All about babies and you

Penny wrote in the forum last week: I want to share that my new grandson was born yesterday. He was born healthy and lucky to have a loving family around him. Makes me even more determined to make squares and hats for the kids in Africa.

There was a lot of talk about babies this month in the Square Circle forum.

Andrea gave birth to her healthy son Evan on June 4th and commented, that she hoped to get back to making squares and was thankful that she had finished her initialled squares for Ten Thousand Homes the day before!

Other grandchildren were born or being looked after, including Ronda's which made her very busy this month.

There was mention of three pregnancies in the forum, including Rachel who kindly submitted the alphabet crochet patterns, and was happy to have done so before the nausea set in. And we delivered blankets and hats to our first preemie babies.

This tiny, minute little boy, Mpumelelo, born at 7 months weighing only 870gms, (30.6ozs) at birth, is now almost 1Kg (2.2lbs) so is 'doing well'. Mpumelelo has a mother, although she is very, very young, but perhaps it was the article copied below, from the British newspaper, the Guardian, that so poignantly juxtaposes the privilege of loving and caring for children and the tragedy of babies abandoned. The KAS community can help.
 

SQUARE CIRCLE ISSUE ELEVEN
25 JUNE 2009

NEWS
Our first preemie baby
Abandoned babies- how we can help
July Challenge – wrap a newborn in warmth
Purl Princesses purl (and knit) up a storm
Debbie's girls and their sweet letters
The wonderful work you do
A big idea, for a big give
The beautiful children of the Mother of Peace Community and Anna's prayer shawl
Future blanket distributions
The much promised short video
Family knits

COMMUNITY NEWS:
A KAS Community book – PLEASE FILL OUT OUR 1 MINUTE SURVEY!
Ten thousand homes challenge – an overwhelming response

NEW TO THE SITE:
Rachel's alphabet squares
At last! One of the videos – the Methodist Church Distribution

Tiny children who need soft, warm love

Ronda made contact with Edenvale Government Hospital where she and Erin delivered 14 baby blankets, 25 preemie hats, 12 tiny sweaters and 24 tiny vests to the ICU High Care, Neonatal, Paediatric Ward. Ronda wrote: 'It's a government hospital which means people are forced to wait in long queues for hours and there are never enough beds. But Sister Devi Govender, the senior nursing sister was very helpful and extremely grateful for the contribution. Ronda also commented that it was impossible to get an idea of how minute these babies are. Mpumelelo's hat was barely bigger than doll size and his little head only filled the bottom third of it.

They also visited the paediatric ward, where blankets will be distributed. Ronda wrote: "This little girl is ill with pneumonia and her crying was too awful for words – such a sick baba with no mum or dad around. Erin and I were completely choked up over her." It is brave to visit places where there is evidence of so much suffering. But they are where your hours of stitching will comfort small children, like this little girl. So much in this issue reflects the complexity of this tragedy, a mixture of sadness and hope, good works, hardship and gratitude. We share with you the story as it unfolds.

Abandoned babies–what can we do to help?

The notion of abandoned babies, of young women so desperate they find themselves faced with no other choice, is painfully difficult to think about.

This article by the Guardian Newspaper (UK) last week reports a sharp rise in the number of babies abandoned by mothers in recession hit South Africa.

They quote Jeanette Birrell, managing director of Tshwane Place of Safety as saying: "A lot of girls falling pregnant now don't have an income. They're living on the street, they don't have a home and they're desperate". Tshwane Place of Safety is receiving as many as 12 requests a day to take these babies. At this time they have 225 babies in their hundred safe homes.

Another article published in the Daily News on June 28, 2007 offers this further insight by Psychologist Saloshnie Chetty who was quoted as saying " The personal circumstances of the mother are often the most telling factor when it comes to the abandonment of babies. Aids is a reality in today's society and is ripping families apart. Most young women who are affected by Aids and are also in the grips of poverty, do not possess the emotional, mental or financial capacity to support a child. The grotesque and unbelievable nature of these acts attests to the desperation these girls are experiencing. They feel isolated; they do not know where to turn. Abandonment seems the easiest way out"

She was further quoted as saying: " to educate women of their choices, government needs to reach out to these women . . . and provide them with the knowledge they require to make an informed decision regarding the future of their newborn baby.

The work of organisations such as Tshwane Place of Safety deserves support and that of Orphan Network which has been created to join together all organisations that are involved with Orphans and Vulnerable Children and those who have would help.

July Challenge – Wrap a newborn in warmth

Which brings me to the July Challenge and how we can help.

Let's gift them a warm start.

That may be the best way to acknowledge this most sad and heartbreaking reality, to knit and crochet for these babies during the month of July.

The details of the challenge are still being worked out, but in essence we wondered if this wouldn't be an appropriate time to team up with one or two other KAS members to knit an entire baby blanket (12 squares). If Tshwane is getting 12 enquires a day, that is lot of new-borns who need warmth. Let's wrap them in love and warmth to help them a little on their way.

If you are not yet a member of the Square Circle Forum, this is a perfect opportunity to join this caring community and help these babies. We look forward to meeting you in there.

Purl Princesses purl (and knit) up a storm

Purls Palace is the most delightful yarn shop, with a Japanese influence. It is in Daylesford, about an hour and a bit from Melbourne, where my mother, Zanny lives. Zoe Bradshaw who owns the shop and Sue (Catsmum) were instrumental in organising Purls Palace knitting club, the Purls Princesses, to put on a knit-a-square day on June 4 this month. Kalai, Cressida and I took the day off (very happy family outing!) and drove up to spend the day to meet Zanny and participate in the event.

Zoe, together with The Rare Yarns Company had contributed the yarns for free and there were perhaps up to 16 knitters at any one time. What a haul – 111 squares on the day and 13 more a bit later, plus the kindness of all participating in making a donation (Aus $5 each) to the postage, which not only helped send all the squares but dozens of other donated squares.

It is a great way to make lots of squares, enjoy the friendship of community knitting and cover the postage. We made good friends along the way and added a few more members to Square Circle Forum, one of whom Tik, is expecting her baby any day now. And the local paper the Daylesford Courier interviewed Zoe and I and wrote this article at the bottom of the press archives page, which was another great way to publicise knit-a-square (although I look as if I have a stomach ache!)

Perhaps you may be able to talk to your local yarn shop and get a similar day happening.

Debbie's girls and their sweet letters

Debbie Posmontier pioneered the knit-a-square school's program, introducing it to the girls in years 2-6, aged 7 and 11, in March 09 at Springside School in Philadelphia. At the time she wrote: "We will sit in the sunshine in the meadow behind the school, a lovely place to knit for the less fortunate children on another continent.”

Over the next 3 months the girls learned to knit and many teachers became involved. She wrote again: "We have 55 girls knitting, at last count and have finished about 30 squares. Some have produced squares after just a few days of practice. Others are still struggling to learn. What I have found is that those who struggle with reading or math are the best knitters. This has empowered them and I see them teaching the other girls who do not struggle with academics but are struggling as knitters. It has been a wonderful time for the girls who have always felt that they could not achieve or excel at something. Now they know that they can!"

By the middle of May, she had posted 60 squares with another 80 soon to be sent. In early June they sent another 75. What a wonderful effort. But also important, has been the effect on the children. "Many girls have asked me if we can do this again in the fall, (September), and I answered with a resounding, Yes!

The wonderful work you do

There is such a remarkable volume of work arriving in South Africa, every known colour, hue and pattern. Many of you write charming and caring letters too, which Ronda keeps safely. They are wonderful mementos of the work you are doing for the children and we aim to collect and compile them, the photographs and the stories into a collection of publications to be made available to the KAS community, including the children who have received the blankets. (See survey below.)

It is not just in the knitting and crocheting that you do you work. Many of you spend a lot of time contributing to the groups, helping others, coming up with ideas and spreading the work. Everyone in KAS is indebted to you for this help.

So, which of these many colourful photographs to include in the ezine? This is a troublesome decision and although it would be democratic to publish them all, I would be months older by the time it was done and you would think we no longer existed! So I hope you will accept that this quite substantial, but random selection of the extraordinary work you do serves to include you all. But more importantly it is evidence that everything you do is noted, sorted, bundled and distributed to children who are warm now because of you.

I went back over all the hundreds and hundred of photographs that Ronda diligently sent and found some that had gone unnoticed in the rush of last month, so those are included too. Knowing that you have a passion of what you do, I am sure you won't mind scrolling through pages of beautiful knitting and crocheting, especially as you will realise that all of this is currently, or soon to be, making a child warm.

Left: Greetings from Pennsylvania – just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all that you are doing and how much I enjoy making the little sweaters and vests for you. Please tell everyone that we love them and keep you all in our prayers. Peace and love, Sharon Right: Rhonda's beautifully executed work is clearly identified from her other work on both Ravelry and Square Circle Forum.

Rhonda is a regular and very helpful contributor to the groups together with Jeanne who recently started a discussion: 'crochet beanie hat, easily sized up or down, infant to adult' . And you will recognise Jeanne, as her avatar is the cutest baby photo you have ever seen! It will most clearly answer any sizing issues you may have with crocheting a hat.

Left: 44 squares from Dee and Carole, Atlanta Right: Mountainview Community Church Ramona, California, old friends now.

We really hope that many of your members will join the Square Circle forum Church Groups, recetnly added to the forum under Groups. There are so many church groups contributing that it seemed a great way for you to communicate and share your common interests. http://square-circle-forum.ning.com/group/churchgroups

Left: the first squares to arrive for a Ten Thousand Homes child, Promise Mokoena from Donna Overton. Ronda has bundled Donna's squares together with matching squares from those sent by the United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. Middle: Little Lerato is a regular visitor to Ronda's house with her very young mother, who walks incredibly long distances to help. She is wearing one of Julie Waldo's lovely beanies. Julie also sent 47 squares. Right: a gorgeous jumper which is from the Make it May challenge sent by 'dumelaisuza'.

Right: Lindiwe with the ENORMOUS box of 230 squares from the United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge (again !) Left: the squares from the box – wow!

Sandra King the Director of Pastoral Care sent the amazing photograph below of the Knitting the Threads of God's Love members together with their first 78 squares in May. Ronda took the squares to Midway Methodist church in Tchiawelo, who made such a lovely job of their blankets, as seen in Square Circle No 10.

This blanket distribution event can be seen in this video which is up at last – the link is at the bottom of this ezine – can't have you all disappearing too soon! They were absolutely delighted and I believe have written directly to Sandra. Thank you so for such a wonderful effort and I hope some of your members will join the Church Groups in the forum.

Anne Warburton is a generous and regular contributor from Cape Town. She sent this parcel of goodies recently including felted slippers to comfort the Soweto Comfort Club ladies. Lindiwe was very pleased as you can see, and she gave a pair to Jo who was flying overseas the next night to an Alpha conference. Ronda has just 'confessed' on the forum that she is wearing the other pair. Great hit with the SCC ladies Anne, especially as Lindiwe and Jo have both been ill, thank you.

Tom sent a large 16" square and Sandra sent 4 red 8" squares. Ronda and Lindiwe arranged them and Ronda sewed it up. It makes a very attractive blanket. Luckily there were enough red and greyish squares to make up a full blanket.

Ronda is so proud of her own parish community – Bryanston Church who have contributed these lovely piles of squares along with several more. Right: In the background parcels and parcels, 50 of them from the UK.

How many days here of Kyla's square a day contribution? Looks like at least a month, they look fabulous. And from Sue Gascoigne (UK) who is a regular contributor in the UK Group. Lovely colours.

Left: University of Bradford school of engineering design, technical admin staff – great contribution, thank you. Middle: From Laurie Hake, the books which were gratefully received by Mother of Peace, see below, (and thank you your squares too). Right: Hello Florence and thank you for these 10 beautifully knitted squares.

Left: 69 super squares,Dorothy van Opstal – Methodist Church in Appomattox, Virginia. It was all hands to the wheel during this week with over 1000 squares opened. Daniel (Erin's son) and his little friend Liam were very proud to have opened and counted this box on their own and Hannah (Erin's daughter) opened and modelled this lovely jumper with pockets and warm fleecy shirt underneath plus hat from Paulette Pronk. Paulette also sent a whole lot of warm thermal baby outfits which will be put to wonderful use for our new borns. Fantastic colour combination – from a new contributor, Martha of North Plainfield NY. Ronda said they put a few more similar colour squares in this and made up a lovely blanket pack.

Aren't these felt and applique squares from Cindy Fitzhugh stunning. We also received 91 squares and 9 hats this month. Just a fabulous contribution, thank you Cindy.

Left: richly coloured sweater, vest and squares from Lisa Wylie which came with a book, Toby. Right: such pretty crochet blankets sewn by Jo and Lindiwe from last month. The blanket on the right has been made up of dozens of tiny little 8 x 8 cm squares we were sent from Australia. It is lovely, but the ladies are very happy that mostly they only have to work with 8" squares!

Left: Machine knitted fairisle design vests from Cherryl Graham, NI Knitters in Northern Island. Hopefully more of you from beautiful Ireland will join the NI knitters group in the forum soon. Right: superbly knitted squares from Janice Gassman. Those edges are amazing.

Right: A warm and touching letter from Anita and her sister Judith from Buffalo. I am sure they speak for us all. Left: 3 large sweaters, 12 hats and four scarfs from Joan Briar, Colorado. They look so warm Joan, what a generous contribution too.

Left: Lindiwe with squares and hats from Jean Anderson, UK each one complete with these lovely motifs. Right: What a great start to our baby hat collection. Soft, pretty hats from Gayle de Groot.

Our great group of friends, formed when our children were at kindergarten, came together recently for a winter weekend away. As Roger wrote, "it only needed Sandy and Kalai to pull out their needles and yarn to get first the women and then the younger people talking, and knitting, including the men". 22 squares all up. The blank space is waiting for Cressida's, little misshapen, but first ever knitting attempt at a square to be finished!

Left: To add to our baby pile, three soft and warm blankets from Sonni Bosman, Cape Town and sometimes Zimbabwe. Thanks Sonni. Right: And finally, these blankets were knitted and sewn and delivered by Jessica, an Anglican priest in Pretoria. Aren't they lovely?

At the end of the most massive parcel opening week (over 1800 squares), Ronda's house was literally festooned with squares and only a day to go before her family arrived from Cape Town! Grateful thanks to Annie, Erin and Sonya for stepping into help sort them all into blanket packs and clear out the spare bedrooms just in time. They had a very late night, but don't they look happy with all your wonderful work.

Going through the multitude of emails and photographs that Ronda has sent in the last 6 weeks, there is just so much more that could be going into these ezines. Sadly time and space just does not allow. There are so many equally fantastic contributions, (large and small) which while not shown here are none the less making any number of children warm who were cold before. I hope though, that these photographs will convey to you all how deeply appreciated your work is, and that every item we receive is catalogued and handed over at some point to a child to keep warm.

A big idea, for a big give

From Roger McDonald:
So many souls have given so generously, not only in love, labor and time, but in thought. The feelings expressed in the frequent posts to online groups and forums bring tears, mostly of joy, gratitude and pride in humanity. Now we want to involve you in a VERY BIG IDEA. If you do nothing else with this ezine, please click here and complete the survey. It‘s the start of something that will bring tears of joy to you.

The beautiful children of Mother of Peace Community and Anna's prayer shawl

Ronda made contact with Pat Prinsloo who runs the nearby Mother of Peace Community which has been operating since 2002. She organised to deliver blankets for the 17 children who are cared for by them, all orphans, many with HIV themselves, boys of 17, 15, 13 and 10, also one of 9 who is tiny because he is very ill with HIV, girls of 13, 11, 8 and 6, and four 9 year olds, three toddlers and baby boy of 8 months found abandoned on the side of the road. He must have been loved Pat said, as he was clean and wrapped in a blanket. The community are afforded the ground by a devoutly Catholic family who lives next door and there is a fully consecrated chapel on site.

The approach to the home in which the children live – Ronda said it was so cold that day, they thought it would snow. This blanket is the one Ronda had joined. It looks beautiful and warm – such a wonderful gift for an orphan child.

Some of the beautiful children of the Mother of Peace Community

Left: Princess, Right: Mama Pat with Gift, Arnie and JoJo wearing their new hats. Ronda said Arnie thanked her most beautifully and she wished she had caught it on video to share with you all. Next time.

Left: Two of the 'big boys' Isaac and Enoch., middle: Kholofele and Gift, right: Milly and Dido. Milly loved having her picture taken apparently!

Baby Gabriel, the 8 month baby boy found on the side of the road. What a beautiful child and how grateful we are that he was found and is being looked after by 'Mama Pat' and those that help her.

Left: Pat and Baby Gabriel in the brightly painted children's bedroom. Middle: Tebogo and Swabi Right: Milly and Dido posing in the back yard.

MITTENS? Interestingly, Pat has made a request for mittens. Does anyone have a pattern for mittens? If so could you post it on the patterns page on the forum

Pat mentioned to Ronda that so many of the women who come for evening vigil services walk a long way and are frozen stiff by the time they arrive, almost always with inadequate clothing. Ronda wrote: Imagine my DELIGHT when, the very next day, I opened a lovely bottle green prayer shawl, sent by Anna di Bartolomeo of Ontario. I felt it should go straight to Pat for these women's use in the chapel. Pat was delighted as well with the blankets and hats that Ronda delivered.

Future blanket distributions

There is a lot of work going on in the background regarding blanket distributions. The ladies of Phiri Parish, Moletsane, White City, Protea South and Midway Methodist Church are all currently sewing blanket packs which Jo and Lindiwe take to them, and are all accounted for. Deborah of Moletsane has distributed many of their made blankets to children in their area and taken photographs which, by her own admittance, are not the greatest quality. I have none the less included some of them here to show that your squares continue to be made into blankets and to make children warm.

Ronda says the ladies of Midway Methodist church (as seen in the video) are sewing madly. I hope soon there will be another blanket presentation there. Zeverfontein has a second and even poorer creche (shown below), which Ronda is planning to organise a distribution to and Pumla at Freedom Park has been given blanket packs which she is currently making up. Also, Bill who works at Mother of Peace is very involved with a nursery school of 40 children, who have absolutely nothing, called Telkom, as it has been made up of bits of an old demolished tele-communications building. Ronda is planning to visit Telkom with Bill and Pat to take them items of clothing.

Tit bits

Ronda has heard from Shannon Jacobs of Cedarwood School – the remedial school she presented knit-a-square too in mid May. At the time Ronda suggested a target of 200 squares. Apparently they have made 2000 squares! How fabulous is that. Ronda will collect them at assembly on Monday 6th July. She will need a van I think.

Family Knits

Can I challenge you all to send me photographs of you and your family or friends knitting? Okay, I have cheated, although the photograph was sent to me unsolicited. This is Charmian (Zanny and Ronda's other sister who lives in London), her husband Patrick, daughter Sophie and grand daughter Briony. We would love to publish any photographs you send of your family or groups knitting, so gather those menfolk, children and friends and get them involved too.

The much promised video

At last, and I do apologise as I promised this way back after the last ezine. It was a bit of a challenge learning how to stitch bits together and post it to you tube. Hope you enjoy it. It is heartfelt singing from the women and children, and wonderful to watch. Here it is.

Community news: Ten Thousand Homes

We had an overwhelming response to the the Ten Thousand Homes challenge to knit initialled squares for the 143 children needing blankets. The list was fully subscribed with in 8 or so days. Such a great response. Thank you all. These children will value the fact that they own a hand-knitted blanket with their initials in it. Please visit the forum in a day or two for the July Challenge. We will have all the details up by the end of June. And by the next ezine we will be able to show you lots of initialled squares.

Good bye from this issue

Nqobile says it so charmingly with a kiss. This coming month I am going to try to send two issues that are a little less like a novel. There is a lot coming up that we would like to share with you, especially about becoming a registered charity and fund-raising.

The list of square donators can be found here on the square list page. It only covers June 4, 11 and 18 and not the massive arrival Ronda has had recently, so please don't worry if you can't see your squares listed.

There are at least another 1,800 squares to be accounted for yet. The tally is extraordinary, just short of 13,000 squares to June 18 and 980 items of clothing, but Ronda believes we may now be close to 15,000 squares plus she picks up the 2,000 squares from Cedarwood School on Monday.

Please join the Square Circle forum, if you haven't already. It is the friendliest place to be with many different voices and interesting conversations. And I hope very much that you will fill in our survey.

To support knit-a-square, you can purchase Heritage Blanket and visit our store on the main site. Thank you.

Stay well and happy, until next time, Sandy

PS. I have just had the exciting news from South Africa, that as I send this out to you, Radio Highveld 94.7 is doing segment on knit-a-square. Radio Highveld is Johannesburg's biggest radio station with a massive listenership.

A little more about that happy day!

While there is still so much colourful news from the first sewing bee, I hope you will also read about Ten Thousand Homes. They are a Christian based organisation operating in South Africa who have asked if knit-a-square can extend it's knitting project to help warm some of the children they look after. These heartening and hopeful stories of their children, like little Sweetness will surely both touch and inspire you, and anyone you tell about them.

STOP NEWS: The squares are arriving very safely, in envelopes packets and boxes. If they are registered they are routed via customs and Ronda has to pay duty on them. Please do not register your parcels, just put on the outside, FOR CHARITY, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. Thank you.

SQUARE CIRCLE ISSUE SEVEN:

Have your squares arrived?
You'll just have to read right to the bottom of the ezine to find out!
Just a little bit more about that happy day!
Colourful Soweto
Ten Thousand Homes
Oooh la la Texas Group
Must have' knit-a-square t-shirts!
What do you call a non-knitter? Posted by Laura
Knit-a-square stats

GROUP NEWS:
Forum – the race for April
Ravelry.com tally
Facebook photographs
Square a day journal

NEW ON THE SITE:
Site Map
Knit-a-square heroes – a must read!
Free crochet patterns
Teacher Parent Resource

TIP OF THE ISSUE

Thanks to the Oooh la la Knitting Group, from Tezarkana, Texas who sent us this photograph and lovely message, which made Jo very happy.

A little more about that happy day!
Apart from wishing you could have been at the event itself, it would have been special to have shared with you the photographs to help illustrate the atmosphere and happiness of the day. I wonder if any of you recognise your squares in some of these blankets or indeed the blanket young Jamey was given?

Kugenka (in the middle) from Soweto Comfort Club looks out for this little HIV AIDS affected family, Kedibone, who is completely blind, Trudy and David. Sonja, who also volunteers for SCC, sewed this blanket and wrapped Kedibone in it which the entire family will share.

Daniel learns to knit and Hannah teaches little Batilele to draw
Daniel (Ronda's grandson) was so taken with the whole idea of knit-a-square, he insisted Erin (his mother) taught him to knit. I'm waiting to hear when his first square will be done, but as he is only 6, this is will be inspirational for all young children, especially boys!

While he was busy learning to knit, this beautiful little girl, Batilele (Bat-ee-lay-lay), who is looked after by her guardian and GREAT grandmother, Naomi Maele, (on the left), attached herself to his sister Hannah, who gave her some drawing lessons.

Batilele and her Great Grandmother, reflect the huge responsibility that has come to rest on so many African grandmothers and great grandmothers, parenting at a much older age, without the support from their children who have so often fallen prey to HIV AIDS.

Soweto Comfort Club Ladies
Here are all the ladies of Soweto Comfort Club together with some volunteers from neighbouring parishes. White City and Moletsane, and Pastor Sibusiso, leader of a flock in a local squatter camp, assembled on the day to hear Father Francis of Phiri Parish bless the occasion.

Colourful Soweto
Soweto is about more than poverty and home to hundreds of thousands of child headed families and AID orphans. There exists a wonderful sense of 'community spirit' in Soweto. For example, wedding receptions are impromptu affairs and very often on a 'bring and barbeque' (braai in South African parlance) basis, so that as many friends as possible can come along and celebrate – no restrictions and no costs involved.

Like all sprawling urban cities, Soweto scenes range from squatter towns to public amenities like this lovely public park right next to Regina Mundi church in Soweto. The church featured prominently in apartheid days as a refuge for 'enemies of state' and has bullet holes in the walls to this day to prove it. It's the biggest church in Soweto and heaves every Sunday, with the most fantastic atmosphere.

Heart-felt and heartening stories from Ten Thousand Homes
We are really excited about this project. Ten Thousand Homes is a young and vibrant children's charity working in South Africa to create more than just a home for the children. They have asked us if we could extend our knitting project to some of their children, and provided us a list of names.

Their video, recently released, aptly describes both the sadness and the hope.

For all of us, it is the message of hope that best fuels our desire to help. You will see in the faces of the children, as in the stories on the site, that given just a little in the way of education, home life, friendship and care, they respond with laughter and a willingness to learn, which may help to pave a future for themselves.

Please watch the video, and read more about Ten Thousand Homes and the knit-a-square project. Sweetness will make your heart ache, but she will also persuade you that we can, and must, help. Petros will fill you with joy and a sense of great hope. For these and all children who receive a gift of the hat, vest or blanket, it will mean more than warmth. It may give them a sense of belonging to a wider world, just a little glimmer of future possibilities.

Ten Thousand Homes have provided us with a list of names of children for whom we can make either a hat, vest or blanket. It is on the site together with a contact form. If you wish to knit and crochet for this project or toward a blanket for a specific child, please use the contact form. Kerry and Kalai have agreed to co-ordinate the list and let everyone know as we fulfil it.

Must have tee-shirts
We have a knit-a-square store! We have designed several t-shirts for young children, teenagers, women with the knit-a-square message or the Square Circle logo. I really hope you like them and would love – you guessed it – feedback!

What's going on the groups
There are some very lively conversations going on in the the forum and the ravelry.com group The most exciting is Race for April started by Kyla, being administered by Kerry and taken on board brilliantly by lots. Thank you all.

Here is Kerry's report as at 7.45pm GMT 6/4/09. Bellalou- Ravelry- 15 (1 hat)
Mbreeding – Forum -10 (4 hats)
Lola – Facebook- 8
Kokkole- Ravelry -7 (3 hats & 2 Vests)
Kerry Paris- Forum – 7
Kmouse2- Forum -7
Kyla (squareaday) – Ravelry- 6
Dumelaisuzu -Ravelry -5
Vortex12- Forum -4.5
Vortex's Grandma – Forum -4.5
Paulette Pronk – Forum – 4
Jeanne- Forum – 3
Zanny -Facebook -3
Andrea- Forum -2
Bev- Forum -2
Ruth – Ravelry -2
Kalai-Facebook -2
Kbeck -Ravelry -1
Erin -Forum -1
Michelle Gibson -Facebook -1
Lalaree -Ravelry- 1

So there we have it! 96 items in 6 days. That's an average of 16 items a day!

What a fantastic effort. I hope you will all join in this race and look forward to reporting on the total in the ezine at the end of April.

It is well worth joining the groups, as there are some wonderful photographs of great work, many shared patterns and just a sense of a developing community, all committed to making this project of ours work.

What do you call someone who is not a knitter
Laura posted in revelry.com
"Is there a word for non-knitters/crocheters like muggles in Harry Potter?
Along with a whole lot of ways non knitters/crocheters could help without lifting a needle/hook:

1. donate yarn, needles and hooks to people who can and will work on the squares (seniors who can’t afford supplies but make beautiful squares might appreciate this)

2. donate envelopes and shipping supplies

mail in squares on someone else’s behalf 3. post flyers at local community centers or churches

4. make an announcement at a local SnB session

5. make an annoucement on your fave social network sites or your blogs

And in answer to her muggle question, here is one of several responses from Roger (my husband).
Definition of a non-knitter. A knotta – when I knit, I not. That makes knotta lotta use as a knitter, and
knystery – I don't know how they do it.

I will post the rest to the ravelry group and the site when the knit wits page is up. We challenge you to come up with the best new terms to be announced in April's ezine.

New on the site

Knit-a-square heroes

I've been busy! Most importantly, PLEASE visit the heroes heroes page. These are the stories of the people who in these early stages have championed this project with energy and commitment. They are all doing extraordinary things.

Kyla who pledged a square a day as a busy, young college student, plans to visit South Africa when she has all the squares done and is now organising the first knit-a-square-on-the-go day at a local high school craft fair. Kyla also keeps a Square-a-day Journal and has been recruiting knitters wherever she goes.

Kerry who both created the forum and administers it and is doing a great job, initially had the idea of a-square-on-the-go for the i-knit-weekender craft show in London in September and is keeping a wonderful tally of the April Race.

Laura who started the ravelry.com group and continues to contribute regularly although she is just about to have her first baby. We all wish her well and look forward to letting you know in the next ezine.

Debbie who started the first school Square Circle and has a very committed band of young girls madly knitting squares, many of which have already arrived in South Africa.

Veronica, who aged 12 has already engaged people in her school and church to make squares and raised $100 that she may use to buy yarn and needles for poorer people who cannot afford to knit. (Two wins here, which is just great).

Jill, who has been so generous with her time in sending crochet patterns on the turn, when so many of you were asking if you could crochet.

Mary, who has contributed so many free crochet patterns and photographs, and is a great support on the forums and the group.

Several of you, including Kathy and Hedy, have made personal pledges of a hundred squares or more and have involved others in the same goals.

And many, including Paulette and Deacon Joy who have done a lot of investigation into the best way to mail parcels and boxes from the USA and whose information will soon be on the site to help you.

If we are to succeed at making 10 000 children warm this year, it will be in no small part because of the wonderful community spirit that you have created and continue to foster. You are a hero if you are knitting and crocheting squares, thank you.

WE HAVE PEOPLE SENDING SQUARES FROM 17 COUNTRIES.

A site map
The site has doubled in the last 6 weeks. I was getting completely lost myself. So here is a site map that tries to group the various aspects of the site from the project itself, the charities we work with, the community, patterns and so on. Please give me feedback. I greatly appreciate any comments that will facilitate more blankets for more children.

Parent and Teachers' Resource
At long last the Parent and Teacher Resource page is up. The goal here is to introduce the project to schools, teaching young children three things: why it is important to give, about the AIDS orphans (without overwhelming them) and what they can do to help – knit or crochet just one square. This project will empower children to believe they can make a difference.

I hope that you will take the time to read the page (especially if you are a teacher – I would love someone to actually review the book). It is on sale for $17.95.

Free Crochet Patterns
Great new vest pattern – courtesy of Mary.

Heritage Blanket
A different kind of a pattern book by Zanny and me, coming soon. It is almost done and I hope to have it up on the site in the next 10 days. Please have a look if you are visiting during that time.

Other news

Frequently asked Questions.
There is now so much information on postage, yarn weights and patterns. Kalai and I are slowly sifting through all this information and compiling it all to make a comprehensive set of FAQ's pages. This will happen through April. Thank you for your patience with some of the postage issues in particular. I hope you will stick with the project despite some of these teething problems.

PR and Press
During April we will start to write to magazines, newspapers and radio stations. Press releases will be on the site for you to download, if you would like to have a go at informing your local media about the project, all you have to do is top and tale them with news of your group or what you are doing, or just send them as is. The more who know, the more squares, the more blankets.

A Survival Guide
A thought from the middle of the night! Many of these young children head up families without the benefit of parents to guide them. What information and in what form, would help them with just some simple aspects of life, when they have so little: learning, first aid, nutrition, crafts.

If a young one in their family had a cold, for example, without medication or knowledge, how would they treat it? I thought perhaps eucalypt leaves (gum trees abound in South Africa) in a bowl of hot water may help.

Tamara from Mexico has given me a range of ideas already and lots of research to do. Perhaps we could compile a small knit-a-square illustrated, manual to go with the blankets, to which you have contributed any ideas you have. Just a thought.

If you think it is a good idea, please post a topic to the forums and contribute there.

Knit-a-square stats
Here are some stats to ponder on. I am sure they will be greatly increased by this time next month. March 27 03 09: 1831 squares; 9 vests; 22 sweaters; 1 shrug; 2 beanies. 1 220 feet (371 metres) knitted or crocheted.
If the average number of stitches per square was 1 000 that would equal 183100 stitches!

Before you go onto look for your name in the long lists below, I will sign off for now, wish you a very happy Easter, April race and many thousand of stitches xxx, with love and blessings, Sandy

The squares and garments that had arrived up to 27 03 09

Many hundreds of parcels had no names on them. Ronda has done her best to capture every parcel as it was opened and so it is not in alphabetical order. We apologise if there are any errors in the spelling of names or number of squares but ask for your generosity in accepting the speed at which much of this had to be done. We have not recorded vests, pullovers and hats in this list. We will publish that next ezine, when our record keeping is a little more mechanised!

Here you are then:

Received from the USA 08-11 March 2009

Alice Reynolds – 3sq, 3sq, Nanci Ziegler – 1sq, 3sq, Ms M Wendy Watson – 4sq, Nancy Burkitt – 6sq, L Hissiger – 2sq, 3sq, 4sq, Ms Cynthia Kandel, Judy Baer – 3sq, 3sq, 3sq, Marilyn Moran – 3sq, D Tonino – 2sq, Welsh – 2 sq, Irma McConnell – 3sq, Richard/Jean Dousay – 1sq, Marcy Stong – 1 sweater, 1sq, Kay Hunter – 3sq, 3sq, 3sq, Kathy Bittle – 1 sq, Kaija Alford – 3sq, Catherine Hovey – 2sq, Mary Chapdelaine – 3sq, Phyllis Wood – 4 sq, R Forbes – 4sq, Phyllis Albers – 3sq, Susan Bawden – 1sq, Gale Sokol – 8sq, Sibyl White – 3sq, T Belangia – 4sq, Jeanne Sample – 1 sq, Cecilia M Viegas – 5sq, Ms Christine Patch – 1sq, Melissa Langer – 4sq, Carol Weston – 1 sq, Susan Brickowski – 5sq, 5sq, M J Byrne – 3sq, Joan Emmanual – 3sq, Carter – 2sq, 2sq, Susan A Stein – 3sq, Debra Carpenter – 4sq, 4sq, 3sq, 4sq, 4sq, Micheline N Eldridge – 4sq, 4sq, Claudia Green – 3sq, Roberta Union – 3sq J Daniels – 3sq, 3sq, Donna Overton – 3sq, Mrs Elaine R Cooper – 3sq, Lucretia Vanolst – 3sq, Janice Kirkwood – 2sq, Alma Barocio – 1sq, Anon – Penn Valley CA, 1sq, Mrs Pat Clark – 3sq, Gary & Shirley Hickey – 3sq, 3sq, G Reekie – 3sq, Lucy Gedrites – 3sq, Gayle De Groot – 3sq, 2sq, Plunkett – Bornoke – Carm Charnas – 1sq, Ms Nancy Horney – 3sq, Marty Brosnan – 5sq, Culbreth – 3sq Karen Fontana – 8sq, Sheilah Vaccariello – 6sq, Jane Woodruff – 13sq, 14sq Karen Mondshour – 4sq, Maya S Patel – 6sq, Laurie Hake – 20sq, Yvonne Shreck – 3sq, 1sq, St. Andrews Knitting Group, Joan Adis and Gloria, Michigan – 7sq, Katherine C Sabia – 3sq, Janice Hill – 4sq, Barbara Wyka – 2sq, Mr/Mrs Richard Wyka –, M Lorch – 2sq, Ms Jeanne L Olson – 3sq, 3sq, 3sq, Eileen Hosey – 4sq Ms Libby Christie – , Oceanside Middle School – 4sq, 4sq, 4sq,4sq, Jane Woodruff – 8 sq +, Bob and Roxy Thorpe – Rumpf – 2sq, Ms Arlene P Walsh – 3sq, Mr/Mrs Walter F Brickowski – 1sq, Valeree Phipps – 4sq, 4sq, Cynthia Reamsnyder – 17sq Mrs Barbara Levine – 2sq, 3sq + more, Ms Betty J Ramsey – 4sq (+2 books) Florence Blum – 6sq, 6sq, 3sq, Nanci Tousignant – 3sq, 3sq, Geraldine Yee – 17 sq, Swarthout Family – multiple env. + sqs !!, Anon, Kingsford MI – 3sq, 3sq, 3sq

Received from USA – 14-18 March 2009(br> Rossman – 3sq, Ms Lynn Terrien – 3sq, Maureen Kaskel Wenger – 4sq, Kaye Garner – 1sq, 3sq,3sq, Mrs Sonia Van Zyl – 3sq, Wendy Harrington – 4sq, Ms Susan A Stein – 3sq, Miri Waterhouse – 1 vest, 3sq, 1 sweater, M Pelgrim – sq, Patti Swilley – 1sq,2sq, Mr/Mrs Michael Swilley – 4sq,3sq, Lauren Stanton – 1sq, 1sweater, Kathryn R Crouck – 1 sweater, 3sq, S Nielsen – 5sq, Bill & Joyce Tucker – 3sq, 3sq, Marnie Marino – 6sq, Eileen Hosey – 4sq, Nancy Schlimmer – 2sq,3sq,3sq,3sq, Carolyn Benes – 6sq, Mary E Amundson – 5sq, Gail L Betzig – 11sq, Gloria Barbiero – 3sq, Anon – Conway Arizona – 6sq, Pam Howser – 1sq, Jacobsen – 3sq, Rita Bator – 3sq, Nancy Wisman – 3sq, Faye Cheesman – 3sq, Joann Buettell – 3sq, C A Kunsman – 4sq, Arcata Bay Llamas – 3sq, Geri Anderson – 1 vest, 2sq, 5sq, 1 sweater, Kathy Braun – 5sq, Jeri Clark – sq, Sonja Cartwright – 3sq Patricia Parent – 1sq, 1sq, Barbara Corey – 3sq, Arlene Szabo – 1sq, 1sq, 1sq, J Pannaman – 1sq, Mary Smith – 3sq, Convery – 6sq, 4sq, Alyson L Desens – 3sq J Elliott – 6sq, Judith R Sargent – 4sq, Jim & Beverley Clark – 3sq, Anon. Carbondale IL – 3sq

Rec’d from USA – 20 – 23 March
Melody Dobbie – 12 sq , 4sq, Marian Bell – 2 beanie, 1 sweater, 1 vest, Ms Katherine C Sabia – 1sq, M Anderson – 7sq, L Minor – 3sq, Suzanne de Falco – 2sq, Barbara Volpicello – 3sq, 3sq, Guardian Angels Knitting/Croch Group. 12sq, Pamela Melton – 3sq, Mrs JoAnn Pochciol – 3sq, Jean Tokar – 3sq, Nancy Eastwood – 28sq, Mr Walt Weston, Eastview, KY – 1sq, Ms Linda Nelson – 3sq, S Vickery – 8sq, Mary Lynch – 5sq, Janice Kirkwood – , Lori Orr – 3sq, L Fissel – 10sq, Kathie Croce – 1sq Gabriele Forrester – 3sq, Geiger – 3sq, Susan A Stein – 3sq, Sharon A Crosby – 3sq Joane Duran – 17sq, Mrs Pamela van Melton – 3sq, 3sq, Bob and Donna Posvar – 3sq Susan Patt – 3sq, Rachel J Amado/Henry C Heil Jr – 7sq, Ms Mara L Williams – 3sq Ms Marcia Capella – 3sq, D Welker – 10sq (f), Joyce Morimoto – 1sq, 2sq Ms Marilyn Moran – 3sq, 3sq, Virginia Otto – 1sq, Ms Lisa M Miller – 1sq, 6sq Ruth Ray – 2sq, Doris Thompson –, Nancy Y Cory – 1sq, Michele Ross , 1sq + Maria Ward – 3sq, Holley Downs – 2sq, Gloria Folson – 3, Carol Montifiore – 4sq, Carol Hovey – 3sq 1sq, Tracy Jacobsen – 6sq, Anon. Van Wert – 4sq, Doris Thompson – 3sq, Lorna Duck – 6 sq, K D Williams – 3 sq, Jill Schoenig – 3sq Diane M Nowak – 4sq + letter, Mandana Ghaffarian – 4sq, Mrs Peggy Adams – 5sq Charlotte Biggers – 2sq, Ms Hanna Russo – 3sq, V Musgrave – 4 sq, Janet C Rhodes – 3sq

Ex USA … Opened after 23 Mar
Merrilee Pascaris – 3sq, Sue Gibson – 3sq, Maureen Genna – 4sq, Marsha McGahan – 3sq, N Nugent – 3sq, Christine Patch – 5sq, (f), 4sq, D Posmontier – 9sq, (env. torn) CA93112 – 1sq, Ms Enid Sparr – 1sq, Valerie A Nugent – 3sq, 3sq, 3sq, Su Clift – 1 sq, 1 sq, 3sq, 1sq, 3sq, S Ballance – 4sq, Tiffany Lampe – 4sq, B Del Pozo – 4sq Ms Giusti – 3sq, Marcia Field, Ms Marcia U Desalgado – 3sq, Ginny Taylor – David & Carol Duda – 2sq, Gilbert – 3sq, Gwen Kessler – 3sq, Vera Edwards – 4sq N Zecca – 3sq, Carol Hovey – 3sq, Bill & Wendy Clark –, Honour P Brinlee – 1sq Jean Montanti – 3sq, Olive St Clair – 4sq, Ms Tilda Sumerel 3sq, 3sq, 8sq, Ms Sunshine Redline – 4sq, Una Ratmeyer – 1sq, Ms Judith A Watson – 2sq, K Sansone – 4sq, Anon. Mentor OH – 3sq, Maureen O’Neill – 1sq, The Hodgells – 3sq Irma McConnell – 3sq, 3sq, Cathy Alford – 1sq, Alma Barocio – 1sq Anon. Jameson MO – 1sq, Jo Ellen Engert – 1 sq, Susan Van Winkle – 3sq, Cheryl Myrick of the Oooh-la-la knitting group, Texarkhana, – 14sq, Micheline Eldridge – 6sq, Janice Gassman – 6sq, Christine Pierce – 2sq, Iris Weissman – 4sq Beverly Eisenhaur – 3sq, Lee – 3sq, Valerie McCaffrey – 7sq, Mr Bryan Carlisl – 3sq Judy Laurin – 6sq, Nancy Robinson – 3sq, Betty Williams – 3sq, Kathie Grace – 1sq Helga Hachem – 3sq, Sorbeck – 4sq, Anon – NY11795 – 3sq, Jane Barnhart – 3sq Barbara Andrea – 8 sq, Anon. Joshua TX – 3 sq, Ms Sandra Jackson – 9sq

Last minute list from Ronda :
Mary M Jewell, R Lorshin, Melina E Hawkins, Deborah McQuillan, Joyce Scales – box Mountain View Community Churc -box, Donna E Wolf- box Joan Briar -box Andrus – Rosamund -box, Paulette Pronk – box, Sadhna Bangdiwala -1, Linda Silvan -2 Anne Lokke -6, Anne Warburton and Mark Earle – 6, Robyn Cottell -13, Sue Thumbedos- 11

UK: Karen Gentleman – 4, H Strachan – 13, Rev R. Almond – 3, Sutton Baptist church – 11, Anon. WR24VG England – 6, A Gilbert – 4, Angela Moss – 3, Pam Lee – 4, Sarah Nixon – 1, Elaine Jones – 3 , Jean Andrew – 2, Julia van Aardt – 2