Spreading Love and Warmth from The Creative Fringe: Join the TOTS Blanket Challenge
At The Creative Fringe, community is at the heart of everything we do — and one of the most beautiful examples of that is hosting the Think Outside the Square (TOTS) Blanket Challenge each year right here in Penrith. Now in its 7th year, this extraordinary community blanket project continues to unite crafters, makers and big-hearted volunteers across Australia in a shared mission: to spread warmth, love and hope one stitch at a time.
Run entirely by the incredible TOTS team, the Blanket Challenge brings together hundreds of volunteers to knit, crochet and sew 20x20cm squares that are later joined to form colourful handmade blankets. The Creative Fringe proudly provides the home base — a vibrant, creative space for monthly sewing bees, sorting sessions and community gatherings — all designed to make this massive volunteer effort possible.
No matter where you are, you can join in. From knitters in chilly Adelaide lounges to crocheters enjoying the Queensland sun, volunteers all over Australia are part of this growing movement. And thanks to the power of social media, the TOTS community is constantly connected. Don’t forget to share your progress using #totsblanketchallenge — seeing those photos fill our hearts (and our feed) with colour and joy!
The TOTS team’s goal this year is a huge one — 650 blankets — and every stitch counts. Each blanket represents warmth for someone facing hardship and a powerful message that our community cares.
If you’d like to get involved, you can:
Attend a free monthly Sewing Bee here at The Creative Fringe (no experience needed — we’ll always find you a job!)
Join as a knitting, crochet or craft group and contribute collectively
Engage your school or community program to create squares and learn about compassion through creativity
The need in our community has never been greater, and these handmade blankets truly make a difference. As the proud host venue, The Creative Fringe is honoured to support the TOTS Blanket Challenge again this year — providing the space, spirit and support to keep this incredible initiative growing.
Join the movement, make something meaningful, and help us wrap our community in colour, warmth and kindness — one blanket at a time.