67 Blankets is on a new, incredible journey to create the Massive Mandela Masterpiece, or #MMM, which plans to be the world’s largest portrait blanket carrying Nelson Mandela’s face. The “blanket” will be made up of 1764 smaller blankets (or pixels) and will be so big that Madiba’s face will only be seen when viewed from the sky and from outer space.
To make the #MMM a reality, the 67 Blankets “goodwool” ambassadors have started donating wool. While the “knitwits” nimble fingers are already at work clicking their knitting needles, and looping their crochet hooks to knit blankets.
The #MMM will feature Madiba’s face in black and grey, and the border will consist of blankets knitted in the colours of the South African flag – red, yellow, blue and green. “We need lots of wool. We need lots of ‘goodwool’. We need many more South Africans to come on board – to get those needles clicking away and make the “pixel” blankets,” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets, an initiative linked to Nelson Mandela Day with the aim to keep disadvantaged people warm in winter.
Grey is the new black
Fortunately, the black blankets have been taken care of thanks to the hard work, passion and dedication of 67 Blankets family in India as well as inmates serving life sentences at Zonderwater Maximum Correctional Centre. “Now we are desperate for grey wool, which makes up a large portion of the #MMM. And we are calling on fellow South Africans to help us by donating this important colour into the mix,” Steyn says in a plea to the nation. “Whether it’s one grey ball of wool or a whole bakkie load, your contribution will help turn this remarkable blanket from a dream into a reality.”
To be precise, the #MMM needs 900 grey “pixel” blankets, which can be made up of 20cm x 20cm squares or can be knitted / crocheted as a whole blanket measuring 160cm x 160cm.
67 Blankets has become one of South Africa’s most beloved initiatives. It achieved Campaign of the Year in its first year and has received three Guinness World Records. But most importantly, 67 Blankets has exceeded its initial goal by distributing around 31 000 blankets over the past three-and-a-half years to people living in dire need. “Now, with #MMM, we are aiming for 67 000 blankets and more. We will never stop,” Steyn concludes.
Get involved: The #MMM deadline to handover blankets and / or squares is 15 December 2017. To get involved, to knit or donate wool please email info@67blankets.co.za or visit www.67blankets.co.za
WS
