Frequently Asked Questions
General
How can I contact Caring Caps if I want to help?
You can fill out at Volunteer Request form (linked on the “Get Involved” page) or email us at: caring caps@yahoo.com.
What is the volunteer application process?
To become a volunteer, we ask that you fill out out "Volunteer Application" located on the “Get Involved” page. We also require an orientation meeting with you to discuss how you can submit hats and receive yarn if necessary. After that, we will continue to contact you and give you opportunities to give us your hats! If you don't live on the space coast of Florida, we can still assist you in receiving resources by phone or webcam. Don't let 1000 miles stop you from helping us!!!
How was the organization started?
Natalie Barton, our founder, had been knitting hats originally designated for newborns in the NICU for about 2 years. When the earthquake occured in Haiti, she knew that they would go to a better cause if they were sent to Haiti. The rest is history!
How can I donate money?
To donate through Caring Caps, you can send us a check through the mail to our address of 985 Peachland Ave NE, Palm Bay FL 32907. We will soon be enabling a PayPal account on our website so that you can donate through that.
See, when a baby is born, they are born into a cold environment. In the mother's womb, it is quite warm and moist. The baby hats helps the baby to transition between environments. A lot of heat is lost through the babies head because of their age. From newborn to 6 months, babies are not able to efficiently regulate body temperature. Baby hats are also a great sleepwear item and for times when it is windy, rainy, or slightly cool. Babies that are healthy can stop wearing hats after they get home from the hospital unless the conditions mentioned above are prominent. Newborns that are premature or have health issues should wear hats longer. Because Haitian babies are not in the most healthy environment, they should wear them longer.
Can I start a Caring Caps in my area?
Of course! We have just started developing our project, Adding Stitches, which allows you to start a chapter of Caring Caps in your area. Here's how it works: you contact us (through the "Contact Us" page of via email-caringcaps@yahoo.com) and we'll send you all the supplies necessary to start. We'll send you some yarn, forms, information, and helpful tips on running a chapter of Caring Caps. Don't Delay! Start your own Caring Caps today!
About Hats
Why would Haiti need hats? Isn't it hot there?
Yes, the average temperature varies from 70-80. However, they receive great amounts of rain in some areas, and it gets down to the 60s in the evening. But even in Haiti, newborns lose 60% of their body heat through their head, so a hat helps to maintain body temperature. If you would like some more information, check out this article on this topic. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5712146_do-babies-wear-little-hats_.html
At about what age are your hats designed for?
Our hats are made with a great yarn that is pretty flexible, so many ages can wear them. We suggest about from the age of a newborn to about 10 months. Now every baby is different, especially baby Haitians, because of the poverty and the malnutrition. Some babies are even able to wear them after they turn 1!
How do you make your hats?
The hats are knitted, but not using needles. Each hat is knitted on a loom, a circular device with many small pegs. There is no need to patch together the brim to the hat, it is easily made in one piece, with the exception of the pom-pom of course. It takes less than 1 hour to knit on hat. The loom and yarn are very portable, so they can be made virtually anywhere. And yes, you can take them on planes. Scissors are also allowed on planes, as long as the blade is 3 inches or less. Some hats are also crocheted, or knitted on circular needles, depending o your level of talent when you join us.
What type of yarn do you make your hats with?
There are 3 different brands we use. The first is my favorite, and it is called JoAnn’s Sensations Rainbow Classic. It comes with 614 yards, so many hats can be made with one skein. It is available at JoAnn’s for $9.99. The second yarn is called Caron Simply Soft. This one only contain 315 yards and is available for about $3.00 at Michael’s or JoAnn’s. The 3rd is called Bernat Softee Baby, which contains 395 yards and is available for about $4.00. This one you can also find at multiple craft stores.
How long does it take to make a hat?
On average, it takes about 1 hour to knit the hat. That being said, the time it takes to wind the yarn for the hat, knit the hat, and add a pom-pom to it is about 2 hours.
Knitting
What should I do if one of the pegs on my loom falls off?
If you ever have peg fall off, simply snap t back into place. Then, when you finish your project on the loom, return the loom to Natalie and notify her that a peg is loose. If the peg continues to fall out, takes matters into your own hands. Take the peg out, and put a drop of Super Glue in the hole where the peg goes and also on the bottom of the peg. Then place it back on the loom. Make sure that the groove on the peg is facing the outside of the loom.
If I don't know how to knit can I still join?
Always! We actually taught 85% of the knitters involved with us how to knit. It's pretty simple to learn, and most people pick it up quickly. Want to learn now? Check out the video we made on YouTube and learn to how to knit! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFsrakfXTk. Already know how to knit/crochet? That works too!
985 Peachland Ave NE, Palm Bay, FL | (321)505-6353 | caringcaps@yahoo.com
