Hello Kristin, 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.
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.
Please visit “Helpful Hints” [see menu bar above] for information:
- Questions you may have (FAQs),
- How to navigate the forum,
- Postage information and
- Learn when your squares arrived in South Africa!
We have a monthly challenge as well. This is a fun way to try new colours, ideas or patterns revolving around the theme. 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. The October challenge is actually an ‘Unchallenge”. For the next two weeks, we are asked to have some extra fun while creating as many squares as possible! Click here to see how people are tackling this Unchallenge and please add your own squares.
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. Since parcels are arriving all the time, please use the most inexpensive way to send your parcel. Whenever your parcel arrives, it will be appreciated and 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 a blanket is created with 35 squares sent by people around the world, squares are needed all the time.
We would love to see photos of your work. Click on the photo option in the tabs above and follow the prompts.
Enjoy

Hi Kristin,

When KAS started the idea was to get people to send one or two squares, which were joined and finished off by local ladies. The idea has taken off so well that now thousands upon thousands of squares are received and many people do send hundreds. The idea of sending squares was for several reasons; one being the cost. Also, we declare on packages "NO COMMERCIAL VALUE" to avoid duty charges. Squares are still what is most wanted and there are many helpers in South Africa ready to sort and join them but some people do send whole blankets, mostly made from their own squares. A blanket is made from 35 X 8" (20cm)squares, that is 7 X 5. I have sent one or two blankets myself and they have arrived safely - there is something satisfying about seeing a complete project from time to time. The other thing that can be done is to make a blanketsworth of squares, photograph it laid out how you want it, and send the picture. Ronda's team will then endeavor to see that it is made in that way.

The biggest issues are duty and postal costs. We are just about to start a new challenge "KAS Reaches Great Heights" and that is definitely very square based. You'll see details of that on site soon but whatever you wish to send will be gratefully received. If you are thinking of using beautiful Icelandic wool you'll get lots of Ooohs and Aahs!