WISH LIST 2016
KNIT-A-SQUARE WISH LIST 2016
Over the years Knit-a-Square has grown rather organically and kindhearted members have been sending an ever increasing variety of goodies, but it has become essential for Knit-a-Square to have an appraisal and re-evaluate its whole approach in order for the office team to comfortably handle the number of items arriving.
In future Knit-a-Square will ONLY be able to distribute squares, assembled blankets, hats, hand-warmers and cuddly toys. All other items, as mentioned below, will be distributed through a third-party and not directly by KAS.
The focus for the coming year, and for some time to come will be :
Squares for blankets - Hats & Hand-warmers - Cuddly Toys
In order to make life easier for the office team we need the following assistance :
SQUARE REQUIREMENTS
- In the correct size - 8x8inches (20x20cm)
- With little tails sewn in, and the long tails butterflied and secured, Link : How to secure the tail of a square
- Please do not wrap the squares in plastic cling wrap - they arrive smelly!
- Bundled into square packs of 35 if there are enough of them.
- You are welcome to sew your squares into blankets of 5x7 squares (see chart at bottom of the page) but must only declare that your package contains knitted squares. [Crocheters often find it easier to crochet the squares into strips and then crochet the strips together.]
HATS & BEANIES
- Ronda mentioned that the ribbed hats are the best as they grow with the child. Sizing - if it fits the knitter then it will fit the child comfortably.
- However, please avoid square hats, as for some reason the children get ridiculed for having "ears"!
HAND-WARMERS
- Again hand-warmers that are ribbed are comfortable and grow with the child.
- Please place one hand-warmer inside the other in order to keep them together.
- Please avoid tying them together or using safety pins as these must be removed prior to distribution and it is fiddly and time consuming.
CUDDLY TOYS
- The children absolutely adore receiving their own personal 'present' of a cuddly toy - and they bring joy beyond measure for so many children who have never experienced the wonder of "ownership".
- Hand knitted toys or store bought toys are welcome, but all price tags must be removed to avoid customs problems.
- Second hand toys are accepted as long as they are in good condition.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT ARE WELCOME
- Yarn - we always need yarn to sew together and edge the blankets.
- Yarn needles - we always need these for sewing the blankets - both plastic and metal are great.
- Crochet hooks - 4.0mm (US size G/6, UK/Canadian size 8) for edging the blankets so they remain strong.
- We do not need any more knitting needles at this stage - we have a box full!
TO HELP US COPE AND STREAM-LINE THE OFFICE OPERATION, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE LIKELY TO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH A TRUSTED THIRD PARTY IN THE FUTURE :
Jumpers and Grace Vests : Have already been successfully distributed by Erica Lüttich from the Outreach Foundation. However, although Erica sent lots of photographs of the children wearing the garments, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible each time.
Toothbrushes, tissues and toiletry items : A third party distributor has yet to be identified, but church outreach departments will help.
Store bought or second-hand clothing : Will be distributed through Wandi and the Methodist Church quarterly outreach gatherings.
Underwear : All underwear will be given to the Rape Crisis Centre in Beoni which deals with many children up to the age of 14 in all crisis situations.
Socks : A third party distributor has yet to be identified.
KasCuddles & Baby Items : Will be distributed via Hotel Hope and Sister Susan at the Baragwanath Hospital Maternity Ward.
GENERAL POSTING & PACKING NEEDS
- Completing the Packing Slip is a huge help to the team at the office - thank you. Here is the link to the discussion page where you will find 3 documents including a large print version listed on the bottom left : Revised Packing Slip
- The new message to be printed on parcels is :
BONA FIDE GIFT
FOR CHARITY
NO COMMERCIAL VALUE
- Customs Ticket - please only write a value of '0' or '1' - anything higher will result in Knit-a-Square being charged duties, which they well cannot afford, resulting in parcels being returned to customs authorities for re-assessment. THIS can result in non-receipt in the long run.
- Please do not register or insure your parcels - it automatically assumes a "monetary value" on the parcel and this is what causes the problems with SA Customs & Excise!
- Please continue to use the usual address at Bryanston, as this branch is re-opening in a new location on 21st December!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wendy on
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Great to see the list for next year so we have a better idea of needed items.
I just have a couple of questions though, are zip lock bags (I see cling wrap causes problems), ok for putting items in before mailing? (I usually put smaller items like handwarmers in one to keep them together).
Also is the KAS square beanie pattern still ok to use if I do the optional cast off rows to shape it at the top (as per photo below).
Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Pam Antink on
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Will enquire about the ziplock bags Wendy, but definitely the cling film is a bit of a no-no, for some reason they squares become smelly during transit!
Your beanies have never been a problem, but for some reason the children find the square ones amusing - with the inevitable teasing for those who receive one.
Here are examples of some of the lovely square hats - beautifully created and meant to be fun, but alas rejected by the children!
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Hi Wendy, Wendy H has replied that zip-lock bags are perfect! For some reason the tightly wrapped cling film must 'suffocate' the yarn and causes the smell problem!
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Permalink Reply by Susanne Leverton on
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Thank you for this inf o for 2016....i have a questionalso....I usually try to include some suitable toys for a child care centre where blankets are being distributed, as the centres often look very under resourced....is this still ok? Thank you, and Merry Christmas to all the wonderful South African team
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Feel certain that toys you send are not a problem for the distribution team Susanne.
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Wendy H has confirmed that there is no problem Susanne!
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Thank you Pam.......Merry Christmas
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Grandy on
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Thank you very much for this very valuable information, Pam! It's so tempting sometimes to "add a little something extra" without realizing that it may end up being a problem on Ronda's end.
It is also wonderful to see that our sweaters, cuddles and such are still welcome, and will be distributed to the children by someone else. This will be a big help to Ronda and her team I'm sure, and the children are still able to receive them! Thank you to Erica, Wandi, and everyone else who will be looking after these distributions. xo
PS ... I just want to say how good it feels to be part of an endeavour that has grown to this extent simply because of all the love that keeps pouring in! I will continue to help by using this Wish List when spreading the word and planning my projects :)) xo
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Permalink Reply by Susan Donaldson on
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Thank you for your excellent update on what KAS needs for the children. I have one query - are knitted strips acceptable I.e. Equivalent to 5 eight inch squares? I must admit I am not great at sewing up squares, so strips would be a half way house and mean less time overall on sewing up in Africa.
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Absolutely Susan, the knitted strips are very much welcomed as they are the the correct size to fit into a blanket!
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Many thanks, Pam.
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Permalink Reply by Juli Harrington on
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Hello,
Thanks for the 2016 update. I have a question about putting blankets together. I thought that due to custom's taxes sending just the squares was better. Would you now prefer that the blankets are sewn together?
Juli
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