Many Thanks to the members of Hugs4Hope

I can't even begin to describe what a thrill it is for me when I receive a box of donations for Marine Corps Kids. I'm always delighted by the beautiful things that are sent and by all the talent from our donors.

Today I received a large box of things that were donated by the members of Hugs4Hope. Hugs4Hope is a Yahoo Group whose members craft and donate items for babies.

As I unpacked the box I was just amazed by the wonderful things that were sent. Incredible hats, sweaters, blankets, booties, full outfits and scrunchies that were beautifully sewn, knit and crocheted. Everything was made with incredibly soft yarns, and you can see that love was worked into every stitch.

The photos in this post show just a few of the items that were sent. Please click on the link to our photo album to see all the amazing items that were sent by:

Nancy in TN
Kay in IL
Kelly in NY
Dana in MN
Nancy in NC
and
Annette in PA

A few of the items did not include donation cards, so if there may be some additional donors. Thank you all for your generosity! Your work is absolutely beautiful! I'll be sending everything that you sent for our new Marine Corps Kids soon. The mom's so appreciate your gifts. A million thanks for all you do!

Gifts for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and with it the unofficial kick-off of the “Holiday Season”. Everyone wants to be home for the holidays, but for thousands of our service men and women, that just isn’t possible. For the families of our deployed troops, the holidays can be a very bittersweet time. The joy of the season is tempered by the absence of loved ones who can’t share in festivities.


During this time of the year, we’re all focusing on our own families and celebrations, and our charitable crafting sometimes takes second place to our personal plans. All of you who have donated to Marine Corps Kids have proven that you have huge hearts and generous souls, and everything that you have sent, and continue to send, is very much appreciated.

I know that it is a lot to ask, but for those of you who can, please try and send a donation for our service members’ families. I would like to be able to send gifts for the holidays - not just for the newborns, but for everyone in the family. A blanket for the babies, a hand-made toy for older kids, a scarf for mom – anything you send will remind these families that they are in our hearts, and help to make their holidays bright. No donation is too small – ornaments, bookmarks, fridgies, hats – whatever you have the time and inclination to make will be appreciated.

No matter what holiday you celebrate, I wish you all the happiest of seasons and appreciate your generosity in helping our troops’ families to ring in a new year of love, hope and peace.

Veterans Day Thanks!

Today is Veterans Day, and a perfect time to thank all of our service men and women who are fighting for our freedoms. I don't have the words to express my own gratitude for what you do, but the sentiment is genuine and felt every day - not just on Veteran's Day.

I also want to send a special thanks to the families who are waiting for their loved ones to come home. You all pay a sacrifice that is so often overlooked. On Veterans Day, I hope that you know how much that sacrifice is appreciated, and that we hold you and your loved ones in our hearts. The gifts that Operation Marine Corps Kids sends is just a tiny gesture of our gratitude to you and your families.

Semper Fi.

Our Special Request Family is on their way home!

Many thanks to all of you who have sent donations for our Special Request Army Family.

We just got word from Dad in Afghanistan, that his wife and his five kids are finally going home to the army base in Germany. The kids' citizen paperwork is all in order, and they should be back on base in about two weeks.

I'm sure this move will be very tough on Grandma and Grandpa who have been loving their time with all the kids, and another overseas flight is sure to be difficult for the kids and mom. We hope to help by having a GREAT package of donations to send to them upon their arrival.

I'll be packing everything up a week or so, and getting it ready to mail to Germany. If anyone else is making something for this family, or would like to, please e-mail me at delia.mck.at.gmail.com and I'll be sure to hold the package until your donation arrives.

MCK Ribbed Cap

MCK Ribbed Cap

By Wormie

The following is an original copyrighted pattern. Please feel free to use it for charity or personal use. You may link to the pattern on this site, but please don’t post it elsewhere. If you do use and enjoy the pattern, please consider donating a completed cap to Marine Corps Kids. Thank you!

Uses small quantities of 2 colors of baby weight yarn (I used Bernat Softee) and a G (4.5 mm) hook.

Note: The ribbing in this hat is made with Front Post Double Crochet stitches. To form the crown of the hat, you will increase stitches in the first 5 rows. When increasing, you will do a DC in the same stitch as your FPDC. Starting in row 6 you no longer increase.

To start – with color A chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a loop.

1) chain 3 (counts as first DC here and throughout), 9 DC in loop (10 dc)

2) chain 3, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in SAME stitch*, repeat ** around ending with a FPDC, slip stitch to join (20 stitches– 10 each alternating DC and FPDC)

3) chain 3, dc in next stitch, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next stitch*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing to color B (30 stitches)

4) with color B, chain 3, dc in next two stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next 2 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color A (40 stitches)

5) with color A, chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, DC in same stitch, dc in next 3 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

You are done increasing now. Continue pattern without increasing – you no longer will do a DC in the same stitch as your FPDC

6) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

7) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color B (50 stitches)

8) with color B chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color A (50 stitches)

9) with color A chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

10) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join (50 stitches)

11) chain 3, dc in next three stitches, *FPDC in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with FPDC, slip stitch to join changing back to color B (50 stitches)

12) with color B, chain 3, FPDC in next stitch, dc in next stitch. Continue alternating FPDC and DC around the row to create a ribbed edging.