Keeping the Troops COOL with Cool-Ties in 2018

IT’S GETTING HOT…and yes, we’re still accepting cool-ties in 2017!

No doubt about it: It’s already heating up again in  Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Africa — and in other places where our troops are hard at work!

Although we encourage year-round knitting of winter scarves and hats, those items won’t be sent to our troops until this Fall. Right now our focus is on trying to help keep service members cooler as the triple-digit temps begin to hit. We would like to put a “cool-tie” into every care package, and yes — we’d love your help with this on-going program.

WHAT IS A COOL-TIE? So glad you asked! Sometimes they are called bandana cool-ties because they are made out of similar material and are meant to be tied around the neck much like a bandana might be…They are filled with water-absorbent polymers and work on the principal of evaporative cooling.  And unlike the water bottle used in the photo at right, cool-ties are a hands-free way to bring down your body temperature.

WHAT DOES A COOL-TIE LOOK LIKE? If you’re not familiar with what cool-ties are, visit this website to see lots of different photos. (We’re not suggesting you purchase the cool-ties that are sold at that site — but we are hoping you’ll help us by making some!)

COOL-TIE DIRECTIONS This can be a fun and worthwhile project for groups to do together — the work goes much faster with a team or a partner. We have directions you can print out here: Beat the Heat! Make a Cool-Tie!

You will find your own rhythm and best methods, but here are alternative directions you can try, plus some basic info and important tips:

• Cut strips of fabric about 6 1/2 inches wide, with the length measurement being the width from selvage to selvage. Please use tan, brown, desert camouflage or other neutral-colored cotton. No American flag fabric please.
• Sew a small width end, then turn 90 degrees and sew along the whole length side (1/4 inch margin), leaving the last short width end open.
• Turn it inside out and iron the creases.
• Sew (about 13 inches) up from the closed end, across the thin width.
• Add in the crystals. IMPORTANT: Be sure the crystals slide all the way down to the seam.
• Sew across the thin width again to make a pocket for the crystals.
• Close the final open thin width end, by tucking in the edges and sewing across.

For more information and to order polymer beads, here is one website you can check out: Watersorb Polymers

QUESTIONS? Email Info@OperationGratitude.com

We accept cool-ties year-round. Find important shipping information and tips here: Operation Gratitude Shipping & Donation Info

…THANKS for helping keep the troops COOL!

Not sure you want to make cool-ties, but want to help in other ways? Check out our website for more ways you can express your thanks!

As always, THANK YOU so very much for your support!

(Thanks again to Scarves for Troops project coordinator, Elaine Campbell, for all her help with these craft projects to support deployed service members! This is the third and final of Elaine’s guest posts on our blog.)