in getting started early?  Here’s the FREE PDF pattern to download for the helmet liners (both knit & crochet versions are in one file) and the PDF pattern to download for the Caps and Gators. Happy Knitting!

EVENT:
December 29th
10am – 5pm & 6pm – 9pm

12/28:  I just spoke on Facebook with our friend & soldier Ryan.  He and the guys in the platoon are very excited about the prospect of handknitted warmth!  I asked if there was anything else they needed and Ryan said the helmet liners for sure but that they also need hats and gators to keep them warm in addition to or in place of the helmet liners as they are not ALWAYS in full gear.

Below is Ryan’s response to my question about anything else they may need:
“oh jeez warm stuff hmmm honestly the helmet liner thing is awsome if ya’ll could just do like stocking cap like dealies that would be the heat everyone would love that…neck gators are great for driving in the strykers as well. As far as numbers there are 31 members of my platoon but if yall managed to make more I’m sure I could find more people that would love them…its freezing cold here..we are always cold so we can always use an extra layer of anything.”