Blog Stories

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  Oh, Kim, You Did It!
  Kim Delivers Our 1000th Blanket For The 2026 Challenge! Kim Smith, who has been a volunteer since 2025, came into an impromptu sewing bee organised… Read more: Oh, Kim, You Did It!
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  Home Sweet!
  On Friday, the 7th of August, Link Wentworth Housing held their 10th annual sleep out event ‘Home Sweet’. Home Sweet is Link Wentworth’s annual fundraiser… Read more: Home Sweet!
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  1170 Locals Are Warmer This Winter
  434 crocheters and knitters from the Penrith and surrounding community have rallied for the tenth year to produce a whopping 1170 blankets in the 4… Read more: 1170 Locals Are Warmer This Winter
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  The Men’s Shed Warms Our Space
  During our final sewing bee, We were delighted to host The Men’s shed Penrith for morning tea. This gave us an opportunity to thank them… Read more: The Men’s Shed Warms Our Space
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  Sonik Makes A Surprise Appearance!
  Yesterday, We had our very last sewing bee for the TOTS Blanket Challenge 2026! What a wonderful turnout! With over 40 volunteers making an appearance,… Read more: Sonik Makes A Surprise Appearance!
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  Grandmothers and Youtube
  Elizabeth Sweeney joined us for our last sewing bee for 2026 and with her, a boot full of blankets, toys, beanies and pillows. I cannot… Read more: Grandmothers and Youtube
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  The Knitters From The Park
  We had a wonderful unexpected vitas in The Creative Fringe yesterday by ladies from the Thornton Park Residential Aged Care Centre! When I (Ryan) came… Read more: The Knitters From The Park
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  Knitting With Heart: Meet Lori!
  Lori has called Seven Hills home since 1960, and she has been knitting for almost as long as she can remember. Having first picked up… Read more: Knitting With Heart: Meet Lori!
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  Crochet, Love and Chicken Handle Covers
  Lynette Visited us at The Creative Fringe last week to bring in completed blankets for the challenge. While she was here, I was able to… Read more: Crochet, Love and Chicken Handle Covers
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  Handover For A Cause
  On the 29th of May, The TOTS Blanket Challenge had its first Handover for 2026! Dozens of volunteers and charity partners descended onto The Creative… Read more: Handover For A Cause
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  The mystery of the missing phone
  With our June Evening Sewing Bee now behind us, it’s time to officially welcome a new member into our close-knit community. Although Leonie has only… Read more: The mystery of the missing phone
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  TOTS Blanket Challenge – President’s Report
  It is with immense pride and gratitude that I present the annual report for the TOTS Blanket Challenge, reflecting on an extraordinary year of growth, generosity, and community impact.
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  Welcoming our newcomers!
  Another sewing bee has been and gone, and with it, comes new faces sharing their love of the craft to help those in need! Karen… Read more: Welcoming our newcomers!
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  A Blanket, A Story, A Connection
  Each and every blanket we share with the community carries more than just warmth. They carry time, care and a piece of someone’s life. Each… Read more: A Blanket, A Story, A Connection
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  There’s Something About Ryan
  Who is this man who has joined the TOTS Blanket Challenge? Learn all about Ryan and share in his passion for crafting!
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  Penrith Panthers Trees of Hope 2025
  Our 2025 Penrith Panthers Trees of Hope has been another success in securing us funding for our charity. This year we created a giant gnome… Read more: Penrith Panthers Trees of Hope 2025
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  Knitflix 2025: A Morning of Stitches, Storytelling and Shared Purpose
  Knitflix 2025 turned the traditional cinema experience on its head, inviting attendees to swap popcorn for purl stitches as they watched Downton Abbey – The… Read more: Knitflix 2025: A Morning of Stitches, Storytelling and Shared Purpose
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  Cinema, Craft and Community Collide
  Movie lovers and makers are set to swap popcorn for purl stitches as Glenbrook Cinema transforms into a hub of creativity and community spirit this… Read more: Cinema, Craft and Community Collide
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  A school community comes together
  This letter was sent to The TOTS Blanket Challenge by Sally Quan,  Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) Facilitator and we wanted to share this with our wider community.
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  Lyn’s Blind Nan Taught her to Knit and Crochet
  Lyn has been knitting and crocheting for 70 years after her blind nan taught her.
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  Meet Margaret & Ronald Kelly – A Creative Couple with Hearts of Gold
  Meet Margaret & Ronald Kelly – A Creative Couple with Hearts of Gold
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  Finding Purpose, one square at a time: Dawn and Jean’s story
  When mother-and-daughter duo Dawn and Jean joined the TOTS Blanket Challenge this year, they didn’t just come to lend a hand—they found healing, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
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  Meet your Committee
  We had our AGM on Friday 30 May where we announced the new committee for 2023. Please join us in congratulating the following appointments...
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  TOTS Blanket Challenge – Our Presidents Report
  It is with immense pride and gratitude that we present the annual report for the TOTS Blanket Challenge, reflecting on an extraordinary 2024 and a remarkable start to 2025.
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  A Legacy of Love and Yarn – Honouring Aunty Annette
  Today we were deeply touched by a visit from Donna Rassack and her husband John Reily, who came bearing a beautiful and heartfelt donation to our TOTS Blanket Challenge.
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  Meet Stephanie — and her incredible Nana, Yvonne.
  Stephanie dropped by The Creative Fringe today with a truly heartwarming delivery: 17 beautifully crocheted blankets, each one handmade with love by her nana, Yvonne Back, who lives in Quakers Hill.
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  A passionate crocheter joins the TOTs Blankets Challenge
  What began as a way to pass the time during her recovery quickly turned into a full-blown mission—she started crocheting complete blankets one after another.
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  TOTS has a “Tree of Hope” at Panthers Penrith
  This festive season Panthers Penrith has invited eight wonderful charities to each decorate a tree in the foyer as part of their annual Trees of Hope event. This year the TOTS Blanket Challenge was chosen to have a "Tree of Hope" on display.
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  Meet Linda: A Crocheting Dynamo in Our TOTS Community Challenge
  Linda's journey with crochet began when she was just six years old. In Year 1 at Whalan School, she watched a fellow student crochet a scarf during recess.
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  A Heartwarming Contribution from Korowal School, Hazelbrook
  We extend our deepest gratitude to the students, teachers, parents, and grandparents of the Korowal School community. Your hard work and generosity have made a significant impact.
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  Meet Martina, a 4th year TOTS Volunteer
  Martina’s passion for crochet is truly inspiring. She spends her evenings crocheting while cheering ( yelling) at her favourite Swannies team during the footy games.
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  Crocheting isn’t just a hobby for Jan
  Jan is certainly one busy and dedicated individual. In addition to her contributions to the TOTS Challenge, she also creates blankets for Mama Lana's Community.
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  Guardian Angels school Brisbane does it again!
  This is the second year that the Guardian Angels School  ( Year 4 students) have participated in the blanket challenge - both times led by Julie-Anne.
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  Seniors Group keeping busy for the TOTS Challenge
  The Seniors groups meet up once a week at the Community Centre to come together for social engagement and to engage in craft activities and coffee catchups.
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  The first thing I knitted was a holey scarf
  t seems Karen has this craft in her genes. She has many fond memories of her childhood, watching her Pop creating beautiful delicate doilies and lace curtains.
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  St Columba’s Catholic College joins the TOTS Challenge
  Thank you to the teachers and students who have supported the challenge this year. We are so grateful for your care, time and attention you have all taken for this wonderful community initiative.
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  Embodying the spirit of giving
  As a bookkeeper for a business in Blacktown that supports the homeless, Amanda is no stranger to community service.
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  A lifetime knitter joins the challenge
  In the past, Kerrie-Lee set an impressive personal goal of knitting one jumper every fortnight. Now, she is excited to channel her energy and expertise into knitting for the TOTS Challenge this year.
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  Welcoming a new TOTS volunteer and Crochet Teacher
  Susanna joined our TOTS community this year and soon found herself jumping on board to teach and facilitate our Beginner Crochet classes here at The Creative Fringe.
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  2023 TOTS Blanket Challenge Results
  Thank you, TOTS community, you always seem to step up the calls we put out on social media - calling for community to get involved, knit, crochet, sew or even help us sort the squares.
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  A crash course in Crochet lessons..
  Claire got a crash course in granny squares and we dived into our stash of wool left over from other projects. After 4 weeks of crocheting like mad, we've got enough squares for a blanket.
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  A collective action and shared purpose to feel good
  What if we told you that doing good for others not only benefits them but also brings so much joy and satisfaction to our own lives?
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  Jennie is at it again helping out at the Creative Fringe for the TOTS blanket challenge
  Jennie has become quite the prolific blanket sewer for our TOTS Blanket Challenge and we are so grateful for her support.
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  Nicole joins the TOTS blanket challenge!
  Nicole agreed that the process of crocheting and making the squares has been very therapeutic - something so many of our volunteers agree on.
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  Cherry Pott sews through her Aussie holiday
  This will undoubtedly bring comfort, colour and warmth to someone in our local community, reminding them that they are cared for and not alone.
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  Special deliveries from a local community craft group
  Carol always arrives armed with bags of completed blankets ready to hang in our space, and we are so please to have this team of talented crafters on board our challenge every year.
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  Introducing a friend to the TOTS challenge
  If only we had kept count of the countless squares she has meticulously sewn together, creating beautiful works of art with her needle and thread.
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  Northwest Disability Service volunteers help out with the TOTS blanket challenge!
  These people are amazing and have been doing our challenge for a few years now and love that they bring in a few of their volunteers to see all the blankets hanging
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  TOTS sewing bee at the Creative Fringe!
  Coffee, Tea and light refreshments will be on hand for you to enjoy whilst you sew away - we just ask that you register for catering purposes but the event is free of course!
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  Debbie Ballard does it again!
  Debbie Ballard, you are amazing and these are not only massive blankets, they are works of art.
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  TOTS sewing bee mum and daughter dynamic duo!
  Zoe says she often wonders who would be the recipient of her blanket - but she knows it will be going to someone in need.
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  Spreading Love and Warmth: Join the TOTS Blanket Challenge Today!
  This annual event invites volunteers to participate in a free monthly sewing bee, connecting with like-minded individuals and expressing gratitude to those who contribute.
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  Cherie smashing the TOTS blanket challenge another year!
  Thanks Cherie, we so appreciate you dedication and your time to do this for our community in need this winter.
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  Wonderful volunteer donating gorgeous squares for the TOTS blanket challenge
  A big shout out to Cassandra for dropping off these gorgeous squares for our TOTs Blanket challenge!
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  Volunteers from Kingswood join the TOTS blanket challenge!
  We love having new volunteers joining our Think Outside the Blanket Challenge and this morning we met 2 more lovely ladies - Vonda and Vicki, both from Kingswood.
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  Elva’s Legacy Squares for our Blanket Challenge
  Elva has been a part of our Think Outside The Square Challenge for a quite a few years and she was knitting these squares right up until her passing last week.
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  Fabulous volunteer helps out again with the TOTS blanket challenge
  We love our amazing volunteers who support our Think Outside The Square challenge. We can’t do this with them
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  Welcoming new volunteers to our TOTS Challenge
  Fay says she knits ( and crochets) mostly at night while keeping an eye of her favourite crime shows. At 80 years young, Fay says she has been knitting for "donkeys years".
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  Lovely knitter helps out with the TOTS blanket challenge
  She came for a visit today with her carer Sheryl to hand over approx 80+ beautifully knitted squares for our 2023 TOTS challenge!
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  A QLD Primary School class learns to knit
  You may have heard us mention that we receive blankets from all over Australia  for our Think Outside the Sqaure Blanket challenge.