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