Happy Leap Day!! My friends at the Seaman’s Church Institute are asking that knitters use today to knit a hat for a Mariner. They have quite a few patterns for you to choose from, and they all knit up pretty quickly — but the Oliver’s Cap and Cowl are particularly quick.
A few years ago I had the privilege of joining SCI, along with several mariners on a ship at the Port of Newark to help select a new hat pattern to add to SCI’s collection. The was the winner that day. I’ve got one on my needles that I plan to finish today.
Growing up in New Jersey, I have driven by the Port of Newark all my life. Like many of us, I’ve mostly taken the imported goods that we use in our daily lives for granted. But visiting the port, meeting the mariners, and having the opportunity to tour a ship made me see the port and the work mariners do in a whole new light. Mariners spend months at sea, away from family and friends, often working in harsh conditions. Driving by those large container ships will never be the same for me again.
A few of the photos I took that day follow. I hope you’ll decide to knit a hat for SCI today.
