Knitting seems to be enjoying a "comeback" of sorts lately. I can't believe all the beautiful projects I see on Pinterest and other places around the web.
My mother is an EXCELLENT knitter (and crocheter) but unfortunately none of her talent rubbed off on me...mainly because I am a "leftie" and I could never grasp the skill while watching someone doing it "backwards". :-)But I may have to give the knitting thing another try after being introduced to a wonderful cause my Mom has been knitting for.
Here are a few words from Mom:
I have been knitting and crocheting these little 8 inch squares for a couple of years now, and it is one of the best projects I have ever participated in. Anyone who can knit or crochet can do it, and you can share this project with all of your friends. I have shared it with a couple of ladies groups and they are all happily knitting and crocheting squares.
It makes it so worthwhile when you see the smiles on the faces of these little darlings all wrapped up in their new little quilt. As for yarn, many people have lots of extra they would be happy to get rid of, and you can even find it in some in the thrift stores, so it doesn't have to be an expensive project. They do love bright colors. I hope you will all love doing this as much as I have. Remember, as Jillee says, "we CAN make a difference!"
It's called "The Knit-A-Square Project" and their goal is to collect 8" x 8" squares from knitters around the world, which will be sent to South Africa and assembled into blankets by a local charity called the Soweto Comfort Club. The blankets are being produced to provide comfort and warmth to some of the many AIDS orphans there.
There are an estimated 1.4 million children in South Africa who have
lost their parents to AIDS-related causes.
So if you have ANY skill at all in the knitting or crocheting arena (AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T!) and want to get in on this worthy effort...you can simply go to knit-a-square.com where you can find everything you need to get started. The website offers pattern instructions for squares as well as hats, vests and pullovers, how-to videos, and directions for mailing your creations.
For those of us who need some instruction: (Thanks Mindy!)
Let's start a viral movement!
Make sure you tell everyone you know about the AIDS orphans in South Africa who so badly need our help and how we can ALL make a difference!
Knit a square....warm a child....is today's.....
I knit and went to South Africa last summer. We took lots of yarn and I taught several wonderful women to knit. My sister-in-law and I worked with a group called Phakamisa that supports grandmothers who are raising their orphaned grandchildren. Thank you for calling attention to this project. I've seen first hand what a difference it makes.
ReplyDeleteJillee,
ReplyDeleteI am a leftie too. I have 5 "girl" cousins and my grandmother taught us all how to knit, cross stitch, embroider, etc... I can cross stitch. =+( I could never get the hang of learning it all backwards either. I may have to search out a leftie that gives instruction. This is a great project. Thanks for sharing
Jillee, as a fellow leftie, I feel your pain! I have a good friend who very patiently taught me the basics of knitting; most of which I have now forgotten! I did find a tutorial on cyberseams.com that includes written instructions and video tutorials, broken up in sections depending on where you are stuck! Here's a link!
ReplyDeletehttp://cyberseams.com/how_to_cyberseams.php#knitting_lefthanded
Oh wow!! Thank you Mindy! I just watched the video and I think I can DO this! I'm going to add it to the post. Yay...I'm excited! :-)))
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I crochet edgings around flannel blankets (out of one layer if it is going to a warm climate, or two layers if it is going to a cold climate). I use the Sharp Crochet Hook because it goes through the fabric much easier than a normal crochet hook (you don't have to prepoke holes in the fabric first if you use the Sharp Crochet Hook). It makes it quick and easy to give a custom hand made gift to someone in need.
ReplyDeleteOh, if you are interested, they sell the Sharp Crochet Hook here: www.sharpcrochethook.com.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! Anyone can do an 8 inch square. I wonder where we send them...i better go back and read it again. :o)
ReplyDelete♥charlotte
Love this idea! Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I will participate. Jill, you could probably create your squares on a loom of some kind- that might be easier for a leftie! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jill! I knit and crochet, so I will be sure to add this to my list as well!
ReplyDelete"mainly because I am a "leftie" and I could never grasp the skill while watching someone doing it "backwards". :-)"
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at this, because my mother wouldn't teach me because I was a leftie, and then years later, she said that she realized that if I was facing her, it probably would have worked. Never could crochet past a long line, but may have to try now.
Thank you so much for posting about this. My mom, who lives with me due to a traumatic brain injury, has been crocheting blankets/ground mats from plastic bags for the homeless of our community. This will be a great project for her as well. Her crocheting has been something familiar to her from her past which has helped in her recovery. I can't wait to show her this site.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone. I actually went out and purchased my first pair of knitting needles and some yarn today! I was actually kind of NERVOUS! lol. I don't know why this is so intimidating to me. But I'm going to do it if it kills me. :-) I'll keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteMake sure and keep us posted on your squares! I would love to post pictures!
Anybody who has trouble learning how to knit or crochet, if your town has a Senior Center or a retirement home, I'm sure their staff can put you in touch with a patient teacher! In fact, some of may even want to join in the project.
ReplyDeleteI have been knitting and crocheting these squares for a couple of years now, I love it! Any one who can knit or crochet can do it. If you can't, you can go online or buy a book and teach yourself. I did. You can share this project with your friends. It makes it all very
ReplyDeleteworthwhile when you see the smiles on the faces of these little darlings all wrapped up in their new little quilt. As for yarn, many people have lots of extra they would be happy to get rid of, and you can even find it in thrift stores, so it doesn't have to be an expensive project. They do love bright colors. Remember, as Jillee says, "we CAN make a difference!"
I love you Jillee. :)
ReplyDeleteawww...I love you Jenny :-)
ReplyDeleteI just finiished an afghan and have yarn left over. I was wondering what to do with it, something quick and simple, and this is a project that fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteI knit and I've been looking for a new cause. I will have to check this one out. Children and our military are always tops on my lists.
ReplyDeleteI taught myself to knit about 5-6 years ago. I sure wish I had all the free videos on YouTube back then. I knitted backwards (through the back loop) for several months before I figured it out. There are several on left handed knitting as well. I believe A New Stitch A Day has left handed videos. With the cameras behind them you see what it should look like while you're knitting, no more trying to figure it out watching backwards. Just thought I'd share.
Ila and Vikki....thank you. :-)
ReplyDelete