35 Squares
It takes 35, 8 inch (20 centimetre) squares to make one blanket for an AIDS orphan.
Many members of Knit-a-Square are fiber artists. They create magnificent images on a canvas of wool to the delight of all who see them.
By Anneke
By Linda
By Robin
The most important square for the orphans of South Africa however, is the
Plain Jane
A Plain Jane is a simple one yarn, one stitch square. When possible we sew one artistic square with 34 Plain Janes to make our blankets.
One of our members, Anne from Canada, has written a beautiful poem that explains of the importance of “PJs”:
THE “PLAIN JANE SQUARE”
I’m just a ‘plain Jane’ square
Nothing fancy, nothing grand!
Just a ‘plain Jane’ square,
Made by a loving hand.
You think I’m not important?
Well, think again, my friend!
‘Cause many other ‘plain Janes’
When they’re joined end to end
Will keep an orphan warm at night,
Wrap ‘round them on cold days,
And tell them that they’re loved
In, oh, so many ways!
Even if you have never knit or crocheted before, you can master a Plain Jane in no time!
Won’t you give it a try? Here are the links to free KAS patterns:
BLANKET SUPPORT – A new shop item to support the Gogos
Hi everyone!
You may remember a few months ago, we mentioned that we were introducing a program which allowed us to financially support some of the communities of volunteer Gogos who do such a beautiful job sewing up our squares into blankets.
You can read more about this exciting initiative in Excitement in Evaton and Tea with the Sisonke Gogos. (You should definitely re-read these stories when you have the time!)
This project has proven to be quite a success, and we’d like to be able to continue this support, and possibly even expand it to other groups of volunteers in the future!
To this end, we’ve added a new shop item:
Blanket support for a Gogo
For just $5 USD, you can provide blanket payments for one or more blankets, supporting the women in the KAS community who in turn support us and the kids.
As well as the immediately obvious benefits (beautifully assembled blankets), supporting these women has great trickle on effects for their families and community. We’ve often heard stories of these older women becoming primary caregivers for very young children, or supporting other members of the community by providing child care or other important help. Financial support for these women also supports many other people in the community.
In supporting the Gogos by sponsoring a blanket support payment, you can be a part of this initiative to help the whole community.
A SEWING KIT FOR THE GOGOS: NEW SHOP ITEM!
Hi everyone!
We've got a new item up in the shop today, specifically in response to some of the feedback in January that you wanted to (a) be able to support the Gogos who do such a fantastic job assembling squares in South Africa, and (b) have more options to make donations for less than $10. We bandied a few ideas back and forth with the SA team, and borrowed a few thoughts from the New Year thread, and we have a few great ideas for new shop items. This is the first of them!
Our wonderful team of Gogos (older women) in South Africa use these sewing kits to make up all of the donated squares into blankets, but that’s not the end of it. A sewing kit also makes it possible for them to repair or even make their own clothes, blankets and other valuable items.
Depending on individual needs and interests, a sewing kit might include some combination of scissors, needles, thread, pins, yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, fabric, or various other vital crafting tools and materials. Your donation will be helping these women to help us, and to help themselves.
For just $9, you can purchase one of these sewing kits now from the Sewing Kit page on the KAS shop.
All the other shop items are still there too, so keep an eye out for something which touches you, maybe Fuel for the KasVan or some Snacks for a Distribution?
* Please note $9 is strictly representative of the average cost of a kit, as precise costs can fluctuate from case to case. All KAS Ops Sponsorship donations are added to a common fund, used to cover operational costs in South Africa.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS TO KAS SNIPPETS
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
to KasSnippets
What is KasSnippets?
KasSnippets is our monthly newsletter intended to keep readers informed of what is happening at Knit-a-Square and throughout the KAScommunity.
Who reads KasSnippets?
We hope that all Forum members and possibly non members read our newsletter. In short, KasSnippets is available to readers from all over the world from many varied backgrounds and cultures.
Why Invite Guest Writers?
It doesn’t matter where you live in our great big world, if you are helping to create warmth for the children in South Africa, you are a valued member of our KAScommunity. Since KasSnippets is our community newsletter, we would like to give everyone an opportunity to contribute.
KasSnippets is a perfect platform for anyone who would like to try a hand at writing a one-time blog, share a good idea, inform us of something wonderful, make us giggle, or share a good news item.
If you would like to be a Guest Writer, please remember these few things:
PLEASE:
– Keep your piece around 300 words. Remember we are a “snippet”.
– Always be respectful, upbeat, and positive.
– Don’t share personal views on politics or religion.
– Remember to consider how others will perceive what you write.
IDEAS FOR ARTICLES:
– History of the Square Circle Forum
– Insights into the beauty of your part of the world
– A poem or something humourous.
– Something factual such as success stories of a SA child who made it out of the informal settlements and built a life
– An informative piece on JAM,
– Profile someone you know who is “giving back” by serving in Africa or in their own community.
– There are many good news stories … you aren’t limited to things KAS-focussed.
If you need to lay down your needles and hooks for a bit, perhaps you will “pick up a pen” and share your writing talents with us. We would love to hear from you.
Submissions may be made by Private Message to either
Gloria Grandy or Valerie Zalewski.
ALL SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED WILL BE READ AND ASSESSED BY OUR EDITORIAL PANEL.
IF YOUR PIECE IS ACCEPTED FOR INCLUSION IN KAS SNIPPETS, WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN TO WATCH FOR IT.
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