Blankets for Funsani

One year on - The Final Chapter

2010-02-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

Yes it really is a year since my last post. Here is a final update on the Funsani Blanket Project.

Things never happen quickly in Africa, but eventually the blankets arrived at Funsani Hospice and have now been distributed to children at the hospice and those looked after by the Funsani Women's groups in Kwacha and Chantete. The TV cameras were apparently there to record the event. A huge thank you to everyone who helped to make the project so successful.

As you will see the Final Total was nearly 300 blankets - what a result!!!!

From the Guernsey Girls

2009-02-28T22:28:00.000-08:00

These blankets arrived from Bridget and her Mum - such lovely bright colours. Thank you so much, and for sending your photo with them.

THE GRAND TOTAL

2009-02-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, the amazing Grand Total is

286!

This is just WONDERFUL.

It means that all the children who are supported by Funsani will get blankets to keep them warm AND also children that are supported by another orphanage. This is just terrific. The blankets will be on their way to Zambia next week and should arrive in time to keep the children warm next winter. Well done everyone!

I really must congratualate and thank all of you who have supported the project - it has been an amazing experience running the project and I know that the blankets will really be appreciated. How I wish I could be there when they arrive.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Maidstone Blankets

2009-02-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

Kath in Maidstone delivered these 12 blankets having roped in family, friends and neighbours to make squares for Funsani Blankets. The blanket on her lap was made from squares made by girls at the school where she works.

Thanky you all for your efforts.

Glasgow blankets

2009-02-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

My thanks to Margaret in Clarkston who sent these 2 lovely blankets. Much appreciated.

Busy in Twyford

2009-02-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

Sue delivered these lovely blankets from some ladies in Twyford.

The children will find them lovely and cosy. Thank you.

Blankets from Ayrshire

2009-02-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

I recieved these 2 blankets from Angela in Kilbirnie.

The pink and blue one is made from offcuts of felted wool and looks lovely.

My thanks to Angela and her Mum.

More from Tunbridge Wells

2009-02-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Another 2 blankets arrived from Angela in Tunbridge Wells - thank you.

Blue Borders

2009-02-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Joan from Sutton who has sent another 2 blankets with these lovely blue borders.

Addlestone Group Contribution

2009-02-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the efforts of Jenny in organising the "Addlestone Knitters" I came home with all these lovely blankets on Sunday.

Great stuff ladies - thank you so much.

Blankets, Blankets,Blankets

2009-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

After a lovely holiday I have returned to find many of you have been working furiously to get blankets to me before the end of February deadline. So quite a few posts to follow.

I can say that running this project has been an amazing experience.
Just wait till Sunday and you will see how busy people have been working away for Funsani Blankets.
Only a few days to go now - the postman is still being kept busy!

Kathy

Postie Postie

2009-02-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

My you have all been so busy - Brian is getting worried that I am becoming too friendly with the postman as lots of parcels have been arriving.

Not long to go now till the Grand Total will be revealed on 1st March.
Great work everyone.

Kathy

Lou's Ladies

2009-01-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

While I was up in Scotland I met up with Lou and her daughter at the Brewer's Fayre at the Forth Road Bridge so she could pass on to me the wonderful efforts of her band of helpers.

Here is a photo of Brian and I with their blankets all loaded up.

Thanks a lot ladies - your blankets will be heading off to Zambia at the beginning of March

Working together in Norwich.

2009-01-29T15:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Barbara and the local shopkeeper in Sprowston collecting in squares, these blankets arrived for the children. Thanks Barbara for doing your bit.

Busy in Barnton

2009-01-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

I recieved these lovely blankets from the ladies of the Barnton Methodist Church.

Thank you all for your efforts

Natural Dyes from Essex

2009-01-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Pamela and friends in Essex for their squares. I gather some of them were dyed from plants which included Broad Beans, Juniper Berries, Forsythia, Sunflower, Lavendar, Marigold,Onion skins, and brocolli plus others.

Here they are in their lovely muted shades.

Milngavie Ladies

2009-01-29T15:31:00.000-08:00

In Scotland I visited the Craft Group at the United Free Church of Scotland in Milngavie and collected the blankets they have been busy making. It was lovely to meet them all and be able to tell them about the children who will be getting the blankets.

Here I am with them having our picture taken for the local newspaper.

Dumbarton Group

2009-01-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

Thanks Eleanor for getting the ladies in Dumbarton and Helensburgh busy knitting.
I made 4 blankets from the huge bag of squares and strips.

Lost in Scotland - No not quite

2009-01-28T07:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry folks for it being some time since I updated the Blog but I have been in Scotland. While there we collected from 3 groups ( details follow) and we would certainly have been cosy if we had broken down on our way south. Since my return I have been sorting out squares received and getting on with the sewing up - fortunately I now have some helpers.

All your efforts are much appreciated and I am really looking forward to getting the blankets on their way at the beginning of March.

I am suspending the Blanket Counter for the moment as I plan to make an announcement of the GRAND TOTAL at the beginning of March - just to keep you all in suspense.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Blanket Deadlines

2009-01-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you and all the best for 2009

Funsani Blanket Deadlines
The deadline for squares is the end of January.
For complete blankets you have till the end of February.

Update on Funsani Blanket Project

2008-12-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-17T14:32:00.000-08:00

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

Arts & Craft Exhibition

2008-11-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

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

British Handknitting Week

2008-10-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hazel of Reading donated these 2 colourful blankets.

The First Blanket

2008-09-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks Linda for this

large donation of wool.

I can see a lot of blankets

being made from this.

Donation from Basingstoke

2008-09-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

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

Wool Donation

2008-08-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

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

First Steps

2008-08-05T01:32:00.000-07:00

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

Kathy

Knitting Squares - Method 1

2008-08-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

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.