KasSnippets - June 2014
NEWS FLASH! Ronda was interviewed on Radio Veritas in South Africa on 20th June - click Ronda's Radio Broadcast to listen to her wonderful presentation on Knit-a-Square!
[Click the 'live streaming' button to listen from wherever you are in the world.]
REPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
A street scene from Finetown - these children are not lucky enough to go to a day care centre and roam the streets.
ALL IS NOT SO "FINE" IN FINETOWN...
In the middle of April we ventured into a new area to distribute blankets and were very excited as we set off to Finetown, an informal settlement south of Johannesburg! The Pastor who runs the Day Care Centre we were visiting met us on the side of the road to show us where to go and it was just as well because we would never have found the secluded little shack that houses the Emmanuel’s Day Care Centre.
No. 198 – Emmanuel’s Day Care Centre
The area was very quiet (we can normally hear the children laughing and playing when we arrive) and Phillip invited us inside. In a small room, blocked off by hanging pieces of fabric were around 25 very lethargic and sick little children – we were heart-broken to say the least. It was difficult to know whether the children were terrified by the sight of Wandi, Wendy and I (my snow white hair does sometimes scare them a little!) or just unwell and unable to show any interest.
We handed out your lovely colourful blankets and warm tops to this obviously sad group of little ones.
To read the full Report, also discussion comments :
Other recent reports :
Who Ever thought I would teach others to Sew!
KNIT-A-SQUARE SHOP - new item!
Blanket support for a Gogo - US $5
In South Africa, it is often the women of the community who help KAS to assemble squares into beautifully hand-sewn blankets for the children. To help support these women and their families in turn, we sometimes like to provide a small, per-blanket payment in appreciation.
By supporting these payments, you are supporting these women, their families, and their communities, all while helping to get more squares into blankets for kids.
Your generous donation to the KAS Operations Fund, representing a blanket payment for one of our volunteers, will help us to assemble blankets while also empowering women in local communities.
"KAS REACHES GREAT HEIGHTS FOR CHILDREN"
A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD !
This challenge is going to take us around the planet whilst reaching great heights & piles of squares - 178,000 to be precise, in order to reach the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town in South Africa!
We are going to need 50 squares for every foot climbed!
Since leaving South Africa's Bloukans Bridge last month, we've been to Switzerland to see the Contra Dam that was featured in the James Bond film - Goldeneye! The next was another dam this one was the amazing Hoover Dam in Arizona, and, staying the USA, we toppled the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco! After which we zipped up to the top of Mount Royal Park in Canada, then Canary Wharf in London. By the time KasSnippets goes to press, we will have done the Bahrain World Trade Centre and Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. Our latest target is Takakkaw Falls in British Columbia Canada at 41,150 squares
The Crowle Stone Challenge, North Lincolnshire, England
The ladies of Crowle have knitted over 1500 squares so 3 x the height of the Stone. They are now aiming for the top of the church tower!
The Crowle Stone is a unique carved runic stone - 2 metres high - dating from before 1000AD. Its origin is uncertain, part of a cross or greater memorial. In the past it was used as a lintel over the west door when the Danes built the church in 1150AD.
Here is the link to KAS Reaches Great Heights for Children
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We still have a surplus of hats and beanies - they are being sent by contributors who do not receive KasSnippets and therefore are not aware of our stockpile!
HOWEVER,
this month we are featuring two No-Sew Patterns!
Hand-Warmers for Knitters, and, a Go-Over for Crocheters
The No-Sew Hand-Warmers are just the thing for those
of us who dislike sewing up!
Using double pointed needles, the Hand Warmers are easily made in an evening.
The Hand Warmers seem quite narrow but remember they are designed with young children in mind. Without stretching, the Hand Warmers will fit a 3 year old. As the child grows and her hands get bigger, the Hand Warmers can still be worn as they will stretch to fit her hands.
Thank you Nicole (Australia) for the pattern.
Look for Variation 2 in the Hand-Warmers pattern.
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This wonderful design by Christine Chiplen (UK), is the pattern for those who would love to make a Go-Over to keep a child warm, but despair at the thought of sewing all those pieces together.
Christine made her first No Sew Go-Over by looking at the picture of the one in the KAS Pattern book because, as she says, she can’t follow a pattern. She is very talented to create from a photo ! Her Go-Overs are gorgeous. Here’s the link to her page where you can view her many Go-Overs that are now keeping children warm.
Another talented woman, Gloria Grandy (Canada), has taken Christine’s Go-Over and created the pattern for those of us who need a pattern. Thanks Gloria.
Ready to begin Christine’s No Sew Crochet Go-Over? Start at the bottom, work your way to the top, crochet the sleeves directly in, and when you reach the cuff, you're done! No sewing required.
Andrea Palmatier has written a KasBlog on
The Month of Younger Ones
On June 16, 1976, about 10,000 black school children marched the streets of Soweto, South Africa in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the inferior quality of their education and demanding the right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of children were shot down by security forces and more than a hundred people were killed during the following two weeks of protest, not to mention the countless number who were injured.
When I took all of these things into consideration, I immediately wanted to make a Hexagon Sweater for the June challenge. It’s a perfect way to honour the children of South Africa, I can work on it anywhere and it keeps the little ones warm during the darker winter months.
To read more of this lovely blog click on KasBlog
or you can find it anytime on the menu bar that goes across the Forum.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN SOUTH AFRICA?
67 BLANKETS FOR MADIBA
lead by Carolyn Steyn
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was featured on "Carte Blanche" on the 8th June!! KnitWits for Madiba, you ROCK!! Stitch by stitch we will be keeping people in our beautiful country (and around the world) warm in the winter months in the name of our beloved Nelson Mandela. Onwards and knitwards!!
Link to 67 Blankets for Madiba discussion page.
The project now has a new official Facebook page,
here is the Link
REPORT FROM MAMA N'TOMBI COMMUNITY PROJECTS
here is a lovely 'thank you' note received
"Knit-A-Square once again blessed our children with the most beautifully knitted beanies, jerseys and blankets.
Thank you too Christina for your gifts of love for the children. They loved the teddy bears and gloves.
Our children will be warm and cosy this winter. Thank you so much for your love and compassion for the poor. We wish you were with us to experience their joy and excitement. Thank you for bringing a smile to a destitute child."
- Sandra Pillay of Mama Ntombi CP
This is Ntokozo the little girl who suffered terrible burns earlier this year from boiling fat, but recovered because Mama Ntombi stepped in and took her to hospital for treatment. The picture above was taken a couple of weeks ago when she turned up at the Wayside Sunday School with no clothes on, except for underwear. Fortunately, it was the day Mama Ntombi were handing out the knitted items from KAS and were able to provide her with this beautifully knitted top.
Scroll down the discussion page and read about Ayanda - a little boy badly burned who was found terribly neglected and taken to hospital by Mama Ntombi CP!
To read more on this and other associate groups please go to
THE BLANKET ROOM COLLECTION !
The Blanket Room Collection - More blankets have been added and a number of Memory Blankets have joined the collection. We may well create a special page where all these lovingly created blankets in memory of a dear departed family member can be stored.
Karla (Czech Republic) created this beautiful design in memory of her late Father. She says, he was born in March, when the first flowers and butterflies appear......
SORTED IN SOUTH AFRICA
Annette's son Luke and nephew Eric joined in the sorting process!
To view more office photos and arrivals of goodies please go to
What's Going on in South Africa
The JBay Recycling Project for Children
& Stitch Witch News
Sunny but chilly day, lots of hoodies in use! 1.2 tons of recyclables
traded by the children!
This little girl carried her much loved Christmas teddy wrapped in a towel.
To see more of the photos from the various Monday sessions please click on
JBay Recycling Project for Children
If you are a member of Facebook, then do check out the Stitch Witch page to view some of their recently created blankets and meeting sessions.
SPREADING THE WORD,
MEMBERS & GROUP NEWS!
Knit-a-Square made front-page news !
To read about the event please click here
Anne Powell (Canada) is taking Knit-a-Square into the
Pinterest arena!
Anne has been studying Pinterest on our behalf and has been quietly developing 'pin boards' on various aspects of KAS to help spread-the-word both in the craft section and in the NGO section of this medium - in fact, several people have become Forum members through the process!
To view the boards created so far, please go to :
Pinterest - Knit-a-Square and Pinterest - Knit-a-Square South Africa
When you click on the link to Knit-a-Square South Africa, you will be taken to the "main page" There you will see several "Boards" about various aspects of KAS. Just click on the board to see the various Pins.
IMPORTANT - BEFORE you leave the main page to explore the boards, please click FOLLOW ALL to receive updates on all the boards.
If you only click 'Follow' on a particular Board, that is the only one you will receive updates for, and you might miss some other interesting stuff.
This is more important for the South Africa page than the 'craft page' where you might not want to receive a notice every time I Pin a square from a Challenge
Anne is keen to point out that these are works-in-progress, and, she herself is still learning! To read more about this new and exciting development please visit the new discussion page at : Pinterest
Gumnuts Group - Australia
To read more of the comments on this brilliant news, please click here
NEWS FROM SECTION FRANCAISE : Carrément Votre
Valerie has translated even more patterns into the French Language! Link to KAS Knitting Patterns and Crochet Patterns you will notice that some patterns have the French National Tri-colour flag with a link to the French language versions. For those members who would like the opportunity to comment in French, please go to the International Group Page then choose SECTION FRANCAISE : Carrément Votre
- The local newspaper published an article about Knit-a-Square on May 7th - International AIDS Orphans Day - the results have been very encouraging!
- Several ladies interested in knitting squares, have received French language patterns from Valerie, plus instructions how to find more patterns for those who are computer-savvy!
- Donations of yarn have arrived, with one huge box from Paris (over 300 km from Valerie). This lady has more if needed!
- Retirement home - the activities organiser has ladies who already knit squares, but didn't know where to donate them. They are very interested in knitting for KAS so Valerie is visiting them shortly.
[This newly created section is in its early stages of development and further improvements are planned with more links on the website to direct would-be contributors to its pages!]
Valerie has now added her personal blog The French Connection
where you can read the developments in her corner of France - it will be updated as more news arrives!
STORIES FOR TEACHERS
Calling all Teachers, Schools and Youth Groups!
We hear all the time about KasKids Programs running in schools and other youth programs. These are some of my favorite stories, because groups like this are empowering kids to make a positive change in their world.
The teachers, educators and youth group leaders in our community do a fantastic job sharing a love of yarn and of social justice with our next generation.
We'd love to hear some stories testimonials, or even find volunteers to appear in a video which we are developing about running KAS in schools.
We want to share these stories with the rest of the world.
Please do check out the rest of Erica's discussion page !
The Teacher Guide is available from the KasShop
KAS MONTHLY CHALLENGES
June 2014 Challenge - Day of the African Child
lead by Robin Monsees (USA)
The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16th every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) to commemorate the 1976 Soweto protests.
The AU is Africa's premier institution and principal organization for the promotion of accelerated socio-economic integration of the continent, which will lead to greater unity and solidarity between African countries and peoples.
As always, our members come up with their own creations and contributions towards improving the lives of the children in Africa, here are some of this months beautifully crafted squares :
Here is the list for the rest of the year!
AUGUST - THE BEAUTY OF BLUES - Susan Haines
SEPTEMBER - VARIEGATED YARN - Bev Jeffery
OCTOBER – FAVOURITES – favourite yarn, patterns etc - Gloria Grandy
NOVEMBER - BUGS, SLUGS & HUGS - Linda Maltby
DECEMBER - UN-CHALLENGE - time to relax, have fun, and get ready for the holidays - Susan Haines
SQUARE LISTS
TALLY or ITEM COUNT
The Square Lists for April & May are now available!
May 2014 Squares List graph for squares : 13,728 squares
The graphs for beanies and tops are available at
JULY PATTERN OF THE MONTH
by Linda Maltby
Diagonal Knit Square
A Diagonal square is easy to knit. It is also easy to achieve the 8”/20cm needed for a square.
Adding a self-patterning yarn to the centre has made this a very pretty square.
Made with diagonal squares, this blanket has a very effective and interesting design.
4 Diagonals make a striking pattern in a blanket.
The squares on the left are made with the same yarns. The ones on the right have bits of fancy yarn to add another level of interest.
Made with stripes, variegated yarns and complimentary colours, these squares will be a lovely addition to a blanket.
Using small balls of yarn will make interesting squares and help you work through your stash !
The Diagonal knit pattern
is one of the many patterns to be found in the
If you see another pattern you would like to try, please do!
SQUARE HEART OF THE MONTH AWARD
Edited this month by Gloria Gandy
The Square Heart Award for June 2014 is for
Sharon B - USA
In February of 2013, Sharon B joined the KAS Forum. She had, in fact, been quietly working away, making and sending squares to South Africa for a couple of years before that!
Her presence has become a bright spot for many of us on the Forum where she shares photos of her beautiful work and offers complimentary and encouraging comments on the efforts of other contributors. She has the ability to ferret out different and unusual patterns which she shares with other members, and ultimately the children in South Africa benefit from her wonderful talent.
To read the rest of the award, please click here
KAS FACEBOOK PAGE
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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Tarika Nath, Sristi Sanghui, Kashmeera Giga and Priya Kane of Dulles High School (Houston, Texas) completed their Individual Service Project by knitting squares they specifically made for Knit-a-Square and the vulnerable children of South Africa. Below are the photographs of the squares being prepared for posting! Knit-a-Square certified that the girls had participated so they could obtain their National Honor Certificate, and, can now confirm that the parcel has arrived.
Knitted squares ready!
Priya at the Post Office!
THE GREAT KAS CONTEST (KonTest??)
In a moment of madness, Anne Powell has thrown out a Challenge to the members in the form of this contest.
Check out her discussion at The Great KAS Contest (KonTest??)
THE OBJECT - guess how many squares Anne can make from the mess in this basket before July 28
THE PRIZE - Anne will treat the winner to a $25 shopping spree in the KAS Shop - winner can choose what she wants to buy
Please join the discussion and join in the fun!
Additional good news regarding the KonTest - two wonderful members have volunteered to sponsor $1 for every square Anne makes over & above their initial guesses to help raise funds for KAS!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Replies
What a wonderful report as usual. I love reading about the kids and all the blankets and sweaters they get. Their faces say it all.
hurrah! the squares are rising again was getting slightly worried!
Beautiful report Pam… love all the info and of course all the pictures!! Great job; thanks!
Once again a really great report and I love being reminded of all that happens in a month. Quite a lot this month !! Thanks Pam.
Thanks Sue and everyone - although I 'pull' it together, I do receive a great deal of support from Linda, Anne & Bev - they are my personal eagle-eyed proof readers and sloppy grammar detectors! The stories themselves come of the KAS organisation and, of course, the ever resourceful and spirited Knit-a-Square members!
Thanks Pam for such an interesting report... its amazing just how much detail and news there is each time about the goings-on in South Africa.
Pam, what a great job you've done in pulling all the month's activities together in this report. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Gorgeous interview Ronda. Good job.