67 Blankets, exclusive books and communities across south africa celebrate worldwide knit in public day
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.
“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,” says explains Maria Varfis, CMO of Exclusive Books.
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,” she says.
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.
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.
6 June 2026
- Melrose Arch (Gauteng) – 11am
- Gateway (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11am
- Eastgate (Gauteng) – 11am
- Cresta (Gauteng) – 12pm
12 June 2026
- Mall of Africa (Gauteng) – 11am
13 June 2026 – Worldwide Knit in Public Day
- V&A Waterfront (Western Cape) – 11am
- Pavilion (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11am
- Fourways Mall (Gauteng) – 11am
- Cavendish (Western Cape) – 11am
- Constantia (Western Cape – 11am
19 June 2026
- Ballito Junction (KwaZulu-Natal) – 11am
20 June 2026
- Sandton (Gauteng) – 11am
- Clearwater (Gauteng) – 11am
- The Grove, Pretoria (Gauteng) – 11am
- Canal Walk )Western Cape) – 11am
- Paarl (Western Cape) – 11am
27 June 2026
- Clearwater Mall (Gauteng) – 11am
- Canal Walk Shopping Centre (Western Cape) – 11am
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 13 June at Outeniqua Lifestyle Centre from 10am, 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, 13 June Ocean Basket Hermanus will host a community knit-in from 12pm to 4pm, 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 13 June from 9am – 1pm
Fourways, Johannesburg
Supporters will gather at Spur Fourways Crossing on 13 June from 9am – 1pm for another celebration of knitting, crocheting and community spirit.
Cape Town
Join KnitWits on 13th June from 10am – 2pm at The Blue Route Mall.
Makro
On 11 July, 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.
