A Wonder-Wool Cause

By Merissa Bush

BEAN volunteers gather together to knit blankets for children in Africa

The Knit-A-Square movement started as a family project in South Africa, 2008. An Australian family, the McDonalds, visited their extended family in South Africa and having learnt about the number of orphans suffering in that region, they collectively paid a visit to various local orphanages and donated a number of blankets that they had hand-knitted to help children impacted by AIDS and poverty. 

While in Africa, they realised the extent to which children needed warm blankets, that even though they had done so much, their efforts were seemingly marginal. They put out an appeal for people to knit squares that could later be sewn into blankets and received 54,000 knitted squares in 2009, and even more in 2010.

Their goal for this year is to receive 500,000 squares, which can then be sent to South Africa.

Merissa Bush, a teacher at Yew Chung International School in Shanghai and lifelong knitter, caught wind of the project and decided to introduce it within her school to students in years 5 to 13 as a charity project in late February. It was so successful that BEAN president, Sheila Seiler, decided that the volunteer organisation should get on board as well, and asked Merissa to introduce the project in April 2012. 

The Knit-A-Square BEAN events have since garnered such a following that they now take place twice a month, happening at various locations around the former French Concession, 1.45 - 5pm every other Saturday (specific information about each individual session can be found online).

Led by Merissa and BEAN co-leader Alison Yong, participants can get together to knit 20cm/20cm squares on donated needles and yarn within a span of three hours.

The group consists of a mix of new and advanced knitters, a range of skill levels that benefits everyone, so beginners need not worry if they have not knitted before. So far in Shanghai, a total of 420 squares have been completed, making a total of 21 blankets.

These sessions are a great opportunity to meet new people, learn a useful skill, and support a worthy cause at the same time. Mistakes are made, but there are plenty of people participating, locals and foreigners alike, who can help repair whatever 'design elements' surface. And the work speaks for itself. Patch by patch, Knit-A-Square is making a difference in aid of a worthy cause.

Merissa Bush is the Project Director for the Knit-A-Square BEAN event. BEAN Shanghai hosts events that help young professionals connect and contribute to the local community, creating a vibrant atmosphere outside of work.  For more information, visit http://shanghai.beanonline.org and www.knit-a-square.com.