2024 BARN ACTIVITIES

12360193490?profile=RESIZE_710xThe first opening day for the KAS Barn in 2024 was January 9.  

This discussion will focus on all the weekly activities that take place on

Tuesdays as our volunteers gather together to open parcels, 

sort, organized, pack and distribute all things KAS.

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  • A Year. Where does time go to . When you read the figures regarding the blankets your ladies have completed. Elaine and her knack for resizing and not to mention poor Sheldon's arms holding up all those blankets, all I can say is Thank you, Thank you. You are amazing people. When one reads your update it gives us an extra push to knit faster and send more squares. More for you to complete and more for Sheldon's arms to hold up the blankets. Well done.

     

  • Estelle reflects on the past 12 months...

    Can you believe that it’s been one year since we have relocated to our new KNIT-A-SQUARE venue. We’re grateful that Ronda has encouraged us to continue with the passion we all have…to warm and comfort vulnerable children. Elaine is holding our candle to celebrate our first year…no candles to blow out on cakes since Covid!
    12934075462?profile=RESIZE_400xAudrey, Sheldon, Elaine, Estelle and Liz
    12934076454?profile=RESIZE_400xSuch a pretty square.
    12934076500?profile=RESIZE_400xAren’t these gorgeous? I 💙 the seahorse Amy.
    12934078055?profile=RESIZE_400xWhat a treat…35 neatly bundled squares all the same size. 
    12934078894?profile=RESIZE_584xA super large parcel from The Czech Republic. Thank you Šikovné Ruce Pomxi and your team for these 350 squares.
    12934080864?profile=RESIZE_400xSheldon has a way with arranging toys.
    12934082884?profile=RESIZE_400xBlanket of the week. Wow Sharon B this is one exquisite blanket…the perfect choice of colours.
     
    It has been a most successful year considering we only meet once a fortnight. Liz, Audrey, Ana, Sweetie and I have made 457 blankets, the majority coming from Liz and Audrey. Elaine has made and resized 422 squares and Sheldon must have held up over 600 blankets to be photographed.
    12934083287?profile=RESIZE_400xAll the way from Australia thank you Wendy Hinson we love your blanket.
    12934083887?profile=RESIZE_400xLiz made good use of your squares Antoinette Nothling surrounding granny centre square.
    12934085077?profile=RESIZE_400xLove your smiley face Bev Jeffery.
    12934085893?profile=RESIZE_400xA happy blanket to put a smile on any child’s face.
    12934087067?profile=RESIZE_400xMy Christmas blanket thanks Elaine for the fluffy star squares and Sharon Bedgood 😢for the PJ’s and squares in squares.
    12934087873?profile=RESIZE_400xThis one I just enlarged the exquisite center panel.
    Without our incredibly talented and generous contributors this would not be possible.
    12934088084?profile=RESIZE_400x
    • Indeed time flies!   It's always a thrill to see your smiley faces + wonder what this cheery team are chatting about every meeting- if only I could be a fly on the wall.   Well done folks, we appreciate you all xx

  • From Estelle and her gathering on August 27...

    As the weather is getting warmer in Johannesburg we were able to move outside for our KNIT-A-SQUARE ‘opening’ morning. Once again the post is pouring in…our worldwide and local contributors are certainly keeping us busy sending beautiful, colourful squares.
    12922707298?profile=RESIZE_400x 
    Everyone doing their bit…from knitting the squares, sorting and bundling ready for the fabulous blankets
    KNIT-A-SQUARE produces for the vulnerable children.
    12922708468?profile=RESIZE_400xBeautiful granny squares, teddies and beanies from Lesley King.
    12922709463?profile=RESIZE_400xThe cutest little soft animals included in Claire Leeson's package.
    12922709872?profile=RESIZE_400xFabulous blankets from Antoinette Nothling's team plus squares, beanies and hand warmers.
    12922710267?profile=RESIZE_400xA riot of colour from T Green.
    12922710290?profile=RESIZE_400xThe toys we received this month delightfully arranged by Sheldon Bolle.
    12922710893?profile=RESIZE_400xThis memory popped up on my Facebook page today….can you believe it was 5years ago Vivenne?
    For our many new members this pic was taken in our old barn.
    12922712075?profile=RESIZE_400xSheldon Bolle you’re a star ⭐️ once again thanks for all your help today and “ looking after” us oldies.
     
    Some of our blankets this week...
    12922713658?profile=RESIZE_400xThis one’s from me, Estelle - thanks for sharing these beautiful flower squares Viv.
    12922716067?profile=RESIZE_400xThank you Diane Burns for your fabulous Christmas blanket.
    12922715689?profile=RESIZE_400xThis one’s from Lesley King. 
    12922716269?profile=RESIZE_400x9 blankets from Liz today.
    Love your owl Liz Gyldenhuis…Ada Breeuwer will love it.
    12922716660?profile=RESIZE_400xFabulous farm square Bev and so we’ll put together Liz.
    12922717883?profile=RESIZE_400xLovely PJ’s from Gail.
    12922718083?profile=RESIZE_400xAnd now for Audrey’s blankets.
    A fabulous blanket to add to our Christmas pile thanks Audrey and all who sent sent the super squares.
    I spy some of yours there Sharon Bedgood.
     
     
     
     
     
    Thanks Ronda for joining us, the post and transporting all our blankets and goodies to Kempton Park. It’s always great to catch up.
    12922708070?profile=RESIZE_400x
    • I'm amazed to see my Christmas parcel has arrived already, posted on 2nd August, being opened on 27th August. If that is snail mail then I'm happy😄. Wonderful blankets on show.

  • The Barn Activity from August 22...

    The morning at Knit-a-Square was full of activity and the time disappeared before we were able to finish opening our post … then today (Friday) Bernard was called to collect a whole lot MORE!
     
    Wonderful the way our post is pouring in … it gives us such hope and allows our Bryanston ladies to keep busy also!
    12922373898?profile=RESIZE_400xHundreds of teeny squares from a chemo clinic … a difficult time for knitters we acknowledge, but after having supplied all the wool AND leaving clear instructions as to our requirements, we WERE a little disappointed with the results.
     
     
    12922377056?profile=RESIZE_400xHundreds of teeny squares from a chemo clinic … a difficult time for knitters we acknowledge, but after having supplied all the wool AND leaving clear instructions as to our requirements, we WERE a little disappointed with the results. 
    12922378881?profile=RESIZE_400xCompleting my fourth blanket this month - sitting down in the Barn is unusual
    but after a cortisone injection I was feeling a bit “elderly”.
     
    As always - THANK YOU to our amazing contributors for continuing to keep us busy providing warmth and loving encouragement to the growing numbers of orphaned/vulnerable children in Gauteng alone. We are enthusiastically breaking ground in new informal settlement areas since moving to the East Rand.
    12922370696?profile=RESIZE_400xWhat a beautiful blanket from Patricia!
    12922372256?profile=RESIZE_400xWe LOVE this little gift but have no idea who sent it sadly… hoping the sender recognizes it and knows how it touched us all.
     
     
    Delighted to receive the final consignment of 6 boxes from our dear friends Elaine and Pam in UK - after 15 years of their sending large boxes full of KAS items twice a year or more, they are taking a well-deserved rest !
    12922368283?profile=RESIZE_400xHuge van delivering our K4L boxes.
     
    12922366275?profile=RESIZE_400x
    There they are … can’t wait for next week.
    12922370073?profile=RESIZE_400xThe transporter team enjoying tea and chocolate cake.
    Enjoy the pics.

     

  • The Barn was filled with activity on August 15. Here is Ronda's report...

    Yet another busy Thursday in the KASbarn … this time with a SPRING -CLEAN done by Viv and Wandi and a BIG beanie sorting marathon thanks to Jan … 
    12859117287?profile=RESIZE_400xSo thorough … lifting all the pallets to sweep and dust.
    12859118272?profile=RESIZE_400xJan, our beanie queen …
    12859119072?profile=RESIZE_400xAbly helped by Viv and Wandi.
    12859119488?profile=RESIZE_400xNeatest storeroom.
    12859119870?profile=RESIZE_400xLooking the other way … how wonderful!
     
    Wandi 2 drove across Johannesburg (literally) to the West Rand Clinic Oncology Centre where chemo patients have been knitting squares for us over several years, while undergoing their treatments … ♥️ … wool and knitting needles supplied by KAS.
    12859110878?profile=RESIZE_400x
    Wandi 2 off to the West Rand with more wool.
    12859115088?profile=RESIZE_400xStarting to count the oncology patient squares … mostly teeny weeny ones.
     
     
    Enjoy the pics …
    12859120462?profile=RESIZE_400xViv sewed this blanket up during the week.
    12859121280?profile=RESIZE_400x… and Wandi 1 made THIS one (Wandi 2 would like to take the credit 😂)
    12859121484?profile=RESIZE_400xLindi settling at her table to start the morning … many piles to sort out.
    12859122860?profile=RESIZE_400xAn unusual shaped scarf.
    12859123286?profile=RESIZE_400xWandi 2 explaining to Jan the complicated “lobola” system in South Africa,
    which can cause young lovers to make an extra long journey to the altar.
    12859123692?profile=RESIZE_400xAmazing what one finds amongst the beanies ! A cute little head-band.
     
  • From Estelle on the August 13, gathering day...

    They say there are 133 days till Christmas. The stunning Christmas blankets and squares are starting to roll into KNIT-A-SQUARE…what creative contributors we are blessed to have.
    12801990296?profile=RESIZE_400xFrom Patricia
    12801991494?profile=RESIZE_400xAudrey’s fabulous Christmas blanket I think it’s her first this year.
    A few of your Christmas squares are incorporated into this blanket Cathy Riley.
     Sharon Bedgood, how do you like Sheldon’s new Michelin tyre shoes?
    12801999684?profile=RESIZE_400xStunning squares and beanie sets from Sharon Bedgood.
    Thanks Sharon you know what puts a smile on our faces this time of the year.
     
     
    We used today’s opening session mainly to sort our odd sized squares into bundles as there has been a lull in the post and not many parcels to open. I collected knitted items and squares from La vie Nouvelle yesterday which together with the post we received, should keep us busy till our next meeting.
    12802013052?profile=RESIZE_400xA lovely soft blanket for one of our smaller children. Thank you La vie Nouvelle.
    12802002452?profile=RESIZE_400xThe dearest little jumper from La vie Nouvelle.
     
    Thanks for spoiling us again Sheldon by making our tea and coffee and serving us. I couldn’t take the pics with you soooo thanks!
     
    Liz and Audrey never fail to bring their beautiful blankets for our Show & Tell so here goes….
    12802008687?profile=RESIZE_400xAnd now some blankets from Liz. Lovely squares from Gail and Ada’s famous Ellie’s.
    12802011086?profile=RESIZE_400x
    Audrey’s brought 9 blankets today including her Christmas one.
    Audrey has had a wonderful time making use of Gail’s beautifully knitted PJ’s in so many of her blankets.
    12802015655?profile=RESIZE_400x
    Bev Jeffery'ss hen and goat…love the goat and I think these stunning squares are from Carol Rawlings.
     
    12802023501?profile=RESIZE_400xMore from Gail and Bev.
    12802025658?profile=RESIZE_400x12802030687?profile=RESIZE_400xHomage to the flag of South Africa.
     
    One from me…Sharon B’s car and all the blue/ yellow squares from Elaine Joubert.
    12802032300?profile=RESIZE_400x
    https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12802017073?profile=RESIZE_930x
  • From Ronda and the team on August 8...

    Hi to our KASpeople ❤️
     
    A few pics taken over the last two weeks in the barn and at various distributions made.
    12790093097?profile=RESIZE_584x12790084657?profile=RESIZE_584x
     
    Icy weather persists so we are working hard to deliver warmth and love to the children most in need.
     
    We are being kept busy with dozens of community service hours accreditations for high school kids as well … as stream of them coming to deliver their work - no pics for obvious reasons - but it’s good to see that today’s youngsters are made aware of the struggles of so many of their peers!
    12790117863?profile=RESIZE_584xPrecious Wandi
    12790120653?profile=RESIZE_584xPortia and Michael visiting with LOTS of blankets.
    12790122466?profile=RESIZE_584x12790123296?profile=RESIZE_584xLindi, Wandie and Norma
    12790124493?profile=RESIZE_584x12790126498?profile=RESIZE_584xLots of folding to do before the blankets are stacked on the shelves.
    12790117863?profile=RESIZE_584xWandi shows us a blanket she stitched together.
     
    Thank you for ongoing support … we are blessed that Knit-a-square has been sustained over the last 16 years through the incredible support it has received from you ALL !
    Knit-a-square
    Knit-a-square. 14,920 likes · 4 talking about this. Helping to keep the orphans of South Africa warm.
  • From Estelle on July 30...

    All ready for KNIT-A-SQUARE opening day with plenty of post to keep us busy and an almost clear table.
    12754911270?profile=RESIZE_400xAfter 10 years at KNIT A SQUARE I still get excited about the post.
    12754911282?profile=RESIZE_400xSome of the lovely squares from Carol Rawlings.
     
    Thanks for visiting us Ronda and taking all the beautiful blankets, toys and goodies our incredible contributors send us.
    12754911687?profile=RESIZE_400xRonda, Sheldon. Audrey and Liz
    12754912088?profile=RESIZE_400xAlmost forgot all the fabulous toys we received today. Thanks Sheldon Bolle for arranging them so beautifully.
     
    As we don’t have shelves to pack, a cake to photograph and hundreds of blankets to fold please bear with us if there are similar photos every opening day. Our show and tell is a way of getting the blanket pics to The Blanket Room on The Forum.
    12754912857?profile=RESIZE_400xThis fabulous blanket arrived in the post from Chris Chiplen.
    12754912478?profile=RESIZE_400xAnother one from the post thank you V Goodwin…love your colour combination.12754913054?profile=RESIZE_400xOne of the 9 blankets Audrey brought today.
    12754913256?profile=RESIZE_400xThe ladies at Kempton Park sent this one to us think it’s from Bev Jeffery.
    12754913091?profile=RESIZE_400xAda Breeuwer does it again…you never fail with your gorgeous animal squares Ada.
    12754913654?profile=RESIZE_400x Sheldon's blanket of the week. Stunning bird squares from Bev Jeffery and PJ’s from Gail. Thanks Audrey for stitching it together. 
    12754913673?profile=RESIZE_400xSuper squares from Sherryl Fontuin one of our local contributors. 
    12754914063?profile=RESIZE_400xAnother local contributor I think…Nellie Potgieter?
    12754914466?profile=RESIZE_400xAnd now for Liz’s creations. I love the way you added the “ potjie pot “ ( a cast iron African three -legged pot) to Amy's heart square in a blanket made up with the colours of our flag.
    12754915255?profile=RESIZE_400xLove these squares thanks Ana Forssman.

    12754915278?profile=RESIZE_400x
    Combined effort- stunning knitted squares from Bev, crocheted together by Elaine Joubert and I crocheted the border.
    12754915687?profile=RESIZE_400xLiz handing out a blanket to a shivering guy on a cold Mandela Day morning.
     
    https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12754915278?profile=RESIZE_930x
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