Today is Veterans Day, and I want to take a moment to simply say thank you. Thank you to every man and woman who has served our country, and to the families who served right alongside them through the long deployments, the moves and the missed holidays.
This day is personal for our family. My grandfather and my uncle both served, and though they’ve since passed, I think of them every Veterans Day. We’re also blessed with dear family friends who have served, and our son is serving right now. So when I say thank you today, I mean it with my whole heart, and I’m saying it to the families too. I know firsthand what it’s like to love someone who serves.
A Handmade Thank-You
For more than 22 years, I’ve watched crocheters turn yarn into comfort. A handmade lapghan or hat is a small thing, but for a veteran in a hospital, a care home or a long-term care center, it says something big: someone took the time to make this for you.
If you’d like to give back with your hook, here are a few ideas:
- Lapghans are a perfect size for veterans in wheelchairs or recovering in a hospital bed. They’re warm without being heavy and easy to keep tucked in.
- Hats and scarves are always welcome as the weather turns cold, especially for veterans’ shelters and outreach programs.
- Neutral, washable yarn is the best choice. Soft acrylic holds up well in the wash, and navy, gray, tan and deep green suit almost anyone.
Before you donate: call your local VA medical center’s Voluntary Service office, or the veterans’ organization you have in mind, and ask what they need right now. Needs change, and some places have rules about sizes, fibers or how items are packaged.
A Free-to-Read Lapghan Pattern to Get You Started
My Warm Whispers Lapghan is a free to read pattern with simple, relaxing stitches that are easy to memorize, so it’s a wonderful project to work on in the evenings or with a group. I designed it with charity in mind, and veterans’ hospitals are one of the places it’s perfect for.
👉 Read the Warm Whispers Lapghan pattern free on the blog
Made to Give
Many of my patterns are made to give. Through my charity, Crafting A Rainbow of Hope, crocheters make hats, lapghans and comfort items for people who need a little extra love, hope and warmth. If you make something for a veteran this year, I’d love to hear about it.
Your Turn
Is there a veteran you’re thinking of today? Share their name in the comments so we can honor them together. 💙
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