Greetings Selma, here's my "proper" welcome! I'm just east of you 1/2 way between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.  Sorry I’m so late doing this, put it down to old age and getting such a bleep of a cold!  Regardless---welcome to a worldwide network of loving happy people helping African Aids orphans. Glad to have you with us.  It's so heartening to know that in this global, often so impersonal world, we're actually making a difference, a REAL difference, in the lives of these children. Check out the Forum, above, for the various discussion threads, and Photos for all the lovely photos of members' work and Groups where you can join groups from countries around the world.

The Featured Discussions grouping (in the Forum section) show the most important subjects at the moment, latest challenges, latest news etc. I also recommend the Anyone Want to Chat Discussion section, which contains the Our Furry Companions and Yarnaholics threads. I am so much a Yarnaholic!  Thanks again for helping the AIDS orphans in Africa! 

Hi Selma, delighted to be your friend :-)

Hello Selma, welcome from a fellow Canadian ! 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.

I see you have already joined the Canadian Corner and Church groups.  I'm pleased you are making yourself 'at home' on the forum :-)  When you are ready to send a parcel please check out the checklist for Canadians discussion on the Canadian Corner. http://forum.knit-a-square.com/group/canadiancorner/forum/topics/checklist-for-sending-to-south-africa If you don't find the info you need please ask.

If you haven’t already, please read through the welcome message on the forum main page for helpful hints and things that might interest you. The FAQ category should answer any general questions you may have. If not, please ask. http://forum.knit-a-square.com

Wondering what is needed besides squares ? Here is a link to Ronda’s wish list for 2013 :  http://forum.knit-a-square.com/forum/topics/kas-wish-list-guidelines-for-2013

You might like the Monthly challenge.  This is a fun way to try new ideas or patterns.  Every month, a theme is chosen, and if you wish, you may create something new and different.

January’s challenge is Ronda's Winter Drive-Celebrating the Year of the Older Child.  It is so important that the children have warm clothing when the South African winter starts arriving in March/April. (Winter officially starts in June.)  We are focusing on children aged 4-9 years old. Using patterns from the KasPattern Book  which are designed for the older child, will ensure you send exactly what the children need to keep them the warmest.

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 month.  Those of us who use sea-mail find parcels take between 8-10 weeks to arrive. Thus if you mail a parcel by the end of January it will reach Ronda and the volunteers at the beginning of their fall/winter. But, whenever your parcel arrives, know that 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 it takes 35 squares to make one blanket, squares are needed all the time

Whatever you decide, we would love to see photos of your work.

Enjoy !

Hi Selma and a very warm welcome to KAS from Norfolk UK. We are a very friendly bunch so please feel free to ask any questions, there is always somebody with an answer, as I have found out!

Do take a look around the site using the tabs at the top of the page.

The pattern tab will take you to some wonderful knit and crochet patterns of items that are desperately needed. We are focusing on children aged 4-9 years old.

Using patterns from the KasPattern Book , which are designed for the older child, will ensure you send exactly what the children need to keep them the warmest.

The discussion Ronda's Winter Drive-Celebrating the Year of the Older Child  has an update of items needed.

The photo section has some wonderful pics of peoples work and when you feel ready it would be great to see some of your work but it isn’t a necessity to do this. It’s a great place for ideas and inspiration to keep the children warm.

So glad you have joined us.  Happy knitting/crocheting  :)