I have used wool, wool blends and all acrylic. Washable is best but it is doubtful (and sad) that some of the blankets will ever get washed. I mail about 10-15 squares at a time and I reuse the heavy plastic bags that merchandise from mail order companies like LL Bean use. I have plenty of them and can mail you some if you'd like. Tyvek bags are the plastic mailing envelopes that are lined with bubble wrap. You can find the medium sizes in the Dollar Store but the larger sizes are from Staples or other office supply stores and they cost about $2-2.50. I pack the squares flat into the bag, add any toys or hats or socks and fold the end closed with packing tape, that wide clear tape you can get at many stores. Since everything I mail is soft, I feel confident that I don't need to use a box or other means of shipping. When you take your package to the post office, you will have to fill out a customs form...they have them at the counters so I usually take a few home to fill out next time. You follow the directions and the clerk will affix the form to the package and give you a copy. Just be sure to write "0" for the value of the squares and indicate that they are a gift. I do not list the other items that just fell into the package...as they might have to pay customs duty on them in South Africa. There is a form available here online that you can download and print to enclose in your package, or you can just write a note listing what is enclosed and include your name and address inside the package. I ask the clerk for the cheapest rate and it usually costs just under $1.00 per square. Therefore, I send smaller packages more often to keep the cost down each time. It all adds up but I love helping KAS! I hope this answered your questions?
Hello Myrna, so glad you have joined us. Keeping the children in South Africa warm has brought together a world-wide group of caring knitters and crocheters.
If you haven’t already, please read through the welcome message on the forum main page for helpful hints and things that might interest you. The FAQ category should answer any general questions you may have. If not, please ask. http://forum.knit-a-square.com
Looking for patterns? Check the KAS Pattern Book for garments and squares for the children. We are focusing on children aged 3-9 years old.
Every month, we list the squares, beanies and tops that have arrived in South Africa. To find the ‘Squares lists’ please click the Forum tab [in the toolbar above] then on “Tallies/Item Count” for an up-to-date listing.
Click Here for a few tips for sending your parcel. Postal information is here.
This month’s KasSnippets has been e-published and I thought you might find it interesting to read.
We have a challenge each month. This is a fun way to try new colours, ideas or patterns. A theme is chosen, and if you wish, you may create something new and different......it could be making a plain square using a new colour, a different stitch or trying a totally new way of knitting/ crocheting. An 8”/20cm square is the perfect size for experimenting.
This month we are Celebrating the Variegated Square. These yarns are such fun and create a uniquely different pattern with each square made. We would love to see your creations ! Click here to join the discussion.
If you are interested in joining any of our challenges, please note: Your parcel does not need to arrive in South Africa before the end of the challenge month. Many of us use sea-mail and find parcels take between 6-10 weeks to arrive. Whenever your parcel arrives, know it will be appreciated and that you are keeping children warm.
As always, making the basic square is a wonderful way to relax and still help the children. Plain Janes, as they are affectionately called, are the backbone of KAS. Since it takes 35 squares to make one blanket, squares are needed all the time.
We would love to see photos of your work. Click on the photo option at the top of the page and follow the prompts.
Comments
Dear Myrna,
I have used wool, wool blends and all acrylic. Washable is best but it is doubtful (and sad) that some of the blankets will ever get washed. I mail about 10-15 squares at a time and I reuse the heavy plastic bags that merchandise from mail order companies like LL Bean use. I have plenty of them and can mail you some if you'd like. Tyvek bags are the plastic mailing envelopes that are lined with bubble wrap. You can find the medium sizes in the Dollar Store but the larger sizes are from Staples or other office supply stores and they cost about $2-2.50. I pack the squares flat into the bag, add any toys or hats or socks and fold the end closed with packing tape, that wide clear tape you can get at many stores. Since everything I mail is soft, I feel confident that I don't need to use a box or other means of shipping. When you take your package to the post office, you will have to fill out a customs form...they have them at the counters so I usually take a few home to fill out next time. You follow the directions and the clerk will affix the form to the package and give you a copy. Just be sure to write "0" for the value of the squares and indicate that they are a gift. I do not list the other items that just fell into the package...as they might have to pay customs duty on them in South Africa. There is a form available here online that you can download and print to enclose in your package, or you can just write a note listing what is enclosed and include your name and address inside the package. I ask the clerk for the cheapest rate and it usually costs just under $1.00 per square. Therefore, I send smaller packages more often to keep the cost down each time. It all adds up but I love helping KAS! I hope this answered your questions?
Debbie
Welcome Myrna from the UK. You can also catch-up with events and news through our monthly news bulletin KasSnippets : http://forum.knit-a-square.com/forum/categories/kas-snippets/listFo... This will provide a taster of what happens during a KAS month!
We also have two new videos which are work checking out :
1. http://youtu.be/x4uekHo1UYY
2. http://youtu.be/UIrfmIYuHYE
Welcome to KAS Myrna and warm greetings from South Africa :)
Welcome, Myrna, from suburban Philadelphia. Glad you've joined us!
Hello Myrna, so glad you have joined us. Keeping the children in South Africa warm has brought together a world-wide group of caring knitters and crocheters.
If you haven’t already, please read through the welcome message on the forum main page for helpful hints and things that might interest you. The FAQ category should answer any general questions you may have. If not, please ask. http://forum.knit-a-square.com
Looking for patterns? Check the KAS Pattern Book for garments and squares for the children. We are focusing on children aged 3-9 years old.
Every month, we list the squares, beanies and tops that have arrived in South Africa. To find the ‘Squares lists’ please click the Forum tab [in the toolbar above] then on “Tallies/Item Count” for an up-to-date listing.
Click Here for a few tips for sending your parcel. Postal information is here.
This month’s KasSnippets has been e-published and I thought you might find it interesting to read.
We have a challenge each month. This is a fun way to try new colours, ideas or patterns. A theme is chosen, and if you wish, you may create something new and different......it could be making a plain square using a new colour, a different stitch or trying a totally new way of knitting/ crocheting. An 8”/20cm square is the perfect size for experimenting.
This month we are Celebrating the Variegated Square. These yarns are such fun and create a uniquely different pattern with each square made. We would love to see your creations ! Click here to join the discussion.
If you are interested in joining any of our challenges, please note: Your parcel does not need to arrive in South Africa before the end of the challenge month. Many of us use sea-mail and find parcels take between 6-10 weeks to arrive. Whenever your parcel arrives, know it will be appreciated and that you are keeping children warm.
As always, making the basic square is a wonderful way to relax and still help the children. Plain Janes, as they are affectionately called, are the backbone of KAS. Since it takes 35 squares to make one blanket, squares are needed all the time.
We would love to see photos of your work. Click on the photo option at the top of the page and follow the prompts.
Enjoy !