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Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Knittingnovice, crafters and donors we need your help.

177 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 11/07/2014 14:38

Many of you have been following the thread and blog of the very lovely Knittingnovice, and will know that very sadly she died from bowel cancer on Friday 20th June. Such a devastating loss for her three children, husband, family and friends. We are just so very sorry life has been so cruel and are thinking of them. It is her funeral today, sending much love to them all.

We are so pleased that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their beautiful children will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them.


We are looking for crocheters, knitters and donors. If you would like to donate wool or funds, I can match you up. If you would like to join in but need donated wool, I can help there too. Please PM me with your offers of help ( RatherBeOnThePiste)

Knittingnovice described herself as Hippy Mummy, bookworm, crafty critter, avid guider, eco attempter, cancer patient & festival junkie. Bless her heart.

  • We know she was passionate about the Girl Guide movement, read her fabulous blog post about it, she was a great volunteer, a guider at 2nd Furnace Green and then 1st Pound Hill Rainbows. She loved camping, cooking on wood fires, her children joined with her too.

  • As a family they loved steam trains, particularly the Bluebell Railway, she says (of her children) in her blog… They are also well versed in British steam railway history, they love nothing better than the smell of coal and the slower pace of life illustrated by a steam train.

  • She loved Strictly Come Dancing! We definitely give her a 10.

  • She loved crafting, especially knitting, cross stitching and sewing.

  • We also have initials if that would be something for you, please PM us.

    The Yarn we will be using….
  • Artesano Superwash Merino DK
  • Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (discontinued but some still around)
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
  • Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
  • James C. Brett Pure Merino DK (also discontinued, some still to be had)
  • Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
  • Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK
    Just from the brands listed please because we know they combine for wash and wear.


    Our palette for Knittingnovice
    Blues to celebrate her love of the Girl Guiding movement.
    Purples
    Greens
    Oranges but from these please - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 56 (tangerine) or 43, (Burnt orange) Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK - Pumpkin (373)
    Darker pinks
    For embellishments, cream but please choose one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, James C. Brett Pure Merino DK no 7 or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream
    and red - only Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please.
    We have brown for embellishments, happy to send, please ask.

    So we have lots of ideas and themes for squares, but please don't feel daunted by these suggestions, we love plain squares and simple textures too. They look as stunning as the more complex squares and play a vital role in the overall effect. Knotty (KnottyLocks ) will help with any crafting queries. Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles. All crafting abilities genuinely welcome, squares made by beginner or expert are equally welcomed. It really is the love and thought that counts. Please do PM Knotty if you need help.


    Do use the crafting guide on the website to help you with lots of practical info such as help with buying colours, recommended online retailers and if interested there are a lot of linked suggestions for patterns.

    Previous blankets can be seen on the Woolly Hugs website and we are on Facebook and Twitter at MNWoollyHugs/@MNWoollyHugs which are both good ways to keep in touch.

    When finished please sew in those ends but don’t block your work. Then PM me (RatherBeOnThePiste) for details for posting.


    Knittingnovice spent a great deal of time and energy raising awareness of bowel cancer, so we are sharing this information to take this further. Please visit and read about symptoms and share information with family and friends.


    As always heartfelt thanks for your support.
    Thinking of Knittingnovice and all those who love and miss her.

    Pistey and Knotty Thanks
OP posts:
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spacefrog35 · 11/07/2014 14:42

I'm in - will PM now. Thinking of the family, especially today.

The last verse of 'taps' seems appropriate

"Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear.
Friend, good night."

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KnottyLocks · 11/07/2014 14:44

Oh thank you, spacefrog.

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WoolPixie · 11/07/2014 14:45

Oh how very sad another Woolly Hug is needed. Would love to make a few squares. Much love to her family Flowers

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weebarra · 11/07/2014 14:47

I would love to do a square, I've looked at Woolly Hugs for ages, but my knitting skills are not great. In fact, I perfected my squares during interminable chemo sessions - I was on the Tamoxigang threads with knitting.

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TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 11/07/2014 14:52

Thoughts are with knittingnovices family

I'm in, off to pm

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Iamaslummymummy · 11/07/2014 14:53

I'll do a square. Can I check are embellishments only to be done in cream or red or can I mix blues, purples and greens?

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KnottyLocks · 11/07/2014 14:54

weebarra, simple squares are as valued as ornate: it's the love stitched into them that makes them special. Big hugs for you x

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KnottyLocks · 11/07/2014 14:55

Embellishments can be done in any of the listed colours, thanks.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/07/2014 14:56

Spacefrog That is perfect, especially for today. x Thanks


Thanks everyone - lovely Weebarra if there are folk from the Tamoxigang threads that you think might like to be involved, please would you message them for us?

For anyone joining us, we have a Facebook page - MNWoollyHugs, you might like to join us there too.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/07/2014 14:56

Huge hugs for you Weebarra xxx

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/07/2014 14:57

If anyone would like little bits of cream or red for embellishments we have those too. Thank you xx

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Skoggy · 11/07/2014 15:01

I'm in. I'd like to make a square using the Baden Powell award badge trefoil on it. Its the highest award that a girl guide can get so seems very apt.

I'm so sorry to hear that this blanket is needed. Much love to her family xxx

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Thumbwitch · 11/07/2014 15:01

I'm in and I promise to get the wool sent much quicker this time - I'll get my brain in order! PMing you now.

Heartbroken for Knittingnovice's family, I really am. :(

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/07/2014 15:07

Oh Skoggy, thank you. Both Knots and I loved our time as Guides, we were reminiscing about camping not that long ago, not at the same Guides, but had very similar experiences. The Baden Powell trefoil will be perfect, thank you Thanks

And thanks lovely Thumb, you star xx

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penguinpaperback · 11/07/2014 15:14

I will send you a few squares. Knitting has been a comfort during my own various treatments for cancer. Much Love to Knittingnovice's family. X

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MasterFlea · 11/07/2014 15:23

I will do some squares too. Terribly sad news. She sounded really amazing.

My friend died of bowel cancer when she was 16.

Thinking of Knitting's family.

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fanjodisfunction · 11/07/2014 15:27

So sad, will be happy to make a camping themed square. She sounds like a woman after my own heart.

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weebarra · 11/07/2014 15:28

I have posted on the Tamoxigang thread. We are on holiday in Mallorca, I brought my needles but have done no knitting. Back to auld claes and porridge tomorrow so knitting can start then too!

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BellaVita · 11/07/2014 15:38

I can send a square.

So sad for Knitting and family, thinking of them xxx [flowers{

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HorsesDogsNails · 11/07/2014 15:38

How sad, thoughts with her family and friends.

I'm in with a square.

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Jacksmania · 11/07/2014 15:46

I'm in. How sad that we need another one so soon :(
I have all the colours, will get going this weekend.

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ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 11/07/2014 15:51

I'm in. Sending lots of love to her family. X

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Woolfey · 11/07/2014 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rubycon · 11/07/2014 15:57

sadly - I'm in. Will pm.

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Ladyface · 11/07/2014 16:00

So sad to hear that another blanket is needed. I have wool and would like to contribute a square. My thoughts are with her family. x

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