New nationwide initiative celebrates Worldwide Knit in Public Day while bringing warmth to communities in need
By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Carolyn Steyn joins volunteers and beneficiaries during a special blanket handover, celebrating the spirit of kindness, compassion and community that continues to define the 67 Blankets movement across South Africa. Photo Credit: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG – In a world increasingly driven by technology and fast-paced living, a simple ball of wool, a crochet hook and a shared conversation are bringing South Africans together in a remarkable celebration of friendship, community and compassion.
This June, renowned charitable movement 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has joined hands with Exclusive Books to launch Crocheting New Circles of Friendship, a heartwarming nationwide initiative that aims to connect people through creativity while helping provide warmth to vulnerable communities.
The partnership forms part of celebrations for Worldwide Knit in Public Day, an annual global movement observed in more than 50 countries that encourages knitting and crocheting enthusiasts to gather in public spaces, share their skills and build connections through craft.
Across South Africa, participating Exclusive Books stores will be transformed into welcoming community spaces where beginners and experienced crafters alike can learn, create and contribute to a greater cause.
Seen Here: Wrapped in warmth and hope, beneficiaries receive handmade blankets from Carolyn Steyn and members of the 67 Blankets family, demonstrating how every stitch can help change a life and bring comfort to those in need. Photo Credit: Supplied
Stitching Communities Together
The initiative will roll out across 15 Exclusive Books stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, where visitors will be provided with wool, knitting needles, crochet hooks, refreshments and expert guidance from 67 Blankets Ambassadors and KnitWits volunteers.
The goal extends beyond teaching people how to crochet.
At its heart, the programme seeks to create genuine human connection.
“We have always believed that books and stories have the power to bring people together, but communities are built through many forms of creativity and connection,” said Maria Varfis, Chief Marketing Officer of Exclusive Books.
According to Varfis, opening the doors of bookstores to the 67 Blankets movement creates opportunities for people to learn, share experiences and contribute to meaningful acts of kindness.
More Than Blankets
Since its founding in 2013, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has grown from an ambitious challenge to create 67 blankets in honour of Nelson Mandela into a global movement that has distributed countless handmade blankets to people in need.
Founder Carolyn Steyn says the movement has always been about far more than the blankets themselves.
“People often think we are only in the business of making blankets for others,” Steyn explains. “But what we are also creating are connections, friendships and communities. Every blanket begins with a stitch, but every stitch begins with a person reaching out to another person.”
That spirit of connection lies at the heart of the new collaboration.
Annie Robinson Grealy of 67 Blankets believes the partnership offers an opportunity to welcome new volunteers into what has become known as the #GoodWool family.
“Through this partnership, we hope to welcome many new people into the 67 Blankets family, where skills can be shared, kindness can grow and every stitch can become part of a much bigger story,” she said.
Seen Here: A moment of joy and generosity as Carolyn Steyn presents handmade blankets to community members, reflecting the power of collective action and the growing impact of the #GoodWool movement. Photo Credit: Supplied
A Nationwide Celebration of Kindness
Events will take place throughout June at participating stores including Melrose Arch, Gateway, Eastgate, Cresta, Mall of Africa, Sandton, V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk, Cavendish, Paarl, Ballito Junction and several others.
The celebrations will culminate on Worldwide Knit in Public Day on 13 June, when hundreds of volunteers are expected to gather across the country to knit, crochet and share stories.
The initiative extends beyond bookstores.
Community gatherings are also planned at locations including Ocean Basket Hermanus, Irene Village Mall, Spur Fourways Crossing, Outeniqua Lifestyle Centre in George and Blue Route Mall in Cape Town.
In July, Makro will join the movement by hosting scarf-making activations at selected stores, with volunteers creating handmade scarves that will be donated during Mandela Month.
Seen Here: More than just blankets, each handmade creation represents care, friendship and hope as Carolyn Steyn leads a heartfelt handover aimed at bringing warmth and comfort to vulnerable South Africans. Photo Credit: Supplied
Creating Warmth for Learners
The impact of the movement continues long after Worldwide Knit in Public Day.
Volunteers are already working on creating 388 scarves for Grade 6 and Grade 7 learners at Sundown High School in Sandton, ensuring every learner receives a handmade gift of warmth during Mandela Month.
These projects demonstrate how simple acts of generosity can have a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Every Stitch Tells a Story
For Steyn, the true magic of the movement lies in what happens when strangers gather around a table with yarn in their hands.
“When people sit together with yarn in their hands, something remarkable happens,” she says. “Conversations begin, friendships form and barriers disappear.”
Whether participants are lifelong crafters or complete beginners, the message remains the same: everyone is welcome.
As South Africans prepare to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day, Crocheting New Circles of Friendship serves as a reminder that community is built one conversation, one act of kindness and one stitch at a time.
In a country often defined by its challenges, this growing movement is proving that warmth can travel far beyond a blanket—it can reach hearts, strengthen communities and inspire hope for a better tomorrow.
