How to make Cool Neck Ties for our Soldiers

This set of directions is originally from Military Pride News for making cooling neckties. Our troops will be having to do their job in 100+ degree temperatures during the summer and these are a great way to stay a little cooler. The info on how to make these was provided to me by Karen Stark of Oklahoma, as part of her "Hugs project." I just added the diagrams and simplified the wording. They called them "Chilly Willy's" but Karen loves the idea of calling them "HUGS". She'd love it if every American citizen in the Middle East could receive a "hug" from home this summer. So make some of these for your care packages or help out Karen, either way you'll be helping our troops beat the heat. One more thing,
Hugs can be gently heated by microwave or hot water and used as a reusable hand/pocket warmer this winter when it gets really cold in Iraq. How neat is that???’

(It has been suggested the soldiers would like the ties to be longer so they fit down their body inside their uniform.
You will need to adjust the suggested measurements shown here to accomplish this.)
A- For each tie - cut fabric 45" x 5". See note 1 for material ideas.
B- Fold in half lengthwise with right sides together (so it's really long and skinny) and sew a 1/2 inch seam all the way along the long edge (keep short edges open). You'll want a short stitch length (I set my machine at 2 so the crystals won't get out.
C- Turn fabric right side out. You can roll it like a tube sock. See note 2 for an idea on how to do this
D- Press (or iron) fabric with seam line centered and facing down on the back (like you would a dress tie...you don't want to see the seam.. plus it's easier to iron this way).
E- Mark fabric at midpoint.
F- Then from that point mark 10 inches on each side. This will give you 1 - 20" pocket.
G- Stitch across the tie to make the bottom of the pocket.
H- Fill with 2 tsp. watering crystals. See note 3 for how to get these crystals.
I- Sew the other end of the pocket.
J- Turn the open ends inside (like rolling a sock) and stitch for a neat/clean finish.
Note 1: Use 100% cotton fabric (camo, tan, sand colored, etc – bright colors might attract gunfire) with a tight weave so the crystals won't ooze out. Patterns are okay but make sure it's something that your husband or son would want to wear...lol. *Make sure it’s something that will feel good against the skin. You can make 24 ties from one twin sheet - 31 from a full size. Even white sheets are easily tea dyed. 200 and 180 thread count works great as well. 150 works okay, I haven't had any gel ooze out of those (yet) but they won't last as long. Before using, wash in hot water to remove sizing.
Note 2: A tip from the Hugs project: **With thanks to Kenneth Baker, one of our gentlemen sewing gurus** Even an 18" piece of 3/4" PVC will work. You will need to stitch closed one of the ends to use this method. You slip the tie over the pipe and then push it through with a 24" long piece of dowel rod.
Note 3: Make a sample one first and test it out to make sure you used the right amount of watering crystals (some products vary). This insures that it fits comfortably around the neck. Two sources for polymer crystals. Online at http://www.watersorb.com/mainstore.html and Schultz watering crystals available at Wal Mart in the gardening section near rose food. Watersorb figures out to be a bit cheaper (including postage and they ship right to your door - quickly).
Directions for use:
Soak in water for 15-20 minutes. Only soak 7-10 to use as headband. Warm water speeds hydration. Remove from water and pat dry so the polymer spreads out equally along the tube. Please remember, never squeeze tightly, the polymer will "ooze" out via the material if you do. Can be refrigerated. Hydrated polymer has the capacity to hold heat/cold 2.84 times longer than pure water. Tie "hug" around your neck (or head). When tie starts to dry out, soak in water again. When the tie warms up to body temp, submerge in cool water. Hand wash in mild dishwashing liquid then rinse clean.
Let them soak overnight in a large bowl of clean water to let the polymer purge the impurities from it. You can keep the ties fresher if you put about one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol into the hydration water. (Do not store in Ziploc bag until completely dry or it will mildew).








A KISS is a circular “beanie” which can be worn under a helmet. They serve as a type of cooling device and are often referred to as head coolers. Though our focus is to make these for our troops serving in desert environments, they can be used by anyone. These will also work under a ball cap if you cut them slightly smaller and use even less crystals, and if the ball cap has mesh for air circulation. They are great for farmers, lawn mowers or anyone who works out in the heat all day. Kisses can also be heated in wintertime and used as a reusable hand warmer.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING A KISS
1. Cut two 6 1/2—7” circles.
2. Seam around the edge using a 1/4” to 1/2” seam allowance, and leave an opening about 1 1/2” to 2” for
turning right side out. (You can also use a serger or tight zigzag and NOT turn them.)
3. Turn right side out, no ironing necessary.
4. Fill with a very scant 1/2 teaspoon of crystals.
5. Close by stitching on the outside to close opening, encasing a soak tag in the seam. Soak tag should read:
Soak in water for about 20 minutes then place in your helmet for a cooling effect.
6. Hydrate the first one and see if 1/2 teaspoon is too much or not enough. The KISS should puff up about
1/4” to 1/2”
7. Adjust amount of crystals if needed. Better too few crystals as too many will make it difficult to snap the
helmet strap closed.
Place finished KISS in a plastic bag, which can be used for hydrating and include this or other personalized KISS label.


Remember when you were a child
At night safe in your bed
When Mom would tuck you snugly in
Then kiss you on the head.
Well, here’s a little “kiss” for you
It seemed the perfect name
It’s safety that we wish for you
So now, we do the same.
Just soak this “kiss” in water
For 20 minutes or more
Then place it on your head
To cool you off for sure.



Marestare asked for the how-to on making these for our troops. I borrowed this tute from the Wilmington Quilt Guild because they publish it for use to help the troops.

God Bless you and each of our Troops!!
MimiSharon

PS sorry the drawings didn't transfer. I'm making more this afternoon so I will try to get pictures and upload them this evening.

Thanks for the tute. I will try to get some done, and tell my group about this.

Thanks!

I made these a few years back and sent them off to someone that was sending them to the troops, I forgot I still have a whole bag of the crystals left. My kids and husband like them too.

I will definitely make some!

Will definitely try to make some....these are also great for those of us with MS trying to deal with staying cool in the heat!

Mom's and Granmas, I have made the neck wraps for my GS and GD to wear when they are playing baseball and soccer during the "hot" season. Both said it helped a whole lot. During the baseball games, most dugouts have a ice cooler in the dugout, and my GS( the catcher) would keep one in the cooler while he wore the other.

Thanks for the tutes and the URL for getting the polymer crystals. These are not only wonderful things for our soldiers but as others have posted, they are great for Motorcyclists, sports and even trudging around any place that it is hot, like an amusement park, fair, or doing yardwork. I have bought them now it is nice to know how to make them.

Thank you...will get some out to you soon...

Big Hugs and Thanks for this great info.

Thanks for sharing this and helping us to be a part of providing comfort to our troops. :thumbup:

Thanks so much Mimi for this tute!!!!!! I will go through my stash and then get busy making some!!! :thumbup:

Mimi, this is a great tute. I really appreciate the link.

I'm a gardener and know about the plastic versions of stuff like vermiculite but didn't know there was a biodegradable version which could do the same thing but much more affordably. And, like the rice pack hotpads/coolers I've made and used in the past, these are biodegradable and usable and affordable!

I'm definitely adding these to my "to do" list.

Vickie, they work up fast unless you are making thousands.

:shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have been making the cool ties for many years as gifts to troops, neightbors, just anyone who looks like they could use one. They are very easy to make, thanks for posting the tut. I never thought about it. Figured everyone and his cousin probably knows about it already. I guess this means you are the smarter peson...lol. I like your idea about the "kiss".

The "kiss" makes the helmet bareable in the heat. Our guys and gals cook in that weather and all their gear.

Super
Thanks a lot! I bought one that I wear around my neck when I go on a long bike ride (cycling)I have such a hard time coping with hot weather and that is wonderful. Now, I'll try to make some WOW

Thanks!

Very cool! (pun intended)

Thanks for the info. will check it out

I can't thank you enough for these instructions. I've made the neck coolers before but didn't know how to do the ones for a helmet. Your suggestion to make the neck coolers longer makes so much sense. The cleaning and alcohol tips are appreciated as well.

Thank you great idea
Lyada :thumbup:

Could you please show pics of both of these? Your tute is great but I need to see pics.

Our local group made some of these for volunteers who are cleaning up after the recent tornadoes in MA. It's been HOT and these really help keep you cool!

I need pics, please.

Where do you send them for distribution to the troops?

Thank you very mcuh for the tutes, and thank you for your service to our service men and women, I know they appreciate your efforts.

Thank you for this info. :-D

thanks so much for this tut. I wish I had it a year ago when our son was over there. I did send him those hand warms you can buy. He said they helped alot on cold nights.

Thank you so much for these directions. I bought the crystals a long while back but haven't ever made these. Now I've got to give it a try. My Sunday dinner group brings things for a care package each month and this sounds like a perfect addition!

My Blue Star Mothers Chapter here is working with both the overseas troops and local troops. We have many Marines and Sailors, here in town, with Soldiers and Airmen just a couple of hours away.

I think many time the organizations change directions on things. I'm putting out there what our military leaders getting ready to take their personnel over 'there' want.

:D

This is such a great idea!! But I think I'm missing something. My mind tells me that the crystals would seep through the fabric and make a mess. You don't have to put the crystals in something like plastic or something water proof ??? Or do you just put them inside the fabric circle/tie and sew it shut, the end?

As the crystals absorb the water they turn to a gell like substance. Then as they dry they become hard crystals again.

OK, I made one for my doctor, this afternoon and took pictures.

Last of pictures

I found one photo of a person using a cool tie:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/...5b797c99ff.jpg

this is so cool.

thanks for the tut.

I have used one for years and no ooze. They will ooze if you squeeze them though. No plastic needed.

Thank you for this!! My boyfriends son (Army Ranger)is over there now and we are getting ready to send a box of supplies to his unit. I will sew some of these up and send along!

Also, my friend at work has a son who is driving a tank right now (Marine) and his unit has many soldiers who don't recieve packages from home. If anyone wants to sew these for his unit and send to me I will get them over. I know this is in the wrong section of the board but since were on the topic thought I'd ask.

here is what a "Kiss" looks like:

http://www.heavenlypatchwork.com/How%20to%20make%20a%20'kiss'.pdf

"the hugs project"

thanks for the great tutorial!

quilter friend in Oklahoma made a load of these a few years for my sons first deployment..
i like the tied ones!

Your quote brought tears to my eyes (and I am at work so I must get off the board) - I am glad your troop is home safe and thank you to him for his service!!