Thank you so much to all of you who serve, served and offer support to those in the armed forces. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we would like to share this free helmet liner pattern. There are many fine organizations that take donations of these liners and send them to the troops. Ask at your local yarn shop or church to find one in your area.
The ideal liner would be made from a soft 100% wool as synthetic fibers can not be warn by Marines in combat zones. The perfect yarn for this is Galway and the preferred colors are 9 (Black), 152, (Brown), 155 (Dark Tan), 751 (Grey), or 704 (Charcoal).
GALWAY WORSTED
Helmet Liner and Matching Cowl
Size: Hat is sized to fit an adult head.
Finished Measurements: 22” around
Materials: (1) 100g ball Galway Worsted for Hat or Cowl.
One ball will make 2 hats. 1 ball will make 1 cowl
Only cowls & helmet liners made from 100% wool will be accepted. Acrylic yarn melts at high temperature and is unacceptable for this project.
Color must be appropriate to the military: tan, brown, gray, olive, or black.
Size US 8 -16” circular needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Size US 8 double pointed needles for top of hat.
1 stitch marker
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” in St st
HAT:
With circular needle, loosely cast on 90 sts. Being careful not to twist, place marker and join.
Rnd 1-5: K1, P1 rib around.
Continue St st until piece measures 5” above ribbing.
Shape Top
Change to double pointed needles when necessary.
Rnd 1: *(Knit 8, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Photo by Penelope Taylor
All even Rnds 2-8: Knit.
Rnd 3: *(Knit 7, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 5: *(Knit 6, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 7: *(Knit 5, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 9: *(Knit 4, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 10: *(Knit 3, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 11: *(Knit 2, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 12: *(Knit 1, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 13: *(K2tog); repeat from * around.
FINISHING
Cut yarn leaving an 8” tail. Using a yarn needle, thread tail through remaining sts.
Pull tight and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Cowl: (NOT SHOWN) With the same circular needle loosely cast on 108 sts. Work in K2/p2 ribbing for 9”. Bind off loosely in ribbing. Weave in all ends.
©2010 Plymouth Yarn Company.
All rights reserved.
I do a lot of knitting for our troops. I started doing this during the”80s” & “90s” when my son was in the Army. I now do it for a group I volunteer with called Operation Troop Support (www.operationtroopsupport.org). Please remind knitters that all items knitted for the troops must be made with wool yarn! If acrylic yarn is used and catches fire it will melt into the skin and cause serious problems over and above the burns and injuries they receive. If knitters would like to donate hats to our group please contact us at the above website.
Sue Bent
Board of Directors
Operation Troop Support