Hello Juli.  A Happy New Year to you!  Welcome to Knit-a-Square from Nova Scotia, Canada.  A desire to share and to help keep the children in South Africa warm has brought together a wonderful group of caring individuals from all over the world.  We are delighted that you have joined us.

This is where we receive information from Ronda and the volunteers in South Africa (South Africa Reports),  have our questions answered (Helpful Hints), find patterns (Kas Pattern Book)  share photos (Photo tab), conversation, and an occasional good laugh (Share a Yarn) with other Forum members.  There are many ongoing discussions (DiscussionsCategories) for you to follow and/or join, and other specific groups (Groups) that may interest you.  Just browse through the tabs at the top of the page, and I’m sure you’ll find whatever information you need.

The KAS Pattern Book includes patterns for garments that have been designed by KAS with the specific needs of the children in mind.  We are focusing on children aged 3-9 years, as this age group is in need of warm garments and blankets.

Our main focus is 8” x 8” (20 cm x 20 cm) squares for blankets.  It doesn’t matter if they are simple knitted or crocheted squares (Plain Janes, we love to call them) or fancy squares.  What does matter is that they measure 8” x 8” (20 cm x 20 cm) and that they are warm.  Plain Janes are the backbone of KAS. They provide the framework for a few fancy squares to create individuality in a blanket.  Since it takes 35 squares to make one blanket, squares are always needed.

If you have’t already seen it, please have a look at our very own  Knit a Square Song.  We hope you will like it and share it with all of your friends :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvqcUZ4OGs&feature=youtu.be 

Every square you send will be received in South Africa, stitched into a blanket by the wonderful volunteers there, and lovingly wrapped around the shoulders of a vulnerable or needy child, giving him or her warmth and the assurance that someone cares.

Each month we have a different theme/challenge.  These are for fun and inspiration, and you are welcome to join in any or all of them.  You will find information regarding all of these (including the current ones) under the DiscussionsCategories tab at the top.

Regarding postage, many of us use sea-mail and find that parcels take between 6-10 weeks to arrive in South Africa.  Since parcels are arriving all the time, this is perfectly okay and we encourage you to use the least expensive way to send.  Also, it is extremely important that it is clearly marked on our packages “Knitted Squares for Charity Only – No Commercial Value”. 

So please sit back, relax, put your feet up, grab your yarn and hook/needles and enjoy.  You are among friends.