Knitters are a force to be reckoned with in a very wholesome regard.
Following the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative that couldn’t take place, the ‘KnitWits’ (as dubbed by founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela, Carolyn Steyn) have taken to crocheting and knitting blankets and scarves to keep South Africans warm across the country in a mission that launches tomorrow, August 19.
They even have an operation title: Secret Scarf Mission.
It’s the 6th year of the operation, whereby knitters are part of the challenge to bring warmth into South Africans lives by making tons of scarves by hand that are scattered in South Africa – from trees to poles and parking meters.
A kaleidoscope of colours and warmth in the rainbow nation certainly sounds like a winter wonder.
As of tomorrow, we can expect to see the knitted kindness collection. The scarf trail is paved with knitted scarves that are freely available for anyone who comes across one.
In an even sweeter portion of the endeavour, there is a little love note attached.
“I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me. Love, 67 Blankets.”
Carolyn Steyn reiterates as per Good Things Guy that despite lockdown and the challenges faced, thousands of people are still making scarves and have been in anticipation of the event set for tomorrow.
“Sadly, we could not distribute in July on Mandela Day, but for us, every day is a Mandela Day,” Carolyn expresses.
“I cannot wait to see the joy these labours of love will bring to so many.”
Carolyn, the captain of the knitting journey started back in 2013, when the assistant of the late Madiba offered her the challenge, to knit, sew or crochet 67 blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, as 67 Blankets explains. This was how the “67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day” community was born.
Some call the initiative a movement as word of the knitted love has spread all over the world, from London to India.
Journalist Cathy Dippnall has written about 67 Blankets being “an initiative that is binding together our nation in a way no government has been able to achieve”.
The Secret Scarf Mission began in 2017, where South Africans were invited to create as many scarves as possible for the less fortunate.
“The concept is to leave the scarves in parks, around trees, parking meters, tied around lamp posts on the same day. Scarves left for anyone that needs them all around our beautiful country.”
Join the scarf revolution right here, and make a difference, stitch by stitch.
Picture: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela