We are blessed to have so many big-hearted people volunteering at the barn. In this episode, Norma shares with Leanne what first drew her to Knit-a-Square and what it was like to become a regular on opening days. We hear, too, how it felt for Norma when she got to go on her first distribution at the Lion Park informal settlement.

This is the final episode of this short season, but look out for a bonus episode to follow. If you have not yet listened to earlier seasons of the podcast, be sure to look them up on the Acast platform where they are hosted under the name Knit-a-Square. To everyone who has shared the podcast with friends and family, thank you!

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Long-standing KAS members Pam Johnson and Elaine Jones share with Leanne the process they followed in setting up a Shropshire-based charity called “Knit for Life”. The charity makes it possible for them to send large quantities of squares to South Africa on behalf of dozens of local knitters. Recorded in October last year, this interview is jam-packed with great ideas and lots of laughter, a real tonic in an otherwise difficult period in world affairs.

If you have similar inspirational stories to share with the Knit-a-Square family, please get in touch with Leanne to let her know.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sounds and feel of Athelé’s visit to Perfuri near the northern tip of the Kruger National Park are captured in this episode as she chats to Leanne from her spot under a tree. We hear the excitement of the children who receive toys, and feel with Athelé her wish that more could be done to reach all the young ones in the community.

The tiny toys that were distributed were specially selected from the hundreds that come into the barn because space in the car was so limited. Generally, the toys that KAS hands out are of a size that a child can cuddle. Thanks to all our contributors who generously send soft toys, handmade and shop-bought, because the joy they bring to those who receive them is beyond words.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Leanne chats to Valerie Zalewski in France. Valerie has been a member of KAS since 2012 and is a keen crocheter, using her large stash of yarn to make squares and toys for the children.

Of special interest is Valerie’s story of how she came to learn about Knit-a-Square in the first place. It is a reminder to us all that curiosity, nurtured and acted upon, can lead to life’s most rewarding discoveries.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna has been a volunteer at the Knit-a-Square barn for about three years and is passionate about compiling squares into blankets. In this episode, she chats to Leanne from a friendly coffee shop in the midst of her morning’s routines, explaining how she came to be involved and what motivates her to work so hard at what she does.

The blankets that Anna and others bring into the barn are colourful and bright, guaranteed to put a smile on any child’s face. Be sure to visit the Blanket Room on the KAS website to see and be inspired by the myriad wooly creations we get to distribute in Gauteng and beyond.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a long break, but I’m back with another season of the Knit-a-Square podcast, sharing news and interviews with our wonderful members from South Africa and around the world. In this episode, I review some of the conversations I’ve had with members in previous seasons, then share some of my own news.

Full disclosure, I’m rather out of practice with podcasting. It was necessary to edit out some splutters and bits where my sentences got too tangled up to make any sense. Time was also limited, so the result is imperfect. Still, imperfections are evidence of authenticity, as they say, and I offer this to you as the best I could do under the circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leanne’s daughter Tammy joins her on today’s podcast to chat about their morning at the barn. Tammy is a psychologist in training and has experience working with patients with anxiety. She shares some interesting findings regarding knitting, crocheting and other fibre arts.

This is the final episode of season 2 of the Knit-a-Square podcast. You are welcome to go back and listen to previous episodes from seasons 1 and 2, and if you have any suggestions for future episodes, please get in touch.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joy Evans is a keen knitter of PJ’s and is glad to know they are welcomed as the backdrop to beautiful picture squares contributed by other members. Speaking to Leanne from her home in Arkansas, she shares her passion for Knit-a-Square and the chance to let the children know that someone cares.

In this episode you will also find details on the measurements of squares and how to prepare them for posting. Sometimes puzzling problems arise, such as when a square turns out much too large or a blanket edging looks more like a frill. Leanne has some solutions to offer from her own experience which may prove helpful to listeners.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July is Mandela month in South Africa, but this year’s Mandela Day was marred by social unrest. Listen to what the volunteers at Knit-a-Square have to say about it, now that things are returning to normal, and experience some of the lively atmosphere in the barn as they open parcels, fold blankets and sort squares.

Leanne welcomes feedback on the podcast and is always on the lookout for members who will come on as guests. We love to hear about the special interests of our members around the world. Please get in touch if you have a story to share or just want to make a suggestion for a future episode.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace Weir has been a member of Knit-a-Square for 11 years, and her friends in Dorchester, Dorset have helped her contribute many blankets and accessories for distribution. As she shares with Leanne her love of yarn, knitting, card-making and a range of other crafts, her enthusiasm for helping others is infectious.

You are probably aware that a spate of violence and looting has engulfed KZN and Gauteng lately. This, in addition to the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, is putting enormous strain on poorer communities. Please keep South Africa in your prayers and help in whatever way you can. Even sharing this podcast with a friend is an act of kindness, since it is a way of telling others how they too can make beautiful handmade blankets, beanies, hand-warmers and toys for our most vulnerable children.

Show host: Leanne Hunt.

Email address: [email protected]

Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [YouTube Audio Library] © Creative Commons License.

Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.