Iron Craft #24- Something for him

Once again I have been done in this week and have not completed my project. These 2 weeks of the year are the busiest for me at work. I normally work part-time except for the past 2 weeks....3 day camps, 100 staff and hundreds of swimming lessons did me in- everything started this week and things should level off- I HOPE!!!

Thing 1 has a really cool project in the works for his dad but since dad reads this we are not putting the pictures here before dad sees it. I promise to show it once he sees it when he is back in the US in July.

At least Grandma keep up our end of the bargain this week.

Mom decided to do a new "Cool Scarf" for Grandpa.

She and a friend had made about 500 of these for our troops in Afghanistan as a part of Treats for Troops, and Grandpa said he wanted one. They are great for golfing, yard work, or just keeping cool on those hot days. The scarf uses polyacrylamide crystals. She found them at Lowe's in the garden center under the name "Soil Moist". These crystals absorb water and then slowly evaporate which produces a cooling effect when worn around the neck or forehead. They can be used over and over. She has sent the directions for anyone interested in making one.

Directions for making Cool Scarf

Important: Use only 100% cotton fabric (camouflage colors such as gray, tan or kaki for Troops-fabric with any polyester content will melt and could cause great harm)

Cut fabric strips 44 inches long by 4 inches wide. (I use a rotary cutter)

Fold fabric strip with right sides together length wise.

Sew down length (using a ½ inch seam allowance) until approximately 10 inches from end.
Leave a 2 inch opening in the seam and then continue sewing until you reach the end of the strip.

Sew the ends closed (using a ½ inch seam allowance).
Turn the tube right side out and press.



Measure 12 1/2 inches from the end without the opening. Sew across the short way and back stitch. This creates one tie end.

Place 1 level teaspoon (do not use more than this) of “polyacrylamide” crystals into the opening. (I use a tube with a funnel to make this task easier)



Sew across the end with the opening 12 ½ inches from the end. The opening will now be in the other tie end, creating a pocket of crystals in the middle.

Stitch the opening closed.

The finished scarf will have 3 sections: the two ends for tying and the middle will contain the crystals.

Directions for use: Soak the scarf in cool water for 15-20 minutes or until crystals turn to gel. The scarf will absorb 200 times its weight in water. Worn around the neck or as a headband, the cool scarf provides all-day relief from the heat through evaporation. Note: The scarf can be re-hydrated many times for continued use.


Important Note: Due to the nature of the crystals attracting any moisture, I package them in snack size zip-lock bags.