Question 1

When does the challenge run?

Accepted Answer

Our official challenge dates run from 1st April through until 31st July. We understand that people are knitting and crocheting all year round, so you are welcome to drop off your squares or completed blankets to us throughout the year.

Question 2

I'm not in Western Sydney, can I still participate?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can! We have volunteers from Darwin to Adelaide and everywhere in between. We love hearing about the people willing to join our challenge, so if you are posting squares or blankets, please add a note and/or photo so that we have a story to share about your contribution.

Question 3

What size needles should I use?

Accepted Answer

You can use any size needles – whatever you are most comfortable with. Most volunteers have used size 5 or 6 needles.

Question 4

How many stitches should I cast on?

Accepted Answer

We need the squares to be 20cm x 20cm. A ballpark number is about 45 stitches, but the number all depends on the size of your needle, and how tight you stitch.

Question 5

What ply wool should I use?

Accepted Answer

We recommend 8 ply acrylic (instead of pure wool) so that it’s easy to wash.

Question 6

Do you supply wool?

Accepted Answer

Our wool is kindly donated by our community. You are more than welcome to collect balls of wool for you to use throughout the challenge. If you are wanting to donate wool to us, we ask that it is 8 Ply.

Question 7

Can I crochet instead of knit squares?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, we have had some beautiful crocheted squares donated.

Question 8

Do you have a guide for crocheted squares?

Accepted Answer

The final size of your square should be 20x20cm. As an estimate using a 4.5 crochet hook and 8ply wool you can get 9 rounds.

Question 9

Should they be brightly coloured or more muted tones?

Accepted Answer

When choosing what coloured wool you will use, keep in mind who you are creating the squares or blankets for. Rough sleepers would prefer muted or darker tones to not stand out, whereas families who have left a violent relationship would be more uplifted by brighter, more colourful squares.

Question 10

Is there a pattern to follow?

Accepted Answer

No pattern is necessary, just simply knit or crochet 20cm x 20cm squares in any style you like – we will put them with other similar squares.

Question 11

How many squares make a blanket?

Accepted Answer

35 (5×7) squares makes a small sized blanket

42 (6×7) squares makes a medium sized blanket.

48 ( 6×8) squares makes an adult large sized blanket.

Question 12

Can I donate completed blankets?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can! If you decided to provide completed blankets we recommend 6×8 squares.

Question 13

Where can I send the squares or blankets to?

Accepted Answer

Squares and blankets can either be dropped off our mailed to:The Creative FringeUnit 6, 51 York RoadJamisontown, NSW 2750Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

Question 14

When are the squares and blankets due?

Accepted Answer

Round 1: Squares should be to us by 28th May to ensure enough time to be sewn together for an early June handover.

Round 2: Square will need to be to us by 28th July for an early August handover.

Question 15

Who are the blankets donated to?

Accepted Answer

We like to support a variety of charities to ensure that people from all walks of life can benefit from these blankets and get wrapped in love and the kindness of others. These are handed over to our charity partners: WestCare Services, Platform Youth Services, Penrith Community Kitchen, The Haven Nepean Womens Shelter, Link Wentworth House and Together Homes.

By joining this challenge you really are helping make a difference to someones life and we thank you for your kindness.

Question 16

What do I do with the Blanket tag I recieved?

Accepted Answer

These blanket tags are to be sewn in across the bottom right of the completed blankets.

Question 17

Where on the blanket do I sew this tag?

Accepted Answer

These blanket tags are to be sewn in across the bottom right of the completed blankets. If you don’t have a tag, one will be sewn in by our volunteers. If you are a regular to our space and create full blankets, you are more than welcome to take some tags with you to sew into your blanket.

If you are collecting a bag of squares from us – there will be a label with a tag attached for you.

Question 18

I want to assist but I don't knit, crochet or sew squares

Accepted Answer

You can always make a donation to help us keep the challenge running or you could purchase one of our blankets where all monies go directly back to our not for profit organisation.

Question 19

To tail or not to tail?

Accepted Answer

Most of our volunteers would agree that having the tails of the squares sewn in is preferable. If you would prefer not to sew in the tails, please leave enough yarn for our joiners to use to join it to the next square – err on this side of “more is better”.

Question 20

Can I buy a blanket?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can! And all funds collected from blanket sales go directly back to our charity. We have had blankets purchased for as little as $150 and up to $500. However we are always keen to break records so check out our socials to see what blankets are for sale and make us an offer we can’t refuse.

TOTs Blanket Frequently Asked Questions

Our Charity Partners