Woolly Hugs: A blanket in memory of JanH.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Just devastating. Like many we just couldn’t take it in that lovely JanH had died. Utterly shocking. We had no idea she was ill. Words really do fail, we are just so very sorry life has been so cruel to her and her family.

Jan was one of the original Mumsnetters when it was first started. The site owes much to those early posters, they really did act as cornerstones. She has been a busy poster ever since. Many of you will have been supported by JanH on the vast number of threads she supported, whether it was advice on child tax credits, CVs, pensions, buying tents, holidays in France, cars, washing machines etc. She was the undefeated Queen of the Google search, and so funny and kind, giving SO MUCH of herself to others in need of help and support. She had a real zest for helping others. A real inspiration.

We are so pleased to say that her family have accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that they will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them.

We want to make this blanket a real tribute and celebration, will you join us?

We shall need crocheters, knitters and donors. If you would like to donate wool or funds, we can match you up. If you would like to join in but need donated wool, we can help there too. Please PM with your offer of help.

We have spoken with her daughter and friends to create a list of colours/ideas, but fully recognise folks may have their own memories or ideas through MN.

Our palette for JanH. The main colours..

• Blues, her favourite colour.

JanH was a passionate feminist and so we are looking at using suffragette colours too

• Suffragette purple (Think Cadbury chocolate colour)
• Suffragette green (Darker, more forest green)
• Cream but please one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white

Accents - so not whole squares, but use within a square

• Oranges
• Burgundy
• Yellow
• Silver
• Pinks
• Red
• Other greens

The Yarns.. Just from the brands listed please because we know they combine for wash and wear. If you still have any of our wools that have been discontinued - Artesano Superwash Merino DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Sublime extra fine DK, or James C. Brett Pure Merino DK in your stash, please do use them.

The Yarn we will be Using….

• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK currently on sale HERE
• Drops Merino Extra Fine DK, currently on sale here…
• Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK, currently ob sale here..
• Katia Merino 100% DK, small discounts on their website here…
• King Cole Luxury Merino DK. Try Wool Warehouse, can't find it on sale
• Patons Merino Extrafine DK Currently on sale https://ladysewandsewknits.co.uk/product/patons-merino-extrafine-dk/ here]
• Also Ebay is always a possible option. Please shout through if you need help.

Ideas for themed squares
Suffragettes
She loved her garden, her favourite flowers were tulips, lilies and alstroemerias.
She adored cats
She loved a good weather app, and was always one for a forecast, and her ‘lovely’ Lancashire weather, so rain clouds and possibly sun! She loved a sunset too.
She was passionate about recycling
She loved red wine!
She loved travel
She loved playing Wordle
She loved the music of Paul Simon
If anyone would like to make a set of initials (want to make sure we have them equally represented) they are J, B, S, J, J, F, A.
She had lived in the States and there are still family connections to New York. Can anyone create the American flag?
She adored BOOTHS in Cumbria, and would send the Christmas book to folk who lived too far away! This has a relatively straight forward logo, will post below, but it could be possible.

These really are just ideas, we also need simple squares too. Simple or complex, made by beginner or expert, we genuinely welcome them all. It really is the love and thought that counts.

Squares to be six inches, using 4mm needles or hook. Please knot off VERY carefully when finishing or changing colour and sew your ends in, thank you!

Posting will be to Teddington, just PM if you need the address. A provisional last posting date of the end of September, so around 6 weeks away.

JanH was such an absolute rock for so many here on Mumsnet, time to do something for her now. We were lucky to know her.

Sending so much love. It is poignant we start today as her funeral is taking place.

@Wherethewildthymeblows if you look on the Woolly Hugs website you can see examples of previous projects.

However, the people that construct the blankets are a very skilled bunch that can combine knitted and crocheted squares and always succeed in making the most magnificent layout. There will be complex designs and simple designs and plain granny squares are just as important as those made from intricate patterns and complicated colour work. They are rightly described as "made with love in every stitch".

Lovely idea - I'm not a knitter but would love to contribute (let me know what would be most useful)

Thanks for the link. I'll have a look later when I have a minute.

I bought Berry (84) and Forest (100) in Debbie Bliss Rialto but I'm quite sure the shades are right 🤔Anyone else got the same shades? What do you think?

Here is the first of my squares for the family , with much love in the stitches .
*@ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs - hope you are well . Things busy here , so my squares will be a bit slower getting done - ( twin granddaughters taking up a lot of my crafting time now )

That's amazing book book.

Thank you to everyone who is contributing 😊

That's brilliant BookBook!

Morning!

@bookbook you are a legend. That’s wonderful. Thank you!

@Raiponceinatangle that’s great news. And thank you again for taking on the initials. It’s a big job

@Wherethewildthymeblows a classic granny sits beautifully within a blanket like this. Great news about the yarn arriving safely. Thank you again lovely donors

@SwedishEdith Sound lovely but I’ll check for you anyway

Thanks folks. Just away to PMs

I’m sitting on Weymouth Harbour. This is my current view

@bookbook we really do need to catch up properly.

Your square is gorgeous! As always 😘

Im just in town having to have more eye checks. When I get home, I'm going to ignore all of the things I need to & sort out my wool for Jan's squares.

mine will be exactly like yours, except not so neat & without the flag 🤣

I'm glad to be sending squares, I'm gutted there's a reason to.

Thank you 😊

Love that US flag square. So clever. I always have ideas and then realise I have no idea how to do them 😄

Initials are done, I’ve got some yarn leftover so I’ll try & do something else from the list. Made with much love x

❤️❤️

@Raiponceinatangle You are awesome! Quite literally we are filled with awe. Wonderful treasure. Thank you!

@SwedishEdith yrs. Gorgeous. Go for it. Thank you

@JustineMumsnet Thats so kind, thank you. Have sent on email via LilyMN

@ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs

”mine will be exactly like yours, except not so neat & without the flag 🤣”

brilliant 😃😃😃😃😃

Raiponceinatangle amazing, love them ❤️

So sad that this is even having to be done though 😞

Three done - colours are more suffragette-y than the photo suggests and they look more like four heart motifs as well. In fact, I seem to have taken a wholly unrepresentative photo (and it's upside down as well).

Anyway, you get the gist. I have a couple of blues too and will make more squares. Love the ones shown so far, you talented lot!

@KnottyAndPistey are we able to give you squares at the London Hugathon, please and thank you?