Knit a Care Square – 2024 – Real Time Heart-Based

Another wonderful year bringing together people from near and far. The amazing contributions. So many squares! Even from WA, QLD, TAS and VIC and NSW. And so many donations to those in need in the community.

2024 Summary

This year once again reflected an amazing effort from so many. We thought we’d share a little about what some hubs and others we collaborate with, have been up to.

Elizabeth Rise Community Centre (ERCC): enjoyed compiling an amazing 149 blankets from KACS donated squares and several Knit and Natter groups across the northern suburbs. They also directly supported the local homeless youth program with another 16 blankets! Thanks Silvia, Jenny and Co.

Treasure Boxes Hub: enjoyed knitting, designed and joining a range of different sized blankets for the needs of young families in need. As well as the 81 blankets, they also produced 124 pram blankets, and 99 doll blankets for the many dolls that were also donated. Thanks Jill, Rose, Judy, Chris, Karen, Robyn, Anna and Co.

Hubs in the North: thank you for the many squares, ends sewn in and joining of blankets! The roles that so many of you play, helps things to flow so well. Thanks Gloria and to Meredith, Linda, Andrea from TTG U3A Crochet and knitting group,

Hubs in the South; thank you for the many kits made and blankets completed! Over 200 blankets produced! Such a wonderful interactive flow between you all. Thanks Kay and to you all, Margaret Copley, Gwen, Audrey, Janene, Jenny, Jeanette, Sue R, Titia, Bee Bee, Sue L, Pat, Janet, Barb, Raelene, Judy, Cyndy

Hubs in the East, West and regional: thank you to those who donated your time with knitting, joining, ends, ties and hearts. The ease of flow is building in these areas, so thank you. Thanks Sarah (Reach Physio + Rehab) being central to the ebb and flow in the west. And to Pam in the East, who connects and updates.

Knit and Natters (Knit 4 Charities): thank you to Pam and all the local groups associated with these organisations. As well as knitting 3389 squares, the groups joined there own blankets (as well as donating many other items to charities). Thanks to Pam and everyone who coordinates a gathering in various areas (metropolitan and regional).

QLD: Bribie Island donated 14 knitted rugs to their Neighbourhood Centre, who distributes to the homeless in their community or those relocated due to DV. They recieve some donated yarn from members of the community. Given they only knit in winter months (it is otherwise way too hot!) they have done amazingly! Margaret and Co. And to others in QLD who passed on the AKWAK. They really appreciated your contributions.

Tasmania: we have a drop off spot at Knits Needles & Wool in Launceston Tasmania. They have been doing their own work for the community (their craft group is involved in charity projects). While they didn’t receive KACS squares, they said they are still open to receive them for anyone living in Tasmania. Thanks Kathy

Victoria: while we don’t yet have drop off spots in Victoria, we do have knitters! The knitters in Kaniva have contributed many squares this year, and thanks to Sharon who coordinates events from the Kaniva LINK Neighbourhood Community Centre. In fact we visited this year and ran a workshop around the whole process, from squares to blankets. Read blog here. There are also individuals contributing around Melbourne. We hope to have a contact person to send your squares to in the future.

2024 overall KACS directly donated 654 (+ not included in this tally; Knit for Charities over 100, TB an extra 124 pram blankets, Bribie Island 25, plus many more not recorded)

Some of the beautiful blankets made

How these blankets come together

The way KACS blankets come together is unique. We do not set any goals or require people to commit to a specific amount or time frame. This approach is based on what people feel and enjoy and want to do. We feel it has been instrumental for the wellbeing of everyone.

Many say they love that there is no pressure. It feels good. Without pressure, many people have voluntarily taken on new roles, to fit with where they are, and what is happening in their life, at any given time. And somehow that all works!

We call it ‘holonomy’ – an important way to work together, where people use their natural skills and capabilities to flow into roles that serve the overall purpose. Things move creatively and freely. So thank you to everyone for the part/s you play.

Thank you

Knitting squares: To all the people who have knitted or crocheted squares. To the individuals and the groups! Too many to mention you all. A few though, Pasadena Village Knitting group, Knit Wits, Karidis Craft Group.

Sewing in ends: Making the joiner’s job easier! Thank you everyone! Just to name a few, Janene, Di, Chrissie

Kit designers: So many of you make squares and design your own. Others work with the squares received. Just to name a few; Margaret, Gloria, Titia, Jill

Joiners: To so many who are taking on this role, thank you! Where a simple square becomes a beautiful blanket. To the new joiners thank you. Too many to name, but to name a few; Gwen, Meredith, Carol, Judy, Audrey, Janene, Talma, Linda, Mignon, Janine, Dragica, Elise, Di, Donna, Dianna, Sue Edom… If you’d like to become a joiner, let us know here.

Blanket Edgers: Some take on the role of crocheting a beautiful border. Thank you

Wool donations: So many people donate wool they may choose not to use anymore. Thank you for generously sharing.

Heart Makers: Many of you crochet your own hearts to place on the blankets. Thank you. And many of you receive the heart that Kathy Bryker has produced (in droves! Thank you). If you want to learn how to make hearts, visit here.

Blanket ties: We know many also produce their own, thank you. Then there are those who donate a heap with their square drop off. Then there are people like Sarah and Kathy who make heaps and keep us going.

Drop off spots: to all the businesses, homes and other locations, who have offered their locations. You have made the process possible. Many thanks. If you want to know about these spots, visit here.

Pick ups: To the many people who offer to pick up from locations, either drop off spots, or homes, carparks, or other places to make it all flow! To name a few; Meredith, Gloria, Kay, Linda, Sarah, Maggie

Online Zoom: To Audrey and Chris who have volunteered their time to be part of the zoom offering. It has been an on / off approach, when needed / if needed. Thank you. If you’d like to attend zoom, let us know, here.

New hubs / hosts: To people who have opened up their homes, or worked from community locations. Those of you who have gathered people in ‘real life’. It is a lovely way to share this. To name a few: Gwen, Sarah, Baptist Church St Marys,

Swipe cards: To everyone using their drakes community tag, raising funds for KACS!!! With the funds raised, we purchase the blue joining wool that we add to the kits for joiners. We aim in most instances to purchase our signature blue colour that seems to compliment most blankets – if available or suitable. If you would like a Drakes Community Swipe Care, and don’t currently have one, contact us here.

Where the blankets were donated

The blankets went to range of organisations including;

Treasure Boxes, Salvation Army, Veterans Association, Foodbank, Terra Firma, Scotts Church, St Vincent De Paul, CHATS, Food on the Table, Puddle Jumpers, Pathways, Mt Barker Memorial Hospital The Big Issue, RUFuS, Baptist Care, Marion Life, AKWAK, Wrap with Love, Piplajara, APY Lands and Arnhem Lands, Aged Care in Alice Springs, Veterans Association, directly to rough sleepers around Adelaide.

We’d love to hear from you…

Thank you to each and every one of you, what ever role you have played. You have read our summary, however we would love YOU to share a little about how you have been involved, and what it has brought for you.

You can actually make a comment on this site (it is a safe, secure and ad free site). To do that you just need to sign up to our free community membership here (signing up is only to give you the opportunity to make comments on this or any other post).

While we do photograph every blanket on our Facebook page, we know that some people are not on Facebook, so we hope this is a way to include and share from more people.

Memorable moments

Some memorable moments throughout the year included;

Joy from Cumberland Park Community Centre (CPCC) story about the children at Westbourne Park Primary School donating wool to the craft ladies, who in turn made squares and blankets. A joint program with ECH, Mitcham Council and the schools. The children are wanting to be more involved next year.

Kym from Roma Mitchell School engaged a project that had their students (with the help of teachers and parents), learn to knit and crochet and produce their own squares! They have yet to be joined into blankets, but I hear Gloria has passed them on to Meredith, and we hope to see the fruits of their effort soon!

We continued our contribution and support to AKWAK in SA and QLD. It was lovely to see they were passed on to children affected by war. AKWAK pass on other items as well and do an amazing job with what they do. Well done Liz and Co. for what you achieved in 2024.

So often we donate to people directly on the street. This year one special moment was through Gwen noticing a rough sleeper, and forwarding it on to him. It was very appreciated.

Our History

We began KACS in 2017. If you’d like to read about how it all got started, you may want to read this blog here.
Over the years (2017-2024) we have grown and changed. We now have hubs that kit, join and pass on directly.

2024 directly donated 654 and involved with another 124 pram rugs TB, over 100 with Knit and Natters, 25 Bribie Island, ERCC 16)
2023 we donated 747 (plus Knit for Charities completed 113 single bed blankets!)
2022 we donated 715
2021 we donated 541
2020 we donated 475
2019 we donated 332
2018 we donated 43
2017 we donated 17

2025

We will be continuing to support all our local community organisations, as well as others as the need arises. We also hope to run a ‘Darn and Yarn’ to once again get everyone together who can meet in person, to share stories and get to know more about KACS.