The children of Malvern
Children’s Home in Durban received a shower of warmth when the 67 Blankets for
Nelson Mandela Day Organisation handed over knitted blankets and beanies
recently. In the shot are Wendy Theunissen, an ambassador of the organisation;
Andile Ncamana, Director of Malvern’s Children’s Home, Sue Eslick (67 Blankets
for Nelson Mandela Day Organisation ambassador) and Retinah Mugumbate, Malvern
Children’s Home supervisor. Pic by Tumi Pakkies, Independent Newspapers)
What if a ball of wool could create a friendship? That is the simple but powerful idea behind a new national partnership between 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day and Exclusive Books, launching this June in the lead-up to and on Worldwide Knit in Public Day.
The initiative, titled Crocheting New Circles of Friendship, will roll out across 15 participating Exclusive Books stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, creating welcoming spaces where communities can gather, learn new skills, share stories and help bring warmth to those in need.
To support the initiative, participating stores will provide venue space, refreshments, wool, crochet hooks and knitting needles, while 67 Blankets Ambassadors and KnitWits will help newcomers learn the basics of crochet and become part of the movement's growing family of #GoodWool volunteers.
Maria Varfis, CMO of Exclusive Books, explains: "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. So the opportunity to partner with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was a natural fit.
“Crocheting New Circles of Friendship is about creating welcoming spaces where people can learn, share, connect and contribute to something larger than themselves. We are delighted to open our stores to a movement that has touched so many lives and inspired such extraordinary acts of kindness.”
Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, says the partnership beautifully reflects the heart of the movement. "People often think we are only in the business of making blankets for others," says Steyn. "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.”
Annie Robinson Grealy continues, saying: "We are deeply grateful to Exclusive Books for opening their doors to us and for helping us create new circles of friendship across South Africa. 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."
The initiative forms part of Worldwide Knit in Public Day, celebrated in more than 50 countries around the globe and embraced by thousands of crafters who take their knitting and crocheting into public spaces to share their passion with others.
History of 67 Blankets
Since its beginnings in 2013 as a challenge to create 67
blankets in honour of Nelson Mandela's 67 years of service, 67 Blankets has
grown into a global movement that has wrapped countless people in warmth while
inspiring acts of kindness across communities, generations and borders.
Across South Africa, Ambassadors, KnitWits and supporters will mark the occasion with gatherings that celebrate creativity, connection and giving back to their communities.
The first Crocheting New Circles of Friendship gatherings will take place at participating Exclusive Books stores across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape throughout June, with local 67 Blankets Ambassadors and KnitWits helping to introduce newcomers to the joy of crochet and the spirit of #GoodWool.
Participating stores include Melrose Arch, Gateway, Eastgate, Cresta, Mall of Africa, V&A Waterfront, Pavilion, Fourways Mall, Cavendish, Ballito Junction, Sandton, Paarl, The Grove, Clearwater Mall and Canal Walk.
June 6, 2026
Melrose Arch (Gauteng) – 11h00
Gateway (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11h00
Eastgate (Gauteng) – 11h00
Cresta (Gauteng) – 12 noon
June 12, 2026
Mall of Africa (Gauteng) – 11h00
June 13, 2026 –
Worldwide Knit in Public Day
V&A Waterfront (Western Cape) – 11h00
Pavilion (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11h00
Fourways Mall (Gauteng) – 11h00
Cavendish (Western Cape) – 11h00
Constantia (Western Cape – 11h00
June 19, 2026
Ballito Junction (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11h00
June 20, 2026
Sandton (Gauteng) – 11h00
Clearwater (Gauteng) – 11h00
The Grove, Pretoria (Gauteng) – 11h00
Canal Walk (Western Cape) – 11h00
Paarl (Western Cape) – 11h00
June 27, 2026
Clearwater Mall (Gauteng) – 11h00
Canal Walk Shopping Centre (Western Cape) – 11h00
More Retailers Help to Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day
In addition to the Exclusive Books activations, other
retailers and community partners are also opening their doors on Worldwide Knit
in Public Day, helping to grow the circle of friendship, creativity and
kindness that sits at the heart of the 67 Blankets movement.
George, Western Cape
The George KnitWits will gather on June 13 at Outeniqua
Lifestyle Centre from 10h00, welcoming experienced crafters and first-timers
alike. Needles, hooks and wool will be available, together with refreshments
and plenty of encouragement.
Hermanus, Western
Cape
On Saturday, June 13, Ocean Basket Hermanus will host a
community knit-in from 12noon to 16h00, with participants aiming to complete 67
squares for future blanket projects.
Irene, Gauteng
Irene Village Mall, in partnership with the Broll Foundation
and The Wool Shoppe, will host a public knitting and crochet event featuring
prizes, refreshments, wool and crafting demonstrations on June 13 from 09h00 to
13h00
Fourways,
Johannesburg
Supporters will gather at Spur Fourways Crossing on June 13
from 09h00 to 13h00 for another celebration of knitting, crocheting and
community spirit.
Cape Town
Join KnitWits on June 13 from 10h00 to 14h00 at The Blue
Route Mall.
Makro
On July 11, Makro will partner with 67 Blankets for Nelson
Mandela Day to host scarf-making activations at its Amanzimtoti, Montague
Gardens and Carnival City stores. Makro has generously supplied the wool for
the initiative, while 67 Blankets KnitWits will help members of the public
learn to knit and crochet scarves that will ultimately be donated through the movement's
ongoing warmth projects.
The initiative reflects the growing number of organisations
embracing the spirit of #GoodWool and helping to spread warmth, friendship and
hope across South Africa.
The spirit of the 67 Blankets movement extends well beyond this single day. Volunteers are already hard at work creating 388 scarves for Grade 6 and 7 learners at Sundown High School in Sandton, ensuring every learner receives a handmade gift of warmth during Mandela Month. "When people sit together with yarn in their hands, something remarkable happens," says Steyn. "Conversations begin, friendships form and barriers disappear. Whether you've been knitting for 50 years or have never picked up a crochet hook before, there is a place for you at the table. That is what Worldwide Knit in Public Day is all about.”
So bring your enthusiasm, your curiosity and your #GoodWool spirit.
To link to the 67 Blankets website, click on the logo advert alongside this article.
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