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Woolly hugs

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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Original poster

Another blanket sadly needed :(

948 replies

purplepidjin · 18/08/2011 10:52

I've just heard the sad news about Magic8ballhasstheanswers leaving 6mo twins and a 4yo

If anybody would like to show their condolences, post here and we'll organise it. I'll take on construction again unless someone else would like a turn?

IvySedai (who messaged me to let me know) is happy to co-ordinate so PM's from Donors and Crafters needing a match to her please.

Previous squares were 6", knitted or crocheted. Blues, pinks and purples were the most popular colours. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino or Rowan Cashsoft DK (links are just the first ones I found on google) It's also available in John Lewis.

Lastly, was there anything in particular that Magic liked and could be incorporated in the design?

OP posts:

LawrieMarlow · 24/08/2011 20:22

I took my wool and needles with and knitted a bit on Riveaulx Terrace, a bit by Riveaulx Abbey and a bit by Byland Abbey. Will take a picture of it later :)

There is another way to do a square where you do it across the diagonal - start with one stitch and increase by one. Then increase by one every row until you get a side that is 6 inches (not the part on the needles as then it wouldn't be 6 inches along the sides of the square). Then decrease by one stitch each row. Means it doesn't matter what your tension is as you just keep going until it is right.

skinnymuffin · 24/08/2011 20:49

Thank you everyone for help with my tension (especially the massage!!).

I have finished my first square :)

33 stitches x 58 rows in garter stitch, thank you Lydia (again) - good to know I'm not 33% more tense than the average knitter...

I've uploaded a picture to my profile page if anyone wants a nosey?

Original poster

purplepidjin · 24/08/2011 20:59

skinny, you should be very proud of yourself

I have cast on 50 to try this pattern I haven't knitted for over 20 years. I am now going to have a bath and escape dp's etenal football obsession then i will swear at it futher. I have a bowl of chocolate ganache for company

OP posts:

Georgimama · 24/08/2011 21:03

thank you purple, the first two don't look too hard but I'm worried they may come up too big - 37 stitches and 55 rows but there is a border on it which I will try to take off. Or I will knit tight. And hope I don't waste thumbwitch's wool.

cover me, I'm going in. When dd stops bfing that is.

JemimaMuddledUp · 24/08/2011 21:09

Georgi - try a size smaller needles.

My dragonfly should have been 8x8 but I sized down the needles to make it 6x6

DairyBeetle · 24/08/2011 21:12

HappyMole I have the lovely purple wool and knitting is underway!
(Well it was then I realised that I had somehow ended up with an extra inch of stitches so am starting again. I can use a ruler, honest )

Georgimama · 24/08/2011 21:17

I've got 4mm needles so that should help - if it comes up slightly big I apologise profusely to whoever is putting it together.

Muser · 24/08/2011 21:39

I have wool and have started knitting. A bit concerned my size is going wrong, but I'm keeping on and seeing what I get. I like the idea of doing the square by increasing, but last time I tried to increase stitches it went hideously wrong. Decreasing I can do. Increasing confuses me.

Original poster

purplepidjin · 24/08/2011 21:59

Muser, just cast on then decrease til you get to 1

Anybody up enough on geometry to work out how many is in real life?

OP posts:

Original poster

purplepidjin · 24/08/2011 22:00

Oops, meant to add - make 2 of the above and sew them together to get a square!

OP posts:

lia66 · 24/08/2011 22:10

where is the star thread please

Original poster

purplepidjin · 24/08/2011 22:21

Star thread

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PisteysInManhatten · 25/08/2011 04:15

You know - they said they'd think about the star before, we've had the MN is very quiet and we will think about it next week line....

I have added my bit to the request though, but we really must remind them next week or it will be forgotten again!

happymole · 25/08/2011 07:22

DaisyBeetle :) I'm so glad it arrived. You are a for knitting it

SoupDragon · 25/08/2011 08:39

Neither of my two local wool shops has either of these types of wool in .I am fairly sure there won't be enough of the raspberry for the border of the third bear. Bah! I shall have to go further afield...

KnottyLocks · 25/08/2011 09:22

Soupy, what is the code number for the raspberry wool? Is it the Debbie Bliss or Rowan?

alibubbles · 25/08/2011 10:14

Is there any wool on it's way to me please? Thank you

KnottyLocks · 25/08/2011 10:28

Ali, if you PM Ivy she should be able to tell you.

TimeForCake · 25/08/2011 10:46

Maybe someone else will have some raspberry left over Soup, if it's only a small amount you need and are struggling to find some?

Very impressed at the sound of three bears! :)

lydiathetattooedlady · 25/08/2011 10:49

morning, without meaning to sound like a knitting swot-head, i thought id write down how many rows x stitches for various squares for knitters to guide them or do i sound like a bit of a dick?!

any how for a stocking stitch square (knit-a-row, purl-a-row) you need 33/34 stitches and 45/46 rows.

For a garter stitch square (knit every row) you'll need 33/34 stitches by 57-58 rows.

And for a square that goes diagonal (starting from 1 stitch, this is best for those who arent sure on tension)
1st row: knit into front and back and front again of starter stitch (your first stitch on needle) 3sts
2nd row: knit into front and back of your 1st st, knit to end 4sts

repeat 2nd row until you have 45 stitches or both sides measure 6 inches.

Then knit 2 together, knit to end and repeat this on every row to last 3 sts and k3tog.
Please feel free to throw paper balls, elastic bands, knitting needles etc!

skinny well done on your square!

Original poster

purplepidjin · 25/08/2011 10:53

Lydia, you just answered my question from last night!

Muser, cast on 45 then decrease by 1 st either end until you get to 1. Do this twice then sew the two together

OP posts:

gapants · 25/08/2011 11:42

thanks lydia

I have finished 2 dry runs on my practice wool The heart one came up really pretty, but the dragon fly one is too big. Any tips on reducing it? I used similar (Rowan merino) DK wool on size 8 needles.

Still nothing in the post from my donor- bugger you royal mail! I really want to get everything knitted up over the bank holiday and then on to purplepidjin on the Tuesday.

BearGryllsBra · 25/08/2011 11:50

Just wanted to say thanks to lia66 for the lovely raspberry wool which arrived today. I bought a couple of others too, one from Cucumberpatch who were indeed very speedy, and some from Yarn. Made two last night which came out different sizes! but will get cracking with more over the next few days. They are only granny squares though, hope that's ok.

Off to add my two penn'orth to the thread.

Thumbwitch · 25/08/2011 12:09

Georgi you are an absolute star for trying the butterfly! When we get our emoticon (MNHQ, are you listening?) then you will get MANY of them, thank you :).

NessaRose · 25/08/2011 12:17

I have a bit of a problem, DD the little madam has hidden my knitting needles so I cant finish the last square until either dd or I find them!! Where would a 2yo hide them I wonder.

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