Christmas at Sea

Do you like to knit? Are you looking for a charity project?
Do we have an idea for you!

Members of The Mariners’ Museum staff are teaming up with the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) to create hats, scarves, and other items for the Institute’s Christmas at Sea Volunteer Knitting Program. Since the Spanish-American War in 1898, SCI volunteers have knitted, collected, packed, and distributed gifts to mariners who are far from home during the holidays. Each gift consists of a hand-knitted garment, a personal letter, and information on SCI’s services for mariners. SCI also sends along useful items like hand lotion, lip balm, and toothbrushes—things that are difficult to come by for those working long stretches on the water.

Knitting groups around the country connect with SCI in weekly knitting meetings at churches and at knitting-sponsored events. Through online sites like Ravelry and the CAS blog (blogs.seamenschurch.org), the Institute works with hundreds to make the program effective.

The historic name of this volunteer program, Christmas at Sea, only partially describes the work of the people who make holidays a little warmer for mariners. While gift distribution happens during winter months, collection and creation of items happens year round, and while many gifts go to international mariners working "at sea," thousands of gifts also go to mariners working on inland waterways here in the United States.

Want to help?

For the next several months, staff members will be knitting items to be sent to the Institute in late August. To get started, you can download a pattern at www.seamenschurch.org. Or visit the Museum and ask Trilby Cooney at the admissions desk or Marge Shelton at the business entrance for a pattern. Please be sure to adhere to the guidelines for color and type of yarn. You can drop off your finished item at the Museum at any time.

Like to knit with others? Call Marge at (757) 591-7707 to find out when and where the knitters are gathering!