Hats for Survival

Every winter, we see cold and hungry homeless people that we try to serve on our Midnight Runs.  During the winter, our goal is not only to serve them food, but to give them warmth as well.  And the warmth that comes to our hearts as we distribute a hand-made gift to someone without a home is a precious thing.

Below are instructions for making simple hats by knitting, crocheting or sewing.  Consider making them throughout the year - we will keep them until they are needed.  For more information, contact Cynthia Reynolds, LittleDiva@aol.com.

Hats for Survival Patterns

(Please use 100% wool yarn – wool is the warmest fiber and stays warm when wet)

CROCHET:

J hook- 4 Ply Yarn

Chain 35, ch 1 turn

single crochet 35 across row,chain 1 turn,

(crochet in back of stitch only)

repeat until piece is 21 inches long.

Fold and slip stitch up seam.

Gather top of hat and run yarn through- pull tight.

KNIT WITH STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

(knit flat and then a seam is sewn up the back)

With worsted weight wool, and a pair of #7 or #8 needles, cast on: 92, (96, 100) sts

Row 1: *K2, p2* repeating across

Repeat Row 1 until hat measures 7".

Decrease top as follows:

Decrease 1: *k2, p2tog* repeating across

Work 1 more inch in *k2, p1* ribbing as established

(every other row will be *k1, p2* and end after one such row is finished)

Decrease 2: *k2tog, p1* repeating across

Work 1 more inch in *k1, p1* ribbing as established

Decrease 3: *k2tog across*

Decrease 4: *k2tog across*

Cut yarn and leave 24". Thread darning needle with end yarn, and run

yarn through live sts and pull tight. Continue to sew up seam with same

yarn. Darn in end.

(Thanks to the website for these free patterns.)

HAND OR MACHINE SEWN HAT:

Take a piece of polar fleece or other warm knit material and cut it (preferably with pinking shears) to the dimensions of 24 inches by 12 inches, making sure that the stretchy direction goes the 24 inch length so it can be pulled over the head.

Fold the fabric in half with the right sides together and sew along the 12 inch seam opposite the folded end. You now have a tube that is open at the top and bottom.

Starting at about 2 inches down from the top corner sew a domed arch to make the top of the hat and cut off the triangles at the corners.

Turn the hat right side out and roll up the bottom a couple of times.

(Thanks to Annie Patton for this pattern.)

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