Why the Forget-Me-Not Hat Campaign?

  • Because we cannot forget that every child deserves a loving family to call their own.
  • Because we cannot forget the 19,000 children currently in our state’s foster care system.
  • Because we cannot forget that adoption is not the end of the journey. Families need continuing support.

Because, for those children who return to their parent’s care, they and their families also need our support.

What’s a Forget-Me-Not Hat and Why Wear One?

A Forget-Me-Not Hat is a handmade blue hat created to remember children in foster care and those who have been adopted. Launching in time for National Adoption Awareness Month in November 2018 and continuing through the end of National Foster Care Month in May 2019, our goal is to raise awareness about the needs of foster and adoptive youth and families. The hats will be distributed to children and families at the beginning of the 2019 fall season.

Our goal is to send a message to children and families to let them know they are not forgotten.

While the hats will provide physical warmth for children, we also help it gives them an emotional boost because they are made by a community that cares about them and their situation. In addition, we hope that people publicly wearing their Forget-Me-Not Hats during the winter will help bring awareness to the ever-growing need for foster parents and facilitate discussions that challenge the negative stereotypes and bias surround so many of the children, parents and professionals that are part of the foster care system and the adoption world.

Join the Forget-Me-Not Blue Hat Campaign!

Make a hat! Give a hat! Wear your hat! Share a hat!

Inspired by a similar pink hat project, the Coalition invites knitters, crocheters and otherwise crafty people to help make Blue Forget-Me-Not Hats. It’s easy to get involved. Just follow these easy steps!

Pick a Forget-Me-Not Hat Pattern!

We have three versions of Forget-Me-Not Hat patterns to choose from. All are simple easy patterns that a first time knitter or crocheter can complete.  For those who have never tried knitting before, this is a great video for a first time knitter  while this video shows the basics instructions to knit in the round (circular knitting or “magic loop”).   To learn to crochet, a basic how to video series can be accessed here. You are also welcome to use your favorite hat pattern if you prefer! 

To access the patterns, click the hat below to download the PDF: 

 
Crochet Forget-me-not foster care hat Pattern and Instructions
   
Knitting Flat with Two Needles Forget-Me-Not Foster Care blue hat Pattern and Instructions:
Knitting in the Round Forget-me-Not- foster care blue hat  Pattern and Instructions:

 

 

 

 

Gather up your supplies and get making! 

Wear Your Forget-Me-Not Hat in Solidarity!

Go blue and wear your Forget-Me-Not Hat!  Tell the world why you are wearing a Forget-Me-Not Hat with a personal message. Share with family and friends  on your favorite social media sites to help spread awareness:

  • On Facebook:  Please share your Forget-Me-Not Hat selfie photo on the Campaign Event page. You can also invite your friends and family to take part by sharing the invitation to the campaign.  
  • On Twitter and Instagram: Post your selfie and share your message with the hashtag #forgetmenot.
  • Email us:  Send us a email with your Forget-me-Not hat Selfie and we’ll add it to the album!

Tell us why you are wearing a Forget-Me-Not Hat! Share with the world why it is important for us to remember children in foster care. Send a message of hope to a child who is still waiting for their family. 

Donate Hats to Children in Foster Care

Forget-Me-Not Hats can be mailed to the Coalition’s main office at 108 Main Street; Suite 5, New Paltz, New York 12561. Creators can also write a note of encouragement that will be given to the children along with the Forget-Me-Not Hat.  Download the Forget-Me-Not Hat note cards here. We will distribute the donated hats throughout the state. 

Get Even More Involved!

Do you belong to a knitting  or crocheting group or club? Are you part of an organization that works with foster,adoptive and kinship families? We welcome other groups and organizations to join in. Please contact us at the Coalition!