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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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