Please note the deadline for squares is May 29, 2009.

 Knit 25cm squares according to our instructions below. Completed wraps are preferred so why not get together with friends and complete a wrap by stitching all your combined squares together? You can plan an attractive colour scheme by choosing colours from one or two colour palettes. Choose all warm or all cool colours. Go for all brights or soft and muted. Stitch together invisibly and add a brilliant finishing touch, by working a jumbo cross-stitch over the seams.

KNITTED SQUARES
MEASUREMENTS Each square should measure 25cm x 25cm (10 inches x 10 inches).

GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
8-ply yarn (pure wool is preferred), 4mm (No 8) knitting needles, wool needle.

HERE’S HOW
FINISHED SIZE: 25cm square

NOTE: For best results, check your tension on a sample of knitting using needles and yarn recommended (see Tension below). Do not knit one row plain, one row purl (stocking stitch) as your square will curl up. To join a new ball of yarn, start at the beginning of a row. Sew in the ends to secure.  Do not join yarn by knotting the ends. Do not cut ends off short as your square will unravel.  When starting or finishing a square, sew in all ends.

TENSION: 21 sts and 44 rows to 10cm in garter stitch using 8-ply yarn and 4mm needles.

To check your tension, mark out a 10cm square on a swatch of knitting using safety pins and avoiding the edges. Count the stitches across then down. The tension recommended is 21 sts and 44 rows. If you have more stitches and rows, your tension is tight. You will need to cast on more stitches or use needles a size larger than recommended to create a 25cm square. If you count fewer stitches than recommended, your tension is loose. You will need to use needles a size smaller or cast on fewer stitches to create a 25cm square. The size of the finished squares should be 25cm in both width and length to make the assembly of the rug easier.

STEP 1 Using 4mm (No 8) knitting needles and 8-ply yarn, cast on 50 – 55 stitches.

STEP 2 Knit in garter stitch (every row knit) until work measures 25cm from the cast on edge.

STEP 3 Cast off loosely.

TO MAKE UP: Do not press.  Using a wool needle and yarn in a neutral colour, join squares.  Keep all joins on the same side, use a flat seam and alternate the squares as shown on the diagram below.  To create a flat seam, use a small whip stitch or an invisible ladder stitch. Squares can also be joined using crochet.
 
Completed wraps consist of 28 squares (see diagram).

Across: 4 squares = 100cm (40 inches)

Down: 7 squares = 175cm (70 inches)

You can also join squares to make smaller blankets for kids or pets or to use as knee rugs. Join in the same way as described above, again alternating the direction of the squares as this prevents stretching and creates a more stable fabric.

POSTAGE DETAILS
You can post wraps, yarn and squares to:
Better Homes and Gardens/Wrap with Love
Private Bag 9850
North Sydney NSW 2059

FINAL WRAP DISTRIBUTION
From the Wrap with Love warehouse in Alexandria, NSW, the beautiful handmade wraps will be distributed to those who have been affected by the fires in Victoria. Individual squares are also accepted and will be collected and sent to volunteer groups who will assemble and stitch them up. 

There are groups all around Australia who collect and assemble wraps by hand-stitching squares together. Phone 02 8399 3000 and ask for a Wrap with Love contact in your area. Volunteers are needed to sew up squares so if you wish to help and can pick up from the Alexandria warehouse, please contact Wrap with Love to organise.

Wrap with Love Telephone: 02 8399 3000. Fax: 02 9699 1620. Email: wwl@pacific.net.au.

For experienced knitters there are various  methods of knitting squares. These details can be found on the Wrap with Love website: www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/Wrap.htm
 
WRAP WITH LOVE BACKGROUND
In 1992, Wrap with Love began with the idea to help as many people as possible by providing warm wraps to ward off hypothermia. Beautiful handmade wraps have been lovingly crafted by more than 25,000 volunteers throughout Australia and in the past years more than 157,000 wraps have been sent to people in over 75 countries, including Australia.