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My first square

Posted by Ali Harris on July 26, 2010 at 11:30pm in Historical Meeting You Discussions and Members Blo
Hello,

My name is Ali and I decided to become involved in this charity after watching the news piece that screened recently on ABC1 News here in Australia.

I live on the Gold Coast of Queensland with my husband and two daughters, age 3 1/2 and 5.  I work part-time as a Paediatric Nurse.

I am a life-long crafter  - sewing, knitting, embroidery, and recently quilting and crochet.  I started selling my craft a couple of years ago and through that became involved in a great community of Australian crafters.  I decided to set up my own local craft group earlier this year and we meet monthly to chat, drink tea and create. 

Our craft group is enthsiastic about supporting KAS too and we are planning a crochet session for our August meeting and a knitting session in September.  I'm looking forward to posting off our first bundle of squares later this year.

I have included a photo of my first square.  I am quite proud of myself as I have only recently learnt to crochet and was not sure that I'd be able to replicate the square as per the KAS pattern.  I'm off to start another one now!

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Replies

  • Elizabeth August 5, 2010 at 8:34pm
    Hello from a fellow Queenslander! So excited to hear that you saw the ABC news clip. There is some info here about posting from Australia http://forum.knit-a-square.com/forum/topics/postal-rates-australia - let me know if I can help you with anything else. :)
  • peggy Sack August 5, 2010 at 4:18pm
    welcome Ali so exciting to get new members. I joined about 3 monthes ago maybe less. I hope you enjoy making the squares as much as i do. It feels so good to be able to give back with our talent. How long have you been knitting. I have only been knitting since last december I did learn when I was younger. Then picked it back up several years ago stopped again and have been doing alot of knitting since I found this site. Well I hope we hear more from you. Welcome again
  • Susan Haines July 28, 2010 at 6:46am
    Welcome Ali! Awesome first square! I will warn you that KAS is quite addictive! I so look forward to finishing up a day at work, taking care of the home chores afterwards, and then finally getting to sit and relax with my needles. It's so peaceful, and I love to think of and send prayers and good thoughts to those who I know will be receiving the blankets made from the squares. It's just such a grand feeling of human "goodness"! KAS is a great, heart-warming group to be a part of.
  • Ali Harris July 27, 2010 at 1:37pm
    Thank you all for your welcome and words of encouragement. And for the crochet tips. I will try using a larger size crochet needle for the starting row of chains. Tension is tricky, isn't it?

    I have now picked up my knitting needles and have managed a square and a half since last night. It is very addictive ;-)
  • Enid Mary Shaw July 27, 2010 at 4:09am
    Hello Ali, and well done!!!! Looking forward to seeing more pics
    xx
  • P. Jeanne Haessler July 27, 2010 at 3:30am
    Welcome to KAS Ali! Very interesting to hear of all you've been up to. Way to go! And that is so cool that your entire craft group is enthused about helping the orphan and ill children in South Africa. I have an Uncle living over in Perth and of course our beloved Sandy hails from Aussie Land too. I agree with Andrea about that start chain...one can also just use a size or two larger hook, just for the start chain, so it's nicely loose. This is a SUPER first square. Wow. And yes, any pattern knitted or crocheted into an 8" square is more than welcome...just glancing through the immense photos section will show you a variety, however the less "gappy" the better, for warmth for the kids. This may be your first crochet square but obviously your years as a knitter gave you such regularity of stitching. I can't wait to see what you and your "gang" come up with for KAS in the future. Welcome aboard!

    Jeanne :)
  • Andrea Palmatier July 27, 2010 at 3:11am
    Welcome, Ali!

    Considering you just learned how to crochet, your square is great! Very even. Here's a small tip: you can make the first chain a little tight but try to chain the rest loosely. That way you won't get the loop at the end (on the left) and the curved shape at the bottom. I usually take a cleansing breath to relax before I chain and remind myself to loosen my tension!

    It is so amazing that you got your craft group involved. I'm so jealous!

    Happy crafting!

    Andrea :o)
  • Dawne Smith-Sliming July 27, 2010 at 1:59am
    Ali,
    Your square is wonderful! Just a side note that KAS patterns are given for those who don't have a pattern in mind. ANY crocheted or knitted square is welcome. We ask for an 8" square (20cm x 20cm) but the colour(s) and patterns are up to you. There are lots of ways to make warm squares. I can't wait to see what your group gets up to in Aug. and Sept. Great to hear your crafty group is coming on-board with KAS.

    For any of your group who may have missed the video when it aired there is a link to it from Sandy's blog so they can see it. http://allfororphans.com/knit-a-square-featured-during-mandela-day-...

    welcome to the knit-a-square community,
    Dawne
  • Sue Gillman July 26, 2010 at 11:34pm
    Welcome Ali ,what a great first square! That's lovely news about your craft group and I guess we will get to know you all as you get addicted to squares! I expect you are meaning the news item that Ronda was in. We were all very excited about her opportunity to talk and the publicity it gave KAS. PS Every squae counts!
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