Founded in 1834,

SCI is a voluntary,

ecumenical agency

af�liated with the

Episcopal Church that

provides pastoral care,

maritime education, and

legal advocacy services

for mariners.

The newsletter of the

Seamen’s Church Institute’s

Christmas at Sea Program

In this Issue

Winter 2018 VOLUMe 12 / nUMBer 1

The Seamen’s Church Institute

Christmas at Sea turns 120!Day after day, boxes upon boxes of knitted garments pile into the Christmas at Sea headquarters at SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, NJ. Year after year, we are witness to the kindness and generosity of people who take time to knit and crochet hats and scarves for others whom they don’t even know.All these days and years add up! In 2018, Christmas at Sea marks its 120th anniversary. We are privileged to celebrate such a wonderful milestone because of you, our valued volunteer knitter. You and your fellow stitchers have kept this program relevant, vital and growing for over a century. Whether it’s your first season or your twentieth, you are one of generations of knitters who have made their mark. When you think of how quickly things come and go in this day and age, there is a real beauty in such longevity.

It was a caring and generous spirit that sparked Christmas at Sea back in 1898, and keeps it going today. It is this same spirit that transcends borders, religious philosophies, and politics, bringing out the best in humankind and creating a sense of community even among strangers.

So often folks wonder how a knitting program can actually have an impact on something as large-scale as the shipping industry. Waterborne transportation continues to be the primary, most efficient way of moving goods around the globe, and it has seen huge technological changes over the years, from the introduction of containerization to advances in GPS and communications. It is an industry with long history, outsized machinery, and lots of hard edges.

However, even in such an environment, two things will never change: humans need contact with one another and

humans need warmth. Christmas at Sea demonstrates those two ageless tenets. Your effort, even if it is simply one handknit pair of socks accompanied by a little note, is as meaningful and important to Christmas at Sea and the seafarers we serve as is that container full of products to our economy.

Christmas at Sea is special for so many reasons…its continuity, its value to mariners, its simplicity. But first and foremost, it’s special because of you—knitters and crocheters working tirelessly with talent and creativity.

We thank you for a great 120 years of tradition and warmth. If you are interested in not only supporting mariners through knitting but also with a long-lasting legacy gift to SCI, please read more in the sidebar.

In this, our 120th year, we ask you for even more connection—we’d love to get to know you. Fill out our survey, or join our Facebook or Ravelry group. Call, email, or come to our retreat. It may be Christmas at Sea’s birthday, but you are most definitely our guests of honor!

2017 By numbers 2

Mariner thank Yous 2

History of Knitting 3

Stories of Stitching 4

Double-Knit Mariner’s Cap 5

tiny Hats released into the Wild 5

Get in touch! 6

We are proud to announce the launch of the 1898 Society, commemorating this 120th anniversary year for Christmas at Sea. This special society honors knitters who include SCI in their estate plans. If you choose to give a legacy gift to SCI, upon notification of inclusion in your estate plans, we will enroll you in the 1898 Society. Your name will feature in the SCI Annual Report, taking your place alongside all those who support SCI. And as an extra expression of our gratitude you will receive a commemorative Christmas at Sea ornament to treasure for years to come! For more information, or to enroll as a member of the 1898 Society, please contact cas@seamenschurch.org.

If you’re active on Ravelry, join the Christmas at Sea group (search for christmas-at-sea)

Need help? Turn to your knitting friends for support. Check out Christmas at Sea’s Facebook page to meet new ones.

Looking for a PDF of this newsletter that you can read on your iPad or email to a friend?

Paige Sato Program Manager, Christmas at Sea

Download a copy online. smschur.ch/knitb4xmas

smschur.ch/cas-youtube

the Knit Before Christmas Winter 2018 • 2 seamenschurch.org

Paige Sato Program Manager, Christmas at Sea

Come Meet Christmas at Sea!When we’re not in the throes of counting, collecting, packing, and playing Santa, Christmas at Sea is out and about! This year, we invite you to join in and meet up with us at any of our scheduled events:

Stitches West(Santa Clara, CA)February 22–25

TNNA (The National Needlearts Association, Cleveland, OH)June 15–17

General Convention 2018(Austin, TX)July 5–9

Christmas in July Retreat(Port Newark, NJ)Dates TBD

➠ Here’s your chance to visit Port Newark for a one-day

retreat. Enjoy two technique classes, the chance to meet the folks at North Light Fibers, a tour of the port and SCI facility, and fellowship (with good food) with other Christmas at Sea stitchers! To register your interest, email cas@seamenschurch.org or complete the form on p. 6 of this newsletter!

2017 By numbersChristmas at Sea had another great year in 2017—collecting 20,270 knits from 1,263 stitchers (and groups of stitchers)! Our top two groups were St. Ann’s of Old Lyme, CT and Christ Church Episcopal of Ridgewood, NJ, donating 422 and 303 knits respectively. This year we received knits from all 50 states. A majority of knitters hail from New England and the North East, but South Dakota and Wyoming both boast two knitters each! We also received items from a few Canadian provinces, and even some all the way from Italy. Magnifico!

thank Yous from MarinersDear Seamen’s Church Institute

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year.

Also thank you so much for the Christmas gifts the crew of our good vessel received during our stay in Port Newark from December 13th–15th, 2017.

The ship Columbine Maersk is a Danish-flagged container vessel with crew from Denmark, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Ukraine, England, and China. At the moment we are in the Mediterranean Sea heading to the Far East!

Thank you again and best regards Ingolf Zeuch Chief Engineer Columbine Maersk

From the crew of the tug Weddell Sea, thanks to all at SCI. The knitted caps and other items were a welcome treat! Best wishes for this holiday season.

Dear Chaplain Kempton Baldridge,

Thank you for the winter care package that you sent to our boat. I went downstairs into the deck locker and the whole crew was putting on the scarves you sent, just in time for the coldest day of the year thus far. We all appreciate the time and care put into those scarves. Also, please pass on a “Thank you” to Troop 54284 out of Western Pennsylvania for the Christmas cards. We’ll be thinking of them when we purchase our Girl Scout cookies in the upcoming year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the crew of the David L. Fields!

Sincerely, Captain Jeff Stoneking and Crew of the David L. Fields

Need…

Patterns?

Tags?

Ready to mail?

Christmas at Sea118 Export StreetPort Newark, NJ 07114Paige Sato, Program Manager973-589-5828cas@seamenschurch.org

Winter 2018 Volume 12 / Number 1Published by the Seamen’s Church Instituteseamenschurch.orgThe Rev. David M. Rider President & Executive Director

Editor, Naomi WalkerDesign & Production by BlissDesignThis newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

the Knit Before Christmas Winter 2018 • 3

A social history of knitting in the USWhile knitting for Christmas at Sea began in 1898, knitting for the common good has a history as long as that of our country. This timeline shows the intersections between knitting trends in the US, and the evolution of SCI’s Christmas at Sea program!

Pre-Revolutionary

War (pre-1775)The Daughters of Liberty were

known to hold spinning and sewing bees where local women would gather

to dye and spin their own yarn. By making their own fiber and

fabrics, they were less reliant on imported British goods that

were heavily taxed.

Civil War era (1861–1865)

Soldiers in both the Confederate and Union armies were issued machine-knit socks (this was a new technology),

however, the socks were so poorly-knit that many soldiers wrote home asking their mothers, sisters, and aunts for handknit

socks. Soon enough, individual towns were also advertising for

women to knit socks for the servicemen.

CHRISTMAS AT SEA

BEGINS!

1898Rev. Walter A. A.

Gardner, Chaplain of SCI’s North [Hudson] River Station, at the suggestion of his wife Mrs. E. A. Gardner begins an effort to send

“comfort bags” containing medical supplies, prayer books and sewing materials to seafarers during the

Spanish-American War. Christmas at Sea

is born!

1971SCI’s Christmas at Sea program continues to grow. A message

from a recipient on the USNS Rigel in 1971 typifies the letters SCI receives

every year from grateful seafarers.

“Thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the Christmas Box. I am cargo yeoman on this ship and sometimes have to work 10 to 16 hours

straight below decks in the cold storage lockers. It is 0 degrees down there so you can be sure I’ll

get plenty of usage for your hat and scarf. Hope to stop at your A+ establishment

the next time I’m in New York.”

1951SCI’s Knitter’s Guild

is formalized, consisting of knitting groups from

around the country working in coordination with SCI’s

central branch to knit and distribute items

to seafarers.

1914–1918As war spreads quickly

abroad, the Seamen’s Benefit Society organizes a volunteer

system to collect and distribute knit items for seafarers

caught up in the conflict.

1900The Seamen’s

Benefit is formed at the suggestion of Mrs. Gardner,

led by Augusta Morris de Peyster. Composed entirely of women, the Society dedicates itself to assisting seafarers in any way it can, from organizing musical and dramatic

entertainment to sending flowers to seafarers in

the hospital.

World War II (1939–1945)

Maybe you already knew that at one time Franklin Delano Roosevelt

was Vice President of SCI’s Board of Trustees? Less well known is that Eleanor Roosevelt founded a Knit

for Defense organization that encouraged knitters of all ages

to knit warm items for US servicemen.

Mid-CenturyAfter the war, the number

of hand knitters was bound to decline, however, the popularity

of argyle patterned vests and socks kept many diehard crafters busy. Moreover, the increasing automation of home appliances

gave many women more time to indulge in their

hobbies.

World War I (1914–1918)

President Woodrow Wilson kept sheep on the White House lawn

in support of US troops! The sheep saved manpower by munching on

the lawn (in place of mowing), and an auction of the wool

netted over $52,000 for the Red Cross.

1939–1945SCI’s Women’s Council heads a massive national

volunteer effort to distribute knit items and comfort bags to seafarers at war. In 1943, 15,987

woolen garments are donated and distributed overseas. In 1945, SCI

distributes 8,108 Christmas boxes to seafarers.

1921SCI forms the Women’s

Council, led by Mrs. Samuel Thorne, Jr. to focus on fundraising and cultural events for seafarers.

The Council centralizes a network of women’s volunteer groups

from churches around the New York metro area.

the Knit Before Christmas Winter 2018 • 4 seamenschurch.org

Stories of StitchingMarti Johnson lives in Sacramento, CA. She has been knitting since she was 5 years old, and started making items for Christmas at Sea 5 years ago. She spoke to us recently to tell us more about her story.

How did you first hear of SCI?About six years ago, I read an article in a knitting magazine about SCI’s Christmas at Sea program. It was the first time I’d even heard of the Seamen’s Church Institute. Then in 2013 I broke my hip, and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that same year. I had to spend lots of time sitting down, sometimes between 5–7 hours at a time for chemo and blood transfusion sessions. Most of the other patients would scroll their smart phones or sleep, but I decided to knit! I started knitting chemo caps, socks, and Christmas gifts, and then I moved to the seafarer scarves plus hats to match.

Having survived the cancer, I wanted to say “thank you” in the only way I could think of—I was grateful to be alive and this was my way of saying “thank you God, thank you doctors, thank you everyone who helped me”.

Why is knitting for Christmas at Sea so special?Mariners are doing what the rest of us could never do, and I’m more than willing to do what I can to make them comfortable. After surviving cancer, I felt that best way I could show my gratitude was to knit gifts for others who need some joy (and warmth!) in their lives.

Do you have any connections to the maritime?Not at all! Knitting for Christmas at Sea is the only thread connecting me to the maritime. Mariners are doing something so good for the rest of the world—and yes, it’s a job for them and they get paid—but it’s a hard way to earn a living and they’re doing it so we don’t have to. I love helping the mariners to reassure them that they’re not forgotten at Christmas or the rest of the year, and let them know that we truly appreciate all their hard work.

1997SCI opens a new maritime

training facility in Paduach, KY, focused on providing

educational coursework for inland river mariners. CaS expands

its program accordingly, distributing 7,552 knit items

to river mariners.

1971SCI’s Christmas at Sea program continues to grow. A message

from a recipient on the USNS Rigel in 1971 typifies the letters SCI receives

every year from grateful seafarers.

“Thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the Christmas Box. I am cargo yeoman on this ship and sometimes have to work 10 to 16 hours

straight below decks in the cold storage lockers. It is 0 degrees down there so you can be sure I’ll

get plenty of usage for your hat and scarf. Hope to stop at your A+ establishment

the next time I’m in New York.”

Late 20th Century/Early 21st

CenturyKnitting enjoyed a resurgence toward

the end of the 20th and in the early 21st Century. The rise of social networking brings

far-flung practitioners together, allowing knitters and stitchers from across the globe to connect and share patterns. Christmas

at Sea takes advantage of these new technologies to stay in touch with our

stitchers through its Facebook and Ravelry groups.

Mid-CenturyAfter the war, the number

of hand knitters was bound to decline, however, the popularity

of argyle patterned vests and socks kept many diehard crafters busy. Moreover, the increasing automation of home appliances

gave many women more time to indulge in their

hobbies.

2012The Christmas at Sea

program perseveres through the damage caused by

Superstorm Sandy to collect and distribute over 20,000 knit items.

the Knit Before Christmas Winter 2018 • 5 seamenschurch.org

Tiny Hats To Be Released Into The Wild!

Throughout our anniversary year, we want to continue raising awareness of Christmas at Sea. So we’re asking for volunteers to release one of our tiny watchcaps “into the wild”. All you need to do is contact us to ask for a hat, wait for it to be sent out to you, and then place it somewhere public where it can be found, photographed and marveled over!

Post photos and follow tiny hat adventures on Twitter @seamenschurch and Instagram @christmasatsea – look for hashtags #WatchThisCap #TinyHatsOnTour #SCINYNJ

Get in touch if you want to be involved—we’re hoping for 10 volunteers per month!

Double-Knit Mariner’s CapABOUT THIS PATTERN: A fully-reversible hat that’s doubly warm!

MATERIALS: 2 skeins worsted weight yarn in 2 complementary colors. 100g each. 16" US 7 circular needle

GAUGE: 4.25st=1"

Using the invisible cast on (see tutorial video—link above), cast on 75 pairs (150 stitches total) with a 16" US 7 circular needle.

With both yarns in back, knit the main color (the color that shows on the outside), bring both yarns to the front, purl the contrast color (the color showing on the inside). Place marker at the end of the round.

Continue in this fashion for 9 rounds.

First stripe:Round 1: With both yarns in back, knit with the contrast color. Bring both yarns

to the front, purl with the main color (you are reversing the colors). Repeat to the end of the round.Round 2–3: Continue in this fashion for

two more rounds.Next round: With both yarns in back, knit with the main color. Bring both yarns to the front, purl with the contrast color (reversing the color pattern again). Repeat to

the end of the round. Slip marker. Work 5 more rounds.

Repeat stripe sequence (3 rounds of contrast color and 6 rounds of main color) two more times (see tutorial video for clarification.)

Work as established after 3rd stripe until the hat measures 5" from the cast on.

Decrease for the crown: (see tutorial video)

Set up round: knit 15 pair of stitches, place marker* repeat from * four times.

Double decrease Round 1: knit 12 pair of stitches. Three pair remain before the marker. Slip next five stitches from left needle to right. Re-order the stitches so all 3 contrast color stitches (inside color) are on the left needle, and the 3 main color (outside color) stitches are on the right needle. Slip the 3 main color stitches back to the left needle. Your left needle now has 3 main color stitches followed by 3 contrast color stitches.

With the 3 main color stitches, slip the first stitch on the left needle knitwise. K2tog the next two stitches. Pass the slipped stitch over—2 main color stitches decreased.

With the remaining 3 contrast color stitches, slip the first stitch purlwise. Slip the next two stitches knitwise from the left to the right needle. Place those two stitches back on the left needle, and P2tog tbl (purl two together through the back loop). Pass slipped stitch over.

Slip marker.

Next round: knit the main color stitches, purl the contrast color stitches.

Repeat these two rounds until five pair (10 stitches) remain on the needle. You will need to switch to double-pointed needles when the circumference of the hat becomes too small for the circular needle.

With a tapestry needle, cinch the contrast color stitches closed. Do the same for the main color stitches. Weave in the tail between the two layers of the hat.

You now have a reversible hat!

To find the tutorial for our new hat pattern plus more instructional videos, just

type smschur.ch/cas-youtube into your browser or search for “seamenschurch christmas at sea youtube playlist” and

you’ll find our treasure-trove of tutorials: each new video will be flagged on our

Facebook page as it is posted! Also featured: our “Anchors Aweigh” cap, the

Seafarer Stripey Crew Sock, the 1898 hat, and a “Tiny Hat How-To”.

SCI The Seamen’s Church Institute118 Export StreetPort Newark, NJ 07114

seamenschurch.org

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #99

NEW HAVEN, CT

C H R I S T M A S A T S E A

the Knit Before Christmas Winter 2018 • 6 seamenschurch.org

✁

Get in Touch!Whether it’s restocking on tags, sending in knits, or just letting us know more about YOU, please use the form below to contact us!For this year only, we have a new tag commemorating 120 years of Christmas at Sea! You can still use any of our standard tags, but if you would like the special anniversary edition fill in your details below. It can be used with ANY Christmas at Sea project.

Here at Christmas at Sea we try to acknowledge every single package that comes to us, but sometimes packages get really beat up in the mail, and the return name/address are rendered illegible. Here’s a simple way to make sure we know exactly who you are:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

EMAIL

I am sending on behalf of a group. Yes NoGROUP NAME:

GROUP ADDRESS

GROUP CITY STATE ZIP

Please send me 120th Anniversary tags.

In our anniversary year, we’d love to find out more about our knitters!Feel free to enclose more notepaper, or email your story to cas@seamenschurch.org. We’d love you to send a photo too!

How long have you been knitting for Christmas at Sea?

Who taught you to knit?

What project are you most proud of?

What’s your favorite Christmas at Sea project?

What has been your biggest knitting flop?!

Do you have a maritime connection? Yes No

This package includes (please enter amounts):

Hats Scarves Vests

Cowl Dittybags Slippers

Socks Toiletries (no need to count)

Are you interested in attending the Christmas in July Knitting

Retreat at Port Newark, July 2018? Yes No