Hi Kaz Angelique...to tell you the truth quite a few of us go "treasure hunting" in yard sales (for afghans to unwind for yarn), thrift shops (particularly for wool sweaters we can felt/shrink that can then be cut into very warm blanket squares, and also for good quality stuffed animals. There's treasure hunters all over the place. Some of us have even taken stickers and made counting or alphabet books for the children from folded over pieces of craft/construction paper in bright colors. They are bereft of pretty much everything in the South African areas where we work, currently around Johannesburg. They don't even have second hand magazines to cut out pictures for the children so sometimes we make up picture books for the kids from cut out pictures pasted into the folded over paper books again. We just punch two holes in the spine of the "book"(usually made of half a sheet of construction/kraft paper folded in two, 3 or 4 pieces) and tie them with a scrap of yarn through the holes. So absolutely, checking around for hats, sweaters, vests, jumpers are a very good idea. We haven't concentrated on scarves and gloves but some have been sent. At first we were concerned that customs might find whole clothing items and then charge duty but so far, with our mailing notices of "No Commercial Value--knitting/crochet for charity only" we've avoided that. We're full of baby items at the moment and are concentrating on children 2-3 yrs old up to 10 years old though truthfully the teenagers need warmth too. So yes, if you see something you think might be nicely warm, I guarantee it will be used. Sorry to natter on abit. Any questions feel free to ask me or just check on the discussion forums, like Cafe KAS, found by clicking on Forums above which takes you to the discussion index.
Welcome to KAS, Kaz, from across the world in snowy Canada. Yep, it's snowing today, a good excuse to stay inside and crochet! It'll leave soon enough since we've had some 10-15C days here. Our cat was sure browned off to see it and contented himself with rummaging around our garage instead, which was great as I went with him and found 2 books, a hat, scarf and some boots I'd been looking for! (hubby's idea of cleaning is to toss everything in a box and put it in the garage which leads to some interesting "finds" for me!)
I find KAS such a rewarding cause to be involved in and I hope you enjoy it too. Do check out the New Member Guide which is found by clicking "Main Page" in the header above. To reach the Discussions just click Forum above. Any questions just PM me. :) So, welcome to Knit A Square! Blankets and hats and sweaters direct from our hands to their hearts, a win-win.
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Hi Kaz Angelique...to tell you the truth quite a few of us go "treasure hunting" in yard sales (for afghans to unwind for yarn), thrift shops (particularly for wool sweaters we can felt/shrink that can then be cut into very warm blanket squares, and also for good quality stuffed animals. There's treasure hunters all over the place. Some of us have even taken stickers and made counting or alphabet books for the children from folded over pieces of craft/construction paper in bright colors. They are bereft of pretty much everything in the South African areas where we work, currently around Johannesburg. They don't even have second hand magazines to cut out pictures for the children so sometimes we make up picture books for the kids from cut out pictures pasted into the folded over paper books again. We just punch two holes in the spine of the "book"(usually made of half a sheet of construction/kraft paper folded in two, 3 or 4 pieces) and tie them with a scrap of yarn through the holes. So absolutely, checking around for hats, sweaters, vests, jumpers are a very good idea. We haven't concentrated on scarves and gloves but some have been sent. At first we were concerned that customs might find whole clothing items and then charge duty but so far, with our mailing notices of "No Commercial Value--knitting/crochet for charity only" we've avoided that. We're full of baby items at the moment and are concentrating on children 2-3 yrs old up to 10 years old though truthfully the teenagers need warmth too. So yes, if you see something you think might be nicely warm, I guarantee it will be used. Sorry to natter on abit. Any questions feel free to ask me or just check on the discussion forums, like Cafe KAS, found by clicking on Forums above which takes you to the discussion index.
Jeanne :)
Welcome to KAS, Kaz, from across the world in snowy Canada. Yep, it's snowing today, a good excuse to stay inside and crochet! It'll leave soon enough since we've had some 10-15C days here. Our cat was sure browned off to see it and contented himself with rummaging around our garage instead, which was great as I went with him and found 2 books, a hat, scarf and some boots I'd been looking for! (hubby's idea of cleaning is to toss everything in a box and put it in the garage which leads to some interesting "finds" for me!)
I find KAS such a rewarding cause to be involved in and I hope you enjoy it too. Do check out the New Member Guide which is found by clicking "Main Page" in the header above. To reach the Discussions just click Forum above. Any questions just PM me. :) So, welcome to Knit A Square! Blankets and hats and sweaters direct from our hands to their hearts, a win-win.