Charity Knitting: Seamen's Church Institute

If you have yarn, and if you have needles, and if you have patterns, and if you have time, you will be able to do a lot of good knitting for good causes.  One of my recent favorite charities is the Seamen's Church Institute.  It warms my own heart to make items for these men and women who serve on the seas.  My own brother was on the sea for several years which is why I became interested in the first place.

Here is a picture of a box of slippers (Nola's Slippers) and a hat (the 1898 hat) that I put in the mail today.  It makes me happy to serve in this way.  When I get my house in order I will have more time for knitting. I think.  I hope.  So many good causes.  So much yarn ready to go!

Three pairs of Nola's Slippers, one other pair of slippers, and one 1898 hat.

Knitting: Nola's Knitted Slippers

The floor can be cold in the winter.  I made a pair of slippers for use in the early morning here.  Shortly after making them I found the Christmas at Sea website which has wonderful knitting patterns.  I loved the Nola Slippers and thought I would give them a try.

These slippers are made holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together.  They are nice and thick.  I may need to put some anti-slip stuff on the bottoms, though.  At least if anyone is going to actually walk around in them.

You will notice that I was using up leftover yarn and had to switch to another skein towards the end of the second slipper....

I did make some adjustments to the pattern:  for example,  I did not make the cuff doubled and I used US size 10.5 circular needles to knit them.  You really do need the circular needles but the pattern calls for smaller needles.  Because of the large needles these are loose enough that even a size 13 foot can wear them.

Since these were successful, I will make some pairs to send to the mariners.  They really will be great to keep feet warm after being in or on the water.