Wanted: knitting activists to demonstrate some purling power

Great idea, but will this work over the long run?

Vor Aion | July 28, 2009 8:09 PM

Hey, ok, I get it, I guess - but does this really work?

Bingooo | July 16, 2009 9:33 PM

What a poignant way to remind us how many die unnecessarily. Wish my knitting was better so that I could contribute.

virtual office | May 15, 2009 3:36 PM

Can you help i looking to buy loads of knitted squares all differnt colours so i can sew them up my self to make some blankets.
im looking for loads of squares around 300 or even more can you help or know who can please call me on 07891461767 please call me on that as i am not on line at mo only check e.mails sometime so please call thanks. Mrs Lea.

mrs sue lea | April 23, 2009 1:48 PM

Hi,

Does anyone have a copy if the pattern used to knit jumpers/tops to send to Africa?

Many thanks
Sue

Sue Gray | January 19, 2009 12:21 PM

I would like to help with this and hopefully enrol my knit and knatter group. i will also add a link to this from my blog and website.

tamsyng | November 3, 2008 5:33 PM

Hi Jo

Unfortunately our campaign for knitted squares has now finished, but you may like to get involved in knitting other items for Oxfam.

Your local contact in an Oxfam shop may be interested in selling knitted items there. If you are keen on this idea then please discuss with the Shop Manager to see if this would be feasible for their shop.

The Shop Manager would need to ensure that there is a market for hand-knitted items and that the price would reflect the hard work you have put into the product. You can find the details for your local Oxfam shop at: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/content/shopfinder.php.

If your local shop is unable to sell knitted garments then we can still accept knitted blankets of the standard dimensions (6' by 4') to be sent to the warehouse for the time being. However, please be aware that your blankets may then be sold at a festival or other location.

Thank you again for supporting us.

With best wishes

Ian

Ian Sullivan | October 28, 2008 2:59 PM

Hi
I am a keen knitter, happy to make squares or baby clothes etc, wonder if you have any ongoing projects at the moment?
Thanks
Jo

jo | October 27, 2008 11:33 AM

Hi Liz,
The deadline is August 31st!!!! So we're almost there! If your squares are done, pop them in the post, as a volunteer, I'm anticipating unwrapping a few late comers next week.
Many thanks for getting involved!
Josephine

Josephine | August 29, 2008 11:46 AM

Are you still collecting knitted squares, or am I too late?

Liz | August 27, 2008 8:53 PM

How many stitches and rows make a nine inc sqare. My 89 nine year old mother will make some on her 'good' days

J Carter | August 9, 2008 11:17 AM

Manchester Oxfam campaigners have collected so far 850 knitted woollen squares for a Manchester Oxfam against Maternal Mortality blanket- the project is called MOMM:1400.

Our target is 1400 knitted woollen squares- the number of women who die everyday in pregnancy or childbirth because they cannot be attended by a doctor, nurse or midwife. So far we have received squares from all over Greater Manchester...and even international ones- from Dublin!We want to send a strong message from Manchester- MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR MOTHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD!

We have run a few events, and we have even organised a flashmob! Watch the video on:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b0rYtBarZjU
or check our My space page
http://www.myspace.com/momm:1400

Serena | July 16, 2008 3:31 PM

Hi Alison,

What a fantastic idea! This has to be a world first? I wouldn't worry about the wobbly patches though, I'm sure they'll come out great :-)

The main knitting content is at - oxfam.org.uk/knitting

We're still developing the section though so expect to see more over the coming few weeks as we do a big push on the campaign very soon.

Richard, Oxfam GB | July 4, 2008 4:42 PM

Hello!
40 senior section members of Girlguiding UK are entering the Tall Ships Race aboard the Lord Nelson from Liverpool to Malloy this summer. We will be the first all female crew of a class A vessel in the Tall Ships Race! As one of our challenges we are hoping to knit some squares for the oxfam blanket (they might get a little wobbly over the waves however!). I can't find the main article on the website, can you let me know exactly what we need to do and where to send them to? Many thanks!
Alison

Alison | June 30, 2008 11:27 AM

Hi there fellow knitters only four squares so far myself but 10 in total from friends etc. Also held a knitting workshop so more from there too!!

Please can people read the Oxfam statements properly, in no way will this be a waste of wool, time, money etc. the giant blanket will be unpicked and resold through Oxfam shops and festivals to generate cash and further awareness!! I can't wait to buy a blanket!

It would be great to think that we could directly send warm blankets to the developing world but in reality its not cost and resourse, effective.

Keep knitting!!

Elizabeth | June 20, 2008 12:45 PM

i too had several goes at doing the calculation (my most common answer was 7.1 miles). However, one member of my group worked it out very simply

the square root of 250,000 is 500

9 inches is .75 of a foot

500 x .75 is 375.

Therefore the blanket is something like 125 yards square. Quite big enough to make a point - but not 7.1 or 17.75 miles.

So should be able to knock that off myself this evening!

Anne TImson | June 16, 2008 5:18 PM

In case anyone wants to know you can still knit jumpers for needy children through the Feed the Children charity. See website.Hope you can help here too.

Seidel | June 13, 2008 1:43 AM

I'm starting mine now! I heard about this through my stitch and bitch group a lady brought a photocopy of this (from the big issue) info to the group! they were also concerened about what was going to happen to it after it is finished but I shall reassure them all thats this mammoth blanket shall not go to waste!

what concerns me that if we get 250,000 squares they will be

93,750 FEET SQUARE!!!!!!!

(17.75 MILES SQUARE!!!)

I'm pretty certain that my calulations are correct...

keep knitting ladies and gents :D

Sophie | May 23, 2008 7:41 PM

brilliant idea - lots of publicity at the time hopefully and fundraising money as well. Knitting needles at the ready - my daughter in Leeds told me about this - but I had to search the Oxfam website for details - maybe more prominent position on front page???

Bettie | May 10, 2008 8:55 AM

I think some people are missing the point - it's not about sending blankets overseas (it's already ben said that it's cheaper to source these in the destination country instead) but to make a big protest to get the government to sit up and take notice. A giant blanket will get the media attention the cause deserves and then the blankets can be sold in this country to raise funds to help in a direct manner with mdical supplies (more crucial than a blanket at this stage to the new mum and child)

The fact that such effort is going into this makes it far more potent than a petition or a postcard - this protest takes time and effort from every participant.

Brilliant idea - I'm all for it - A great stashbuster and a chance to make Downing Street sit up and take notice!

mandy | May 8, 2008 2:14 PM

Hi there :)
Great idea oxfam. It's going to make a huge difference to many peoples lives.
We're having a small problem though.. as there is no pattern we have no idea how many stiches there should be in a row. I think the highest we've tried is 55 and the smallest 45. Help would be great.

Good luck.

Sophee & Doris Hemmings | May 4, 2008 5:57 PM

I'm in but would prefer to knit something more useful, how do I contact others who wnow where to sent items ?

angela nichols | May 4, 2008 3:16 PM

I am the organiser of a band of knitters who are members of the Retired Senior Volunteers Programme in the Bristol and the West Region . We regularly knit jumpers, hats gloves, blankets for needy children in Rumania, and also in the UK. We would like to be included in this project. Just wondered about the logistics - this huge blanket is going to be very heavy and awkward to transport!
Maybe piles of smaller blankets would be better.

Shirley Stark | April 26, 2008 4:58 PM

What will be the finished blanket size? I would guess plenty of knitters would knit a real blanket & I would think finished blankets would bring more $ if they had a design instead of being higgledy-piggledy attached squares.

Also, what about rafflling them off in LYS?

Julianna | April 23, 2008 6:38 PM

It is interesting how many people would like to knit blankets to send, rather than as a demonstration, valid as it maybe.
I think that perhaps this is because sending something to a person in need provides a real link between them and us and helps us to feel that we giving practical, caring help. Its sort of 'cutting out the middle man', if you like.
Perhaps you would address this issue, otherwise a lot of caring energy will be wasted.
Antoinette

Antoinette Hookway | April 18, 2008 9:03 PM

What about crochet? Could those who can't knit (like me ahem!) crochet a square instead?

Editor: Crochet is great. Just make sure the square the same size.

Lindsay Hawkshaw | April 10, 2008 8:51 PM

oh yes! I'm in!
I love knitting but never really progressed past squares and scarves....finally a worthy outlet for my fidgety fingers :)

rachel | April 10, 2008 6:12 PM

I would love to help with the knitting since I am an experienced knitter. I am now retired and would like to earn some extra money knitting whatever has to be knit at the moment. Any suggestions?

esther laks | April 9, 2008 6:06 PM

Great idea. I've knitted 12 squares this week. I would feel happier if I knew the squares were going to be of use to the needy after the demonstration. Is there a possibility of knitting jumpers etc. that would be of real benefit?

Irene Pearson | April 9, 2008 5:13 PM

Fantastic idea. For those bored of squares, why not knit baby doll clothes? These could also represent disadvantaged babies and in my experience at the Bramhall Oxfam shop, they sell like hot cakes!

Wendy Wager | April 7, 2008 1:31 PM

Thanks to my daughter Sophie for passing this on to me. I am tuning up my needles in sunny Portugal and will forward to friends here. How about making this a worldwide momentum - I have friends who have family in Argentina, Spain......!!!

Jenny Coombes | April 1, 2008 9:33 PM

lovely to be knitting purposefully and raising awareness. Would be great if some of the squares were kept as smaller blankets and sent directly to babies and mum's who need them (much needed aid is not only and always about raising funds). Would be a shame if the squares just sat on a shelf in an Oxfam shop waiting to be purchased by someone who has less physical need of it.

Nic | March 31, 2008 4:18 PM

Great idea - unleash those knitter activists!

I think Steiner schools do knitting with their playschool mother and toddler groups. Could they be invited?

Keep up the incredible work

Chris Preager | March 31, 2008 10:43 AM

I work in a secondary school and we are presently learning about Human Rights, this will make a great project but I would also like to get parents involved. Is there any literature or promotional material available?

jackie | March 30, 2008 2:27 PM

Great idea,
Can we drop the squares off at a oxfam shop rather than sending them by post?

Sarah | March 29, 2008 12:47 PM

I am happy to knit squares,please email any further info

Ann | March 29, 2008 9:23 AM

Hi, happy to help.
claire

claire edwards | March 28, 2008 9:23 PM

My grandma always used to knit for Oxfam - when sweaters and blankets were sent out. She didn't have much but she always gave. I will be really pleased to contribute to this powerful statement, and in her memory too

Teresa | March 28, 2008 7:21 PM

@Mollie - Yes we will absolutely let you know (via our website) what happens after the hand-in

@Laura - Glad to have you onboard! The reason we're going to split the giant blanket up and then sell it in the UK (via our shops and festivals) is because mums and babies need more than just warm clothing.

The money raised will go things like medical care, training local nurses and doctors, schooling etc etc, as well as clothing.

If we manage to get to 250,000 squares knitted to hand-in to government, that's a huge amount of people standing up and saying "no" to poverty, and demanding that the government acts. It will send a message so loud and so clear that they won't be able to ignore it.

Doing both the 'giant blanket petition' and then breaking up the blankets to be sold is a win-win situation.

Richard, Oxfam GB | March 28, 2008 6:16 PM

A great idea and one that will be very enjoyable to fulfill. I presume we will get feed back on the results and how the smaller blankets will be distributed?

Mollie | March 28, 2008 1:33 PM

I'm told that Oxfam used to give out simple knitting patterns in different sizes for children's sweaters which then would be distributed overseas where needed. I'll knit boring old squares for blankets if that's what's wanted but I'd far rather knit warm woollen sweaters for cold kids.

Laura McBrien | March 28, 2008 10:25 AM

Happy to knitt and help:-))) Can't wait to start.

sasha | March 27, 2008 11:25 PM

I'm in! Lovely idea. Any stich preference or wieght preference?

Lizzy | March 27, 2008 10:29 PM

finally kntting for a reason! I'm in, where do I send it to once its done?

Nicky | March 27, 2008 2:33 PM

Live near Leeds. Would be willing both to knit for the project ( started already!) and help with turning the mega blanket into smaller, useful ones. I presume that's the ultimate purpose?

Kaye | March 27, 2008 9:53 AM

I'm in!! Does it have to be plain stocking stitch or a 9 inch square using s pattern of one's choice?

Tanya Bartley | March 26, 2008 9:53 PM

i work with children in a health club doing art and craft projects at weekends. am teaching them to knit and would love to help. Do you have any literature or posters to get them motivated to help, and to get their families involved.. thank you

Patricia Harris | March 26, 2008 9:04 PM

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO HAVE JUST MADE LOTS OF KNITTED BLANKETS AND JUST SHOWN THEM IN A PILE......THEN RE DISTRIBUTED THEM AFTERWARDS

Janet | March 26, 2008 8:16 PM

Great to see so many responses to this article. The blankets definitely will not be thrown away afterwards! We don't send blankets overseas anymore because it is much cheaper to source them in the country where they are needed but the finished blanket will be made into smaller blankets to be sold to raise funds for our projects.
For example, in Yemen, Oxfam has a programme training midwives and health workers because less that 25% of people have access to basic health services and women cannot afford maternal health care.

Sarah, Oxfam GB | March 26, 2008 6:45 PM

Wow! It's incredible to see so much enthusiam for the project!
We wouldn't dream of wasting the giant blanket. After it's been handed in it will be split into smaller blankets which will then be sold in Oxfam shops and at festivals, with proceeds going toward Oxfam's work in poor countries. Looking back, I probably should have said this in the blog in the first place so you didn't all have to ask!
I've updated it now though to hopefully make things a bit clearer.

Richard, Oxfam GB

Richard | March 26, 2008 6:25 PM

Good idea... but I shall wait for your response to Mel., Gwen, Sarah, Jayne, Alice, Frances and Sal , who are questioning the wisdom of collecting all those squares somewhere in Leeds (???) What will they be used for afterwards?
I assume that their existence can be certified by some reliable authority [ J. P. ?} to impress "Government".
Hope the idea can be suitably modified so more people [ and I ] can start knitting with a clear conscience. best wises

Anne-Marie | March 26, 2008 4:25 PM

What a great idea! I do hope the squares will be put to good use after they have made their point though.

Ann | March 26, 2008 11:51 AM

I agree that unless the blanket is used for some purpose it is a pointless exercise.

Sue | March 26, 2008 10:23 AM

I'll tell the members of our knitting group in my tiny welsh village. We've already sent hundreds and hundreds of hand-knitted garments to HIVAIDS kids in Africa. I'm sure they'll join in PROVIDED we are assured that the end result is turned into blankets for the needy!!!!!!

Jennny | March 26, 2008 9:17 AM

I am willing to help assemble the completed squares into normal blankets for distribution afterwards as well as making a square for the campaign.

Mai | March 25, 2008 10:24 PM

I'll knit some squares...but I want to knit for real blankets too....

Lucy Sobrero | March 25, 2008 8:56 PM

Excellent idea, will get friends and family involved aswell!!! If people pull together it's got to make a difference and an impact on hopefully the people who can really make change happen!

Julie Power | March 25, 2008 3:15 PM

think this is a great idea but what will it be used for in the end?? hope they can be made in to lots of 'normal' blankets to help the mums the campaign will help

Sal | March 25, 2008 2:13 PM

Sounds like a good opportunity to get the practice to begin knitting again! I want to learn about crochet, so shall try and get a square done that way, hopefully with a group of others to keep our spirits up!

Faith Kenrick | March 25, 2008 11:38 AM

Sounds like a good opportunity to get the practice to begin knitting again! I want to learn about crochet, so shall try and get a square done that way, hopefully with a group of others to keep our spirits up!

Faith Kenrick | March 25, 2008 11:38 AM

Great idea! Even better if afterwards the blanket will be divided back into normal sized blankets and put to practical use too.

Frances | March 24, 2008 7:15 PM

I would to love can to help them!

natercia p souza | March 24, 2008 1:21 PM

I think you'll find that most knitters already spend a great deal of time knitting for others. Better to knit for people who need warm clothes and blankets than for ridiculous publicity stunts that will be ignored by everyone but the organisers.

Alice | March 23, 2008 3:20 PM

i shall be knitting the squares but what happens once the blanket has serrved its purpose????? it should be used to help someone practically.

jayne mcintosh | March 23, 2008 1:36 PM

I'd rather the squares were made into blankets that could be used, rather than a 'sort-of' anti-poverty demonstration.

Don't you think the squares would be more useful going to the children/relatives of the mothers that died?

Sareth | March 23, 2008 1:23 PM

A great idea! I will definitely take part in this and I will post a link to this page from my own blog karenscuriositycorner.blogspot.com

Karen Hands | March 23, 2008 9:39 AM

Will you continue to collect knitted squares so that actual blankets are given to the mothers/babies/old people in the third world?

Gwen | March 23, 2008 9:02 AM

Great idea - count me in! Don't forget to trawl your Oxfam shops for donated balls of wool or old woolly jumpers - recycle and campaign at the same time - how perfect is that! Wouldn't it be a good idea to get Oxfam shops to accept squares for posting - with postal charges now assigned on bulk the cost of posting might put some people off.

Diane | March 22, 2008 7:27 PM

As a Bereavement Support Midwife, I am all in favour of highlighting the loss of life due to pregnancy, but I can't believe Oxfam is going to give away 250,000 knitted squares which could provide warmth to babies or pregnant women throughout the world. The Government representative won't recycle this blanket, but will probably throw it away. It should be made as a gesture, then unpicked and resewn to make smaller blankets for the Third World.

Mel | March 22, 2008 5:26 PM

Fantastic idea guys, cannot wait to get started. There are too many bored mothers in hospital waiting rooms who think about others in a similar situation but don't know how to help. Nice one.

Mandi | March 22, 2008 7:59 AM

I've started mine already and at the rate I knit I should have it made by september!

Emma | March 20, 2008 7:33 PM

El ser humano siempre en primero lugar.
Sea elle quien for.

Antonio da Silva Ortega | March 18, 2008 1:22 PM