Keeping You in Stitches -Volume 4

I continue to co author a knitting/crochet column for the local papers.  I had originally intended to post them all here, but have fallen seriously behind in that intent.

Perhaps this go round I'll get more of them in this journal.

    KEEPING YOU IN STITCHES

                                                          By Sandy and Elaine

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." Mark Twain

So, you have leftover yarn? Has your “stash” taken over the laundry baskets?  Have you made a hat, sweater, scarf or pair of mittens for everyone in your family and the neighbors?  I think anyone who has ever worked with yarn has leftovers somewhere in their house, no matter how deeply hidden. 

What do you do when this happens to you?  Tuesday Morning Hooks Yarns and Thinkers decided to use their extra yarn to become a part of the Knit-A-Square Community.  Knit-a-Square is a charity organization based in Australia.  They provide blankets to AIDS orphans in South Africa. The blankets are made from squares knitted and crocheted by folks all over the world.

Founder Sandy McDonald was born in Africa and lives now in Australia.   An aunt, who still lives in Africa, paid Sandy a visit.  Aunt Roda’s stories of the tiny orphans living in terrible conditions moved Sandy to try to keep them warm and Knit-a-Square was born in 2008. 

There are an estimated 1.4 million orphans in South Africa alone.  Every day over 500 children lose one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. Some of the children are ill and warmth can be vital to their survival. Blankets do more than keep the children warm.  They are also a way to raise awareness of the African AIDS epidemic and its impact on children across the world.

Both knitted and crocheted squares are acceptable.  Wool is preferred, but acrylic can be used.  Each square is 8 x 8 inches.  Twenty four squares make a baby blanket.  The squares are assembled in South Africa by volunteers. 

Knit-a-Square’s goal for 2010 is 400, 000 squares.  Our squares will make up a part of that total.  We would love to have squares from you too.  Instructions and information are available online at www.knit-a-square.com or come to the next meeting of Hooks Yarns and Thinkers, Tuesday October 4 at 9:30 a.m. upstairs at the Little Dixie Regional Library.  We’ve got instructions and instructors and loads of good energy to share.