Cinnaminn's Crafts: Cool Ties Info and Links

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Craft Groups to Support Our Troops:
This is a list of some of the groups that make different items to send to our troops.

The Ships Project: http://www.theshipsproject.com/
The group's online home page, and message archives can be found here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShipSupport/

The Hugs Project: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheHugsProject/

Operation Warm the Troops: http://www.friendshipcorners.com/

Operation Helping Hand: http://www.operationhelpinghand-americanangels.com/

Operation Helmetliner: http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/index.html
Has free knitting, crocheting, & sewing patterns available for making items (such as helmet liners, neck coolers, scarf, neck gator) for our troops. Patterns are available to download in WORD or .PDF file format. Note: Helmet Liners should be made of a soft 100% wool yarn that is medium weight (US 7-8 needles/size K hook). The colors should be appropriate to the military: tan, brown, gray, olive or black. You can find the pattern for a crocheted helmet liner here through the courtesy of Skein Lane Studio in El Cerrito, CA. (FYI - Some of our troops call the helmet liners "Wooly Pulleys.")

Knit Your Bit Campaign: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/for-general-public/knit-your-bit.html
"You can help the Museum honor WWII veterans by Knitting Your Bit - in this case a simple, but cozy, scarf to be donated to a veteran in a Veterans Center somewhere in the United States." Free knitting & crocheting patterns are available in .pdf file format at the web site.

Sites and/or Patterns for Cool Ties:
I think most of the patterns you will find at these sites are basically the same but the amount of crystals to be used varies. According to the Watersorb site, "you can use 1-3 tsp for each cool tie/cooler. If too many polymer granules are used in the tube, the polymer will ooze through the fabric tube. Each pound of polymer has about 115 tsp. Two teaspoons is all that is needed."
The Ships Project: http://www.p2designs.com/ShipCooler.htm

Watersorb: http://www.watersorb.com/polymer_cool_neck_bands.htm
Be sure to read the tips towards the bottom of the page at this site.

Organizedhome.com: http://seworganized.com/sewsimple/cooltie.html
This site also offers Cool Tie gift tags to print out.

From Operation COOL the Troops: Troop Cool Neck-Tie Pattern: http://www.friendshipcorners.com/coolnecktie.htm

From Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT): Neck Coolers Pattern: http://www.west-point.org/family/support-our-troops/neck_cooler_directions.html
The OSOT also offers a free printable insert in .pdf file format to print out for each neck cooler you make. They have 3 versions of neck coolers to make and also have directions to make a small drawstring storage bag. Be sure to read the .pdf file for other hints when making the neck coolers as well as specific instructions for making the coolers with a serger.

Getting/Ordering crystals:
I've read that you can find the polymer crystals/granules at any home or garden store. The polymer crystals/granules are used in soil for moisture retention. You can also try looking for "Magic Crystals" or "Moisture Plus." (You can find Schultz Moisture Plus at Wal-Mart in the gardening section.) Another brand name to look for is "Soil Moist." If you can't find the crystals locally, check out Soil Moist's web site for a list of links of where to purchase it.
Another thing to keep in mind when comparing different brands of crystals is that the Watersorb brand uses fewer crystals in making the neck coolers compared to the Schultz Moisture Plus brand. According to the hints from the OSOT, "Schultz Crystals take ¼-teaspoon per 4" pocket. Watersorb takes 1/8-teaspoon."

Hydrosource.com: http://www.hydrosource.com/prod01.htm
Cost as of 29 May 2006: 1 lb. box for $4.95. Cost of shipping is additional.

Watersorb: http://www.watersorb.com/mainstore.html
Cost as of 29 May 2006: 2 lbs. for $15.00 and s/h is included in the price for this, but, if you live outside the US, the price may be slightly higher.

Safety Note Concerning Polymer Crystals/Granules:
According to Ted Douglas, Watersorb/Polymers, Inc., polymer granules used to construct cool ties are non-toxic and meet EPA standards for potable drinking water. While non-toxic, dust from polymer granules may lead to irritation if inhaled. Mr. Douglas recommends wearing a dust mask while filling cool ties.

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