Lewes library group knits beanies for troops

Local knitters are wielding needles and yarn to support American troops overseas.

Earlier this year, the Lewes Public Library started the Kids Learn to Knit group to teach young, aspiring knitters the craft. Since then, the group has taken on a specific project to knit wool helmet liners to send to military personnel abroad.

Lewes Public Library Children’s Librarian Jennifer Noonan said the group will knit as many military beanies as possible before Thursday, Dec. 20, when all beanies will be packed and shipped to Healdsburg Supporting Our Soldiers in California.

“Each year, Healdsburg SOS ships hundreds of care packages, which include the beanies, to military troops stationed overseas, a task the Healdsburg community has been involved in for over 65 years,” Noonan said.

Noonan said the Cape Region community can help the effort by donating their knitting expertise or needed supplies. Knitters may join the group, which meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., or they can pick up the beanie pattern at the library’s main circulation desk to knit at home.

Those who do not knit may donate money or supplies, Noonan said. The group needs 100 percent wool yarn in black, gray, brown, olive green and khaki.

“The 100 percent wool ensures the finished helmet liners will be fire retardant, and the colors are what’s acceptable as part of the military’s uniform,” Noonan said.

The group also needs 16-inch size 7 circular knitting needles and size 7 double-pointed needles. Noonan said cash donations will be accepted to purchase supplies and pay to ship the beanies to California.

Noonan said while the beanie project ends Dec. 20, the knitting program at Lewes library will continue year-round.

“This group started as a way to teach kids how to knit, but knitters of all ages and experiences are welcome,” she said. “The fact that we can take on this project to support American soldiers who are sacrificing so much is a wonderful bonus.”