It didn't seem necessary to blog anything before this because the information is already out there on the blog. However, I, and thousands of others, received a group e-mail from anysoldier.com indicating that we should spread out the number of boxes we send off as well as the size. Why? When things go to an FOB, there is very little room to store pantry items or medicinal stuff. So, from what I could gather from that group e-mail, the best size box to send to an FOB particularly, is the large (which isn't really that large) 'anything that fits' box at the Post Office. Also, the suggestion was that boxes be spread out and sent all year long because the plethora of Christmas boxes can be over-whelming in certain hard to reach areas. So, in case you didn't get this information, I thought it best to pass it on. As always, check out anysoldier.com, which is a most wonderful website to get names of military personnel who would like boxes of goodies and supplies. The individuals will blog what they need and would most appreciate.
On another note, much to my surprise, I received an answer from one of this holiday season's recipients: a First Lieutenant. He was amazing in that he took the time and effort to write. He said that it warms the hearts of his men to receive even just cards! So, all that folks are doing does do a great deal of good for our military personnel.
My husband and I wish you all a wonderful and HEALTHY 2013! If you are reading this, you won't forget our military that stands watch for all of us - the 99% who are not on the line. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
Adria, Mama-Schu, General Mama and the Wool Warriors
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
THINGS TO MAIL OFF IN SEPTEMBER!
Spring and summer represent the time that my friends and I knit like crazy to prepare for September mail-off of boxes of both knitted items and goodies for soldiers we find on anysoldier.com The rules are the same: always use WOOL; always use CAMO COLORS - olive green, light brown or black - and knit balaklavas (helmet liners and connected neck warmers ) OR separate them and knit the neck warmers and the wool helmet liners (caps). We follow a pattern we found several years ago at MICHAEL'S CRAFTS; however, here are the simple instructions if you wish to just separate the two.
NECK WARMERS: cast on 96 stitches and use either a round needle or four needles knitting with the fifth. Just go around and around, KNIT TWO, PURL TWO until the neck warmer measures 9 inches.
CAP OR HELMET LINER: Once again, cast on 96 stitches. Use round needle (#9 or #10) or four double point needles, knitting with the fifth. KNIT 2 PURL 2 for THREE INCHES and then just go around and around in the garter stitch until the cap measures 4 inches. Then you may start to decrease beginning with knit 6 decrease 1 on the 7th stitch all the way around. ON THE NEXT ROW, DO NOT DECREASE; JUST KNIT. Then on the following row, decrease on the 6th stitch all the way around. Always do one solid knit row with no decreasing in-between the decrease rows. When you get to the last stitches, decrease two at a time, leaving no more than 9 stitches. At that point, pull the yarn through the remaining stitches and weave or darn it on the wrong side.
WHY SEPTEMBER? It takes at least a month for the boxes to arrive. Afghanistan and Iraq are blisteringly hot in the summer and spring months; freezing cold in the winters. So, the neck warmers and helmet liners are needed in the winters.
WHAT HAVE THE SOLDIERS REQUESTED LATELY? The always need baby wipes because showers are not always available. They want HOT SAUCE, DRIED FRUIT, BEEF JERKY, PEANUT BUTTER, INSTANT COFFEE, RAMEN, SOUPS THAT ONLY REQUIRE BOILING WATER; NON SCENTED HAND CREAM FOR THE COLD; CHAPSTICK; INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE. The dried fruit is important because they don't get a lot of fresh fruit in any season. Soldiers and Marines are also asking for school supplies to hand out to the local children: pencils, pens, paper, colored pencils, little school pencil sharpeners, etc.
Let's not forget 'our' kids! They are so appreciative. If you cannot send boxes of goodies, the knitted items are always appreciated. Also, the military personnel are so grateful for even cards, notes and caring drawings from children who have them in their prayers. There is always something we can do. REMEMBER TOO: THERE IS A DISCOUNT AT THE POST OFFICE FOR ANYTHING WITH AN APO ADDRESS!
Let's knit!
Sincerely,
General Mama and the Wool Warriors
NECK WARMERS: cast on 96 stitches and use either a round needle or four needles knitting with the fifth. Just go around and around, KNIT TWO, PURL TWO until the neck warmer measures 9 inches.
CAP OR HELMET LINER: Once again, cast on 96 stitches. Use round needle (#9 or #10) or four double point needles, knitting with the fifth. KNIT 2 PURL 2 for THREE INCHES and then just go around and around in the garter stitch until the cap measures 4 inches. Then you may start to decrease beginning with knit 6 decrease 1 on the 7th stitch all the way around. ON THE NEXT ROW, DO NOT DECREASE; JUST KNIT. Then on the following row, decrease on the 6th stitch all the way around. Always do one solid knit row with no decreasing in-between the decrease rows. When you get to the last stitches, decrease two at a time, leaving no more than 9 stitches. At that point, pull the yarn through the remaining stitches and weave or darn it on the wrong side.
WHY SEPTEMBER? It takes at least a month for the boxes to arrive. Afghanistan and Iraq are blisteringly hot in the summer and spring months; freezing cold in the winters. So, the neck warmers and helmet liners are needed in the winters.
WHAT HAVE THE SOLDIERS REQUESTED LATELY? The always need baby wipes because showers are not always available. They want HOT SAUCE, DRIED FRUIT, BEEF JERKY, PEANUT BUTTER, INSTANT COFFEE, RAMEN, SOUPS THAT ONLY REQUIRE BOILING WATER; NON SCENTED HAND CREAM FOR THE COLD; CHAPSTICK; INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE. The dried fruit is important because they don't get a lot of fresh fruit in any season. Soldiers and Marines are also asking for school supplies to hand out to the local children: pencils, pens, paper, colored pencils, little school pencil sharpeners, etc.
Let's not forget 'our' kids! They are so appreciative. If you cannot send boxes of goodies, the knitted items are always appreciated. Also, the military personnel are so grateful for even cards, notes and caring drawings from children who have them in their prayers. There is always something we can do. REMEMBER TOO: THERE IS A DISCOUNT AT THE POST OFFICE FOR ANYTHING WITH AN APO ADDRESS!
Let's knit!
Sincerely,
General Mama and the Wool Warriors
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