Knit-a-Square
Leanne Hunt
If you love to knit or crochet, and if you've ever wished you could do something to brighten up the lives of children affected by HIV-Aids and poverty in Africa, you've found the perfect podcast.
This is where you learn about Knit-a-Square, the non-profit organisation which is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and hear updates from 'the barn' where we sort squares and combine them into blankets for distribution to crèches and orphanages.
You can find show notes at www.knit-a-square.com/kas-podcast
While you're there, take a look around the KAS website to see how you can get involved in our work. Knit-a-Square is run entirely by volunteers. Everything we do, including this podcast, is in aid of warming vulnerable children in South Africa.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Top 10 Knit-a-Square Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Knit-a-Square episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Knit-a-Square for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Knit-a-Square episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Pick up your needles!
Knit-a-Square
04/14/20 • 11 min
Welcome to a brand-new podcast about charity knitting - A podcast for knitters and crocheters who love to share patterns and stories about how their craft impacts the lives of others.
This episode introduces Leanne Hunt, your podcast host.
"Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [Youtube Audio Library] © Creative Commons Licence
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us for a knit-along!
Knit-a-Square
05/19/20 • 38 min
Hear from KAS board member Wandi what a typical distribution looks like, and how the generosity of our members across the world allowed volunteers to care for their extremely needy neighbours. Find out too about the KAS KAL as Rebecca Price explains how she came up with the idea for the knit-along and where to find instructions for the different types of squares the finished blanket will contain.
Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [Youtube Audio Library] © Creative Commons Licence.
Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Becoming a volunteer
Knit-a-Square
03/26/22 • 29 min
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.
Rising to the occasion
Knit-a-Square
03/15/22 • 40 min
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.
Dancing children
Knit-a-Square
03/01/22 • 32 min
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.
Led by curiosity
Knit-a-Square
02/15/22 • 33 min
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.
Doing what feels meaningful
Knit-a-Square
02/01/22 • 35 min
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.
Back for another season
Knit-a-Square
01/18/22 • 18 min
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.
Therapeutic benefits of knitting
Knit-a-Square
09/07/21 • 30 min
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.
Mandela Day and the Soweto Gospel Choir
Knit-a-Square
07/28/20 • 54 min
This is another bumper episode, full of news about the various ways in which our members continue to touch the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa.
In the first half, Leanne reports on the effect of COVID-19 in various areas around Gauteng. Ronda reports on six different Mandela Day activities that took place on 18 July. We hear about how the work is continuing during lockdown.
In the second half, Sandy McDonald and Debbie Posmontier share their memories of Knit-a-Square's partnership with the Soweto Gospel Choir to provide blankets for the children at Nkosi's Haven in 2010. Many of you will remember this amazing venture, but if you are new to Knit-a-Square, prepare to be delighted and inspired!
If you are a knitter or crocheter and want to send squares to South Africa for the first time, please find the postal address and packaging instructions on the website, www.knit-a-square.com
Show host: Leanne Hunt.
Email address: [email protected]
Theme music: "Mr. Sunny Face" by Wayne Jones. [Youtube Audio Library] © Creative Commons Licence.
Production and editing: Natali Williams, LIME Virtual Business Support.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Knit-a-Square have?
Knit-a-Square currently has 39 episodes available.
What topics does Knit-a-Square cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Hobbies, Society & Culture, Charity, Crochet, Knit, Podcasts, Support, Children and Knitting.
What is the most popular episode on Knit-a-Square?
The episode title 'Rising to the occasion' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Knit-a-Square?
The average episode length on Knit-a-Square is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of Knit-a-Square released?
Episodes of Knit-a-Square are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Knit-a-Square?
The first episode of Knit-a-Square was released on Apr 14, 2020.
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