Kilkenny County Council Arts Office initiated a blanket project to help crafters use up of all that extra wool they had lying around at home and to help improve the lives of children in South Africa. What better time to get back to knitting, crocheting or indeed take it up for the first time or to get their children knitting.

Knit or crochet a square 7’’ x 7’’ and the squares will be stitched together into beautiful blankets for the children supported by the Elkana Childcare charity in South Africa.

The Elkana Charity transforms the lives of children who live in severely adverse situations which negatively impacts on their positive development and future. The charity runs a residential Temporary Safe Care Programme for twenty four children at any given time and after school programmes accommodating two hundred children. This charity has very strong connections to Kilkenny. A municipal building name 'Kilkenny Hall' stands in the middle of one of Africa's largest townships today - built via monies sent from the south east of Kilkenny in a drive spearheaded by Mooncoin farmer John Crowley.

An incredible difference has been made so far but this opportunity offered Kilkenny crafters to further support and help these women and children. So with a little motivation and a lot of love we asked them to take to their knitting and crocheting and to encourage friends to do the same.  We asked them to take the opportunity to learn a new skill and maybe even teach a loved one how td

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.