Note: I have been informed that helmetliners are no longer being accepted by CSAM because the standard issue liner has been improved. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still give a helmetliner to your favorite member of the military, or someone you love who spends time in the cold outdoors.

This helmet liner pattern is based on the several patterns that are available for knitting these invaluable items for our troops. Versions designed by others for knit or crochet can be found at http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/ where you will also find instructions for mailing in your donations. Note Geocities is now closed.

The existing patterns are fine patterns, but I have made a few changes which I believe improve the fit and function. And though they look fiddly-er, I actually find this pattern easier to knit. I don’t have to constantly check where I am placing my decreases or struggle to make them symmetrical. The earlier patterns give instructions to decrease either vaguely (4 locations around the face) or specifically in ways that make it hard to have a coherent design; i.e. specifying decreases at the 2:00, 4:00, 8:00 and 10:00 positions, but you end up with purls at 2 and 8 and knits at 4 and 10. What’s an obsessive compulsive knitter to do?

Rewrite the pattern, of course!

Here it is, with a neck stand of sorts added and gussets added off the sides of the neckstand to allow for a nice panel of decreases on the sides of the face opening and a smooth fit.

12/13/08 Small correction made to pattern. Where it says “as for row 2” in gusset instructions, it should read “as for row 3”. The pdf has been updated.

1/16/09 Operation Helmetliners has joined Citizen SAM. Pattern has been updated with the new address to which we should send donations.
Citizen S.A.M.
P.O. Box 10565
Peoria, IL 61602

http://www.citizensam.org