The knit-a-square vests - free knitting patterns to keep a child or orphan warm.

If you are looking for free knitting patterns which are also great knitting projects for beginners - and wait, it gets better - will make a difference to abandoned babies, children and orphans in Africa living with AIDS, then these simple little sleeveless vests will do all of that.

If you are learning how to knit, need to practice, or are an advanced knitter, try these online knitting instructions for our vests.

Then please send it to Africa to add to our efforts to keep the millions of orphans, as a result of AIDS in Africa, warm.

The full extent of the tragedy of AIDS in Africa remains mostly hidden as these small children battle to survive without love, shelter, education and warmth. If you love to knit, you can help with the last.

Soweto Comfort Club gave a vest to this little boy while distributing blankets and clothing to the children of the Methodist Parish Soweto in May 2009. The Square Circle forum member who had knitted it, wrote to say they had recognised it from the photograph.

Knitting a vest for a cold child in Africa is like putting your protective arm around them.

Choose from the range of knitted and crocheted 'square vest' patterns below.

Patterns for Knitters

	Grace’s Ribbed Vest This vest is stretchy, which makes it great for growing kids, with sturdy shoulder straps.
	Robert’s Ribbed Slip-Over The rib in this vest means that it will stretch over many different sizes and shapes, while keeping warmth close to the skin on cold nights.
	Wendy’s Slip Over This vest allows for a generous overall length especially for KAS Care children to accommodate potentially swollen tummies.

Or try some of our other knitting sweater and square patterns.

Patterns for Crocheters

	Crochet Slip-Over This simple slip over is made out of simple crocheted rectangles. It’s so simple, even beginner crafters can make it! Please use a soft yarn as the children may wear these slip-overs against the skin.
	No Sew Crochet Slip-Over This slipover is worked from the top down, beginning with a rectangular yoke. This means that there is no hand-sewing required to finish. Please use a soft yarn as the children wear these slip-overs against the skin.

Or try some of our other crochet sweater and square patterns.

There has been a call for larger vests for up to 12 year olds. By increasing the number of stitches or knitting needle sizes you can easily make larger sizes. Please consider this, as the older children need to be warm as well. As with the blankets made out of the 8 x 8" knitted squares, the children will treasure these garments for their colours and patterns as much as for the warmth that they will give them.

Click here for the posting instructions.