It's better to keep the squares as close to 8 ins as possible. As KAS receives so many squares it's easier for the volunteers to make up blanket packs of 35 squares. These packs are very often given to groups of grandmothers in the townships to sew into the blankets. They've been taught how to do this and giving them regular sized squares enables them to put the blankets together easily.
Knitting squares on the diagonal is the easiest way to guarantee the right size. Otherwise changing needle size or type of yarn helps. It does take a little time to find the easiest way of getting it right. At first I cut out a piece of cardboard the exact size and based my squares on that.
When you send your squares to SA put all the larger squares together and put a note giving the size. That will make them easier to sort. Also, make sure there are no loose ends and that the length of yarn that is left after casting off is neatly "butterflied " onto the square. Otherwise it makes sorting the squares a very lengthy job with lots of tangled ends to sort out
You can find out the best way to butterfly ends if you check out the various patterns for squares in the KAS Pattern Book.
All this must seem very constricting, but once you find your way around the site, you'll feel like an old hand in no time at all.
A warm welcome to Knit-A-Square (KAS) from South Wales,thank you for joining us!
KAS is a wonderful world-wide community of caring people who knit and crochet, to help keep orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa (SA) warm during their very cold winters.
Through the forum and the tabs across the top of the page, you are able to:
- Find the important information that you need before posting your parcel, including the PackingSlip that needs to be included inside every parcel .This also has the important details of how to label your parcel to prevent volunteers in SA being charged to receive it. Here you can also ask any questions you may have (Helpful Hints).
- Share in a variety of discussions either by following or contributing. You can learn what is happening in South Africa and see photos of unpacking, and sorting, completed blankets and distributions to the children. Each month we have a different theme; these are for fun and inspiration. Please join in if you wish (Discussion Categories).
- Access the free pattern book. The garment patterns have been designed by KAS to meet the needs of the children, most of whom are 3 -9 years old. There are also plenty of lovely patterns for squares too. It is worth having a look, as it explains the importance of leaving a 20” tail on each square and how to ‘butterfly’ the tails before sending (KAS Pattern Book).
- See the photos of other members work and share your own. This is inspirational! (Photos).
- Purchase items, which not only help KAS financially, but provide additional items for the children (KAS Shop).
Our main focus is making 8” x 8” (20cm x 20cm) squares for blankets. These can be knitted or crocheted in any stitch, as every square is valued whether they are plain or fancy! Most importantly, they need to be the rightsize for the volunteers in SA to sew together into lovely warm blankets for the children. There are 35 squares in each blanket, all made by caring people across the world who want to keep vulnerable children warm. Volunteers in SA distribute the blankets and warm garments to the needy children, who are then wrapped in warmth and the assurance that someone cares.
I hope you enjoy knitting / crocheting for the children and the fellowship of other like-minded KAS members across the world.
Comments
Hi Ros.
It's better to keep the squares as close to 8 ins as possible. As KAS receives so many squares it's easier for the volunteers to make up blanket packs of 35 squares. These packs are very often given to groups of grandmothers in the townships to sew into the blankets. They've been taught how to do this and giving them regular sized squares enables them to put the blankets together easily.
Knitting squares on the diagonal is the easiest way to guarantee the right size. Otherwise changing needle size or type of yarn helps. It does take a little time to find the easiest way of getting it right. At first I cut out a piece of cardboard the exact size and based my squares on that.
When you send your squares to SA put all the larger squares together and put a note giving the size. That will make them easier to sort. Also, make sure there are no loose ends and that the length of yarn that is left after casting off is neatly "butterflied " onto the square. Otherwise it makes sorting the squares a very lengthy job with lots of tangled ends to sort out
You can find out the best way to butterfly ends if you check out the various patterns for squares in the KAS Pattern Book.
All this must seem very constricting, but once you find your way around the site, you'll feel like an old hand in no time at all.
Hi Ros. Welcome to KAS. We're a friendly group and there'll always be a member to help you if you have a query..
I am interested to see that you live in Telford. I used to live in Jackfield long time ago. Now I live in France.
Hello Ros.
A warm welcome to Knit-A-Square (KAS) from South Wales, thank you for joining us!
KAS is a wonderful world-wide community of caring people who knit and crochet, to help keep orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa (SA) warm during their very cold winters.
Through the forum and the tabs across the top of the page, you are able to:
- Find the important information that you need before posting your parcel, including the Packing Slip that needs to be included inside every parcel .This also has the important details of how to label your parcel to prevent volunteers in SA being charged to receive it. Here you can also ask any questions you may have (Helpful Hints).
- Share in a variety of discussions either by following or contributing. You can learn what is happening in South Africa and see photos of unpacking, and sorting, completed blankets and distributions to the children. Each month we have a different theme; these are for fun and inspiration. Please join in if you wish (Discussion Categories).
- Access the free pattern book. The garment patterns have been designed by KAS to meet the needs of the children, most of whom are 3 -9 years old. There are also plenty of lovely patterns for squares too. It is worth having a look, as it explains the importance of leaving a 20” tail on each square and how to ‘butterfly’ the tails before sending (KAS Pattern Book).
- See the photos of other members work and share your own. This is inspirational! (Photos).
- Purchase items, which not only help KAS financially, but provide additional items for the children (KAS Shop).
Our main focus is making 8” x 8” (20cm x 20cm) squares for blankets. These can be knitted or crocheted in any stitch, as every square is valued whether they are plain or fancy! Most importantly, they need to be the right size for the volunteers in SA to sew together into lovely warm blankets for the children. There are 35 squares in each blanket, all made by caring people across the world who want to keep vulnerable children warm. Volunteers in SA distribute the blankets and warm garments to the needy children, who are then wrapped in warmth and the assurance that someone cares.
I hope you enjoy knitting / crocheting for the children and the fellowship of other like-minded KAS members across the world.