Update on Funsani Blanket Project

I am delighted to say the response to the project has been wonderful. I am now cracking on joining donated squares. With the 45 blankets that I now have and the promise of many others to come we should be able to send a good number of blankets out to Zambia in March.

I told the Manager at Funsani about the response and he is delighted and very grateful for everyone's efforts.

In the meantime I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a good 2009


Kathy Henry

Ladies of the New Forest

No. It isn't "Children of the New Forest, it is the "Ladies of the New Forest" who have been busy knitting sqares in Verwood. My thanks to you all and especially to Dorothy for collecting them in and getting them to me.

The Welsh Connection

Here are a fantastic collection of blankets from the ladies in Greenfield, North Wales. It was lovely to meet you all when I called in to collect them when we were in the area.

Knit Knatter Club

My thanks to the members of the Knit Knatter Club in Cherry Willingham for this lovely donation of sqaures - enough for 2 blankets.

Blankets from Devon

Thank you to Jean in Taunton for these 2 colourful blankets.

Arts & Craft Exhibition

This weekend found me knitting away at the St Andrew's U.R.C. annual Arts and Craft Exhibition. I had a display on my visit to Funsani Hospice and on the Funsani Blanket Project. There were a number of the blankets on show which made a very colourful display.

Squares, squares, squares

My thanks to all who have given or sent to me squares.
I returned from my recent trip to Scotland with lots of squares from Dumbarton and Edinburgh - thank you ladies.
Since my return more have arrived - including a blanketsworth from a 91 year old Lady in Suffolk
Thank you all.

Fly Apakombwele

Here, Dr. Apakombwele Chisuse, Director of Funsani UK, is modeling a blanket donated at St Andrews United Reformed Church in Reading. Apakombwele was one of the founders of Funsani Hospice.

Colourful Squares

Thanks Win for this bright and breezy blanket which will keep a little one warm.

British Handknitting Week

Mary and her group of knitters in Greenfield in North Wales, have been busy making lots of blanket squares over the last few weeks. To mark British Handknitting week, they are getting together on Sat 18th October to sew them all together to make blankets for the Funsani children.
Well done and thanks to Mary's Bingo Group, neighbours and family for their support.

Kajo's Knitters

These squares that were knitted by customers of Kajo's Hair Salon in Wokingham are set out ready to be joined. Thanks for the support.

Keeping the Children Warm

Kate's Mum knits a lot and as well as getting a lovely blanket, sent these colourful, cosy jumpers, all delivered by her son. Thank you and I will try to get them out to the children for Christmas.

My First Blanket

I had hoped to be the first to finish a blanket but Rita beat me to it. However here is my first completed blanket. I had a huge 500g ball of red, hence the checkerboard effect.

I think the next one might be quite stripey as I am now using a lot of odd pieces of wool that have been donated - thanks Lila - it all adds up.

Big and Small

Hazel of Reading donated these 2 colourful blankets.

The First Blanket

This complete blanket was donated by Rita who got busy during the summer when the Scottish Dancing Class was on holiday. Thanks a lot Rita.

Edinburgh Donation

Thanks Linda for this

large donation of wool.

I can see a lot of blankets

being made from this.

Donation from Basingstoke

Thanks Serena for your donation. It will certainly keep me busy.

Wool Donation

Thank you Pat (Lower Earley) for this donation of wool.

First Steps

My first few squares - big things from little things grow!!

Kathy

Knitting Squares - Method 1

Squares can be made using Double knitting wool.

4 ply can be used if 2 strands are used together.

They should be 15 cm / 6in square. (It is easier joining them up if they are all the same size.)

Each blanket will need 70 squares - 7 squares by 10 squares

Guide- Method 1

I use size 8 /4mm needles.

Cast on 1 st and turn.

Inc in 1st stitch then Knit to end of row.

Continue increasing 1 st at beg of each row like this till the sides are just 15cm / 6in.

Then start decreasing 1 stitch at beg of each row till only 1 st remains -pull through.

Most colours are fine except white.

Feel free to be inventive with stripes etc - this is a good way to use up small amounts of wool.

I will be happy to join squares, but if you or your group is making enough squares for a complete blanket you might want to join them yourselves.

Please contact me for details of where to send squares.

Thank you on behalf of the women and children.

Knitting Squares - Method 2

Squares can be made using double knitting wool.

4 ply can be used if 2 strands are used together.

They should be 15cm / 6in square. (It is easier joining them up if they are all the same size)

Each blanket will need 70 squares - 7 squares by 10 squares.

Guide - Method 2

Cast on 30 stitches. Knit for 15cm /6in using garter stitch.

I use size 8 / 4mm needles but you may need to adjust size of needles or no of stitches to get the right size squares.

Most colours are fine, except white.

Feel free to be inventive with stripes etc - this is a good way to use small amounts of wool.

I will be happy to join squares, but if you or your group is making enough squares for a complete blanket you might want to join them yourselves.

Please contact me for details of where to send squares.

Thank you on behalf of the women and children.