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.

@KnottyAndPistey did you get my PM?

<rushes off>

... but I don't seem to have the bit of cream I thought I did, so the Wordle square wouldn't work anyway... Maybe an idea for somebody else?

I'm doing a corner to corner wordle square in green and cream. I should be able to post a picture soon (once I've finished the border).

I couldn’t get all the colours I wanted from one supplier in the UK so I made a big order from ritohobby.co.uk They are being sent from Denmark (?) and although it says delivery in 4 - 6 days they haven’t arrived yet.

However, the colours I needed in Drops Extrafine Merino are now back in stock at Wool Warehouse , at £2:45 for a 50g ball. I mention this in case anyone needs to make an order, but they say there’s a 4 - 6 days delay in despatching orders.

My patterns are sorted, I just need the wool to start knitting.

Afternoon

big thanks everyone

Afternoon all
Just returned from a few days away to find my wooley package...
Thank you.
Will make a start this evening and update when finished my first square.

I can't knit but I sent some wool to a Mner and she is knitting squares with flowers on 💐

Terrible pic taken at work (hoping to slip these into the work post later!) but here is my contribution. Just 4 granny squares with the wool donated to me, 2 have a sort of flower motif in the middle. Sorry it isnt more. I tried to be clever and design a cat square using mosaic crochet but I completely messed it up and had to ditch the yarn. I hope these squares help. Lots of love to Jan's family.

My yarn has finally arrived, including the red, white and blue I ordered for the US flag.

I see that bookbook has already done one of those now, though. Should I make a second flag or just knit other squares?

More gorgeous donors to thank - honestly you are such a vital, core part of these projects and we couldn't function without you! You make these projects inclusive and that means THE WORLD.

Either your yarn has arrived safely with your crafter, or funds with us and we have sent out yarn on your behalf. Marvellous stuff, thank you

@BIWI

@caringcarer

@cittigirl

Thank you so much everyone

@SilverSilverStreet I'd say a second flag would be wonderful, it is significant to the family so more than one is lovely!

@Wherethewildthymeblows Beautiful woolly treasure. LOVE seeing pics on these threads, thank you

Your tension is so good. I wish I could knit like that. That's why I just buy wool and let the talented ones knit/crochet the squares.

@KnottyAndPistey thank you for your quick and helpful answer.

First square completed

Is it OK to use beads for small details? I’m thinking of the stars on the US flag, for instance.

As far as I know the beads are machine washable, that is I’ve washed things I’ve beaded with no damage.

This is meant to be a sunset but I'm not sure if the colours are right. Would it be better without the pink and/or with a darker blue??

I think it is perfect as it is @BlueEyeshadow

I love the cat @TatiannaBoulard - in fact I want one in real JUST LIKE THAT!

@SilverSilverStreet We've always avoided using beads etc on these Hugs, we just don't know the ages of children who may well use it, so we've always gone down the no bead/button route. Sorry, they would be stunning I know

For Jan, with love in every stitch xx

Understood. I wouldn’t have put them on the Snugs or Chernobs for that reason, but will leave them off this, too.

I’m glad I asked.

Last 2 squares to use up the donated suffragette colours (huge thanks again to the donor). Hopefully the flowers are passable as tulips (the backing is dark blue I had but does look rather purple-y in the photo!). I’ll pop them in the post with the letter squares as soon as I can get to the post office. The pictures of all the squares are amazing, the blanket will be beautiful. With much love xxx

Next two squares..