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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.

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Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!

951 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 19/01/2018 18:00

We are delighted to be launching our Chernobyl Project 2018!



For the last four years we have been making warm, comforting Little Hugs for Belarusian teenagers and children visiting the UK for recuperative holidays during the summer with the fabulous charity the Chernobyl Children’s Project and Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.

Each year these marvellous charities bring children who live in the most contaminated area near the Chernobyl reactor over to the UK. In summer, when the dust causes radiation levels to rise, it becomes even more important for as many children as possible to leave their contaminated homeland for a few weeks of fresh air and clean food. The rates of childhood cancer are incredibly high the most common cancers being thyroid and leukaemia. Coming to the UK for a four week break increases their immunity against the awful disease when they return home. Often these children are in remission. Sadly though there is a high chance of these children falling ill again. They all suffer living in such difficult conditions combined with chronic poverty.

We have spoken to all the groups we sent to last year, some are still confirming their funding etc and not all host every year, but already confirmed are…

Isle of Wight
Peterborough/Helpston
Bristol
Gloucester/Leeds
And we are chuffed to be introducing the Ayrshire group this year too!


There are other groups we can contact, but will just wait to hear from last year first. So this year we look like we are aiming for approx 115 blankets but this may change. It is a good place to start with!

The last posting date for squares and blankets made by individuals for our Chernobyl 2018 project will be Saturday 7th April, to the Teddington address, message if you need it!

No later please as we have to get on and sort very soon after. Thank you.

Please do join us, here’s how..

  • Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK – ONLY this please, inc for any embellishments.
  • Squares to be 12 inch ideally, or 6 inch if that is too much.
  • Knit and crochet equally welcome. Beginner or more experienced crafters also equally welcomed.
  • Please use a 4mm hook or needles. No blocking please, and please ensure you are knotting off very thoroughly when colour changing or finishing, leave a 6cm end and use a needle to sew it in.
  • We are asking folk to avoid using a magic ring (crochet) to start as find that these don’t seem to always stand up to the pressures of wash and wear.
  • Squares to be single colour, multi colour, textured, whatever you like, they will be wonderful, thank you.
  • If you’d like to make a whole blanket, please use these colours too, makes thing easier at the giving stage! Whole blankets need to be 48 inches by 60 inches with some kind of border please.



Supporting with funds
If anyone would like to donate funds to support this, we would be so grateful. Our paypal is [email protected] . Cheques and cash are very welcome too, just PM for the address. We are grateful for every single penny.


The Palette
Aspen
Aster
Bluebell
Blush
Boysenberry
Bright pink
Burgundy
Candy floss
Citron
Claret
Cloud blue
Cypress
Denim
Duck egg
Emperor
Empire
Fondant
Fuchsia pink
Grape
Grass green
Kelly green
Lapis
Lavender
Lime
Lincoln
Lipstick
Lobelia
Magenta
Meadow
Mustard
Pale Rose
Parchment
Petrol
Pistachio
Plum
Pomegranate
Raspberry
Saffron
Sage
Sherbert
Shrimp
Spice
Storm blue
Teal
Tomato
Turquoise
Violet


To find out what about things we are collecting read more here....


Hugs for Heads
After the success of Fife last year, we thought how lovely it would be to send all children a cosy hat to take home with their blanket this year, so introduced Hugs for Heads, if you would like to knit or crochet a child’s hat size age 8 to adult (most are teens) in machine washable yarn, we would love to receive it for them. The pattern is up to you., we do have yarn available, please message us. Last posting the same as squares.


What a big ask! Good grief!
But the fabulous Woolly Hug crew never fail to amaze, last year was an astonishing team effort, we know that together we can do this.

On behalf of these children and their families, a huge THANK YOU.
Actually, thank you doesn’t really come close. xxx

(pic is the Isle of Wight group last year)
Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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KnottyAndPistey · 19/01/2018 18:00

Here are the colours....

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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FiveGoMadInDorset · 19/01/2018 18:02

This has come around quickly!

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KnottyAndPistey · 19/01/2018 18:05

It has!!

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WitchDancer · 19/01/2018 18:20

I'm in if I can find enough hours in a day.

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MadisonAvenue · 19/01/2018 18:23

I'm in, I've already got a few 12" squares done. Thought I'd get a head start before Christmas.

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diamantegal · 19/01/2018 18:25

I started early - here are three to get us going.

Excuse the photo bombing - she was neutered today and very unhappy about the cone of shame. Has pulled it off twice already. It's going to be a long week...

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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FiveGoMadInDorset · 19/01/2018 18:27

12 inch squares take way to long for me so will bash out a few 6 inches, will get my SIL to do a few as well

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diamantegal · 19/01/2018 18:33

App decided to ignore the pictures. Will try again on the mobile site!

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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diamantegal · 19/01/2018 18:34

Hmm,and now I see they did post after all. Not sure they were good enough to display twice but never mind!

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KnottyAndPistey · 19/01/2018 19:07

They are gorgeous!!

Thank you lovely people Gin

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Stitchit · 19/01/2018 19:21

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WitchDancer · 19/01/2018 19:49

They are lovely Diamonte. If the cone of shame isn't working then how about a T-shirt to stop her fretting her stitches?

Brings back memories of mine getting up on the roof of the bungalow next door with her cone of shame on 😂

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bookbook · 19/01/2018 19:52

I'm in - me and DD started early - we are doing a whole blanket together, we are on square #16 ( she is cooking on gas Grin With a fair wind, we may even get another done before the finish date . :)

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Spindelina · 19/01/2018 19:55

I’m very in! I work in radiation protection - this and Candy’s are the closest to my heart.

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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KnottyAndPistey · 19/01/2018 21:17

Ooo , you lot are speedy Grin

Quick reminder that we have Hugs for Heads yarn here that we can send if anyone wants to knit or hook a hat. We’re aiming to make sure each child has at least one hat to take Home along with their blankets.

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UnarmedKoala · 19/01/2018 22:33

I’m on this already, making a (rather bright) whole blanket Smile

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Stitchit · 19/01/2018 22:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stitchit · 19/01/2018 22:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bookbook · 19/01/2018 22:43

any washable , soft yarn Stitch for the hats.
This is the easiest hat ever ( it has to be for me to do it!) easy hat pattern

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UnarmedKoala · 19/01/2018 22:49
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DropZoneOne · 19/01/2018 22:50

I'm in! So hard to choose from the colours though ...

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confusednorthner · 19/01/2018 22:53

On behalf of the children can I say a huge Thank You! I organise a group for Friends of Chernobyl's Children and they are the most fabulous bunch. Having visited the children in their homes I know these will be much appreciated.

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KnottyAndPistey · 20/01/2018 07:53

Morning Woolly wonders!

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KnottyAndPistey · 20/01/2018 08:01

Love this pic from last year. The Isle of Wight organiser said these gorgeous girls lived in extreme poverty in Belarus with very very little. They absolutely loved their blankets and all the little extras we sent. And look at their faces! What a fabulous time they had on their holiday. :)

So glad we can do this. Thank you everyone xxxxx

Woolly Hugs. Chernobyl 2018 is HERE!!!
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EnidSingsTheBlues · 20/01/2018 08:04

Morning! I'm in

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