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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.

Original poster

Very sadly another blanket is needed, for Chipmonkey....

726 replies

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/10/2011 22:22

We have heard the dreadfully sad news that Chipmonkey's baby daughter died unexpectedly this week. Condolence thread is here Chipmonkey has said tonight that she would love to receive a MN blanket.

Because Knotty is snowed under a mountain of wool, I am taking on the coordination for this, so if you are a donor or a crafter needing a match - please PM me and I will match you up. I know there is an amazing army of donor, knitter and crochet stars, and I am hoping that you will feel able to help with this blanket too.

So if you feel that you can help, please PM me with your offers: crafting, donating, need wool, don't need wool, and I will sort it all out, and when you are ready to post, PM me for the address.

I will have to get back on the deadline...

But thank you in advance.

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 13/10/2011 23:41

Lewis, stick with knit (garter stitch) until you've sorted your tension. Try a square: cast on 33 stitches using a DK wool and 4mm needles and knit until it's 6". Often trying to do both can make your tension a bit wooooooooo.

If you stick a photo on your profile, some of our more experienced knitters will be able to advise you. You could even start a thread in Arts and Crafts. There are loads of lovely knitty experts that will help.

Alambil · 13/10/2011 23:49

thanks :) I will order myself a ball and practice

Original poster
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/10/2011 05:58

Go for it LewisFan!

OP posts:
Original poster
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/10/2011 06:03

Squares for Chipmonkey to me please by Friday 28th October

Back by lunchtime, so will answer any PMs then, please don't think I'm ignoring you until then!

PM me when you are ready to post and I can let you have the address

Thank you so much, everyone is lovely.
Thanks

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/10/2011 09:11

About to package mine up and post it now. I had about 5 false starts (haven't done any crochet for a while and it is weird not working to a pattern), but I am going to take a photo of it before it goes and make a note of the stitches. It would be nice to think we won't have to do this again, but if another blanket is needed it will be useful to have the notes.

TimeForCake · 14/10/2011 09:20

Wish i'd only had 5 false starts! Grin More like 500 here with my L plates on.
Whoknows do you think I'm ok just to do double crochet stitch or is that too basic/ not suitable? Will I have to do anything else with the edges or just make sure my square is 6" and stop? Sorry to pounce on you with my questions. You can tell I'm a beginner, eh?!

KnottyLocks · 14/10/2011 12:32

Cakey, double crochet is absolutely fine, my lovely. Just make sure that it's 6" square. No need to do anything with the edges apart from having some Grin

rubycon · 14/10/2011 12:35

The wool has arrived, thank you Spiderslegs.

androbbob · 14/10/2011 13:01

Square - now that is a problem! I hope the chief joiner-upper of the sqaures has some patience as mine is not the best! I will learn by the end of my 3rd one! I did crochet years ago and found a tutorial on the web.

TimeForCake · 14/10/2011 13:09

Grin Thanks for the reassurance Knotty. Thanks

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/10/2011 13:11

Pistey it's in the post

I use this website for reminding me how to crochet

Learn to Knit

KnottyLocks · 14/10/2011 13:20

Androbbob, what shape is it then? If it's squareish, it'll be ok once it's hooked into place. The squares either side of it will straighten it up, IYSWIM.

prettybird · 14/10/2011 13:38

Androbob - the first of my squares will need stretching to make it square: I was experimenting with cable and learnt from experience that you need a stabilising rib either side of the cables. The following two were better :)

Knottylocks has reassured me that she is up to the job of ensuring it will be the right shape once it is in place :)

KnottyLocks · 14/10/2011 13:47

Er, that's quite a bit of pressure there, Prettybird!

I shall do my very bestest Smile

prettybird · 14/10/2011 13:49

I'm sure you willGrin. It's not that bad :) - and it's very stretchy, 'cos the "back" stitch is garter.

Original poster
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/10/2011 14:24

I'll tell you what Pretty, every night I'll get your squares out and give them a little encouraging stretch. What say you?!

Came home to a pile of PMs which I have worked my way through, thank you to everyone... Wine

TimeForCake - you and me with the L plates then! I always have false starts, but my worst mistake came as I was casting off my very first square that I'd actually got to the right size. In casting off I dropped a stitch and I froze, and swore quite a lot as I recall Blush but then sort of retrieved it, and it was OK, but I couldn't believe it! What a plonker I am

OP posts:
prettybird · 14/10/2011 14:33

It's only the one square that looks a bit, well, rectangular Grin - but it "pins" out to the right size IYSWIM.

Knottylocks - I was trying to persuade Piste that once she's mastered purl, then cabling is actually quite straight forward and looks really impressive.

TimeForCake · 14/10/2011 14:57

Grin Pistey. One day we'll look back at this and wonder what we found so hard! I have improved, but absolutely cannot do anything else whilst crocheting or I lose count or completely forget what on earth I'm doing. Tried watching tv at the same time which was very unsuccessful to say the least. Have a feeling that I look like a little kid concentrating hard, tongue out and everything! Grin

Original poster
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/10/2011 14:57

Very many thanks today to Niecie

Your beautiful blue knitting is gorgeoise.

Many thanks Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/10/2011 15:15

TimeForCake I think we are the same person Wine Cheers!
Everything you say, I do!! I tried watching Spooks and knitting a bunt, well it was a bloody disaster Confused

If I go wrong I can't save it, I can't go back and fix it, I just have to cut it off and start again. Someone, probably Knots said you can get three squares out of a ball, well there have been times when I've only just squeaked one Blush

But I do like a challenge, even though my family aren't entirely supportive of my knitting attempts and do tend to titter at my expense quite a lot.

But I am nothing if not determined Grin

OP posts:
LadyWellian · 14/10/2011 15:52

Righto, I've liberated my wool from the delivery office, so many many thanks to my lovely donor. I had a similar experience to Octopus but having given a fairly detailed description of the package, including where it had come from, he grudgingly agreed to let me take it rather than putting it out for redelivery.

Now, once I can shake off the lassitude of the lunchtime beer that accompanied my meeting with a friend, I'll start thinking about how to make the best of two lovely shades of Debbie Bliss pink.

Thanks and Thanks again to my donor and to the wonders that are Pistey, Knotty and Pidj.

And starry starriness all round Grin

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/10/2011 15:55

I do it in front of the telly, but it has to be a programme that you can more or less just listen to in the background, and a very straightforward pattern. Sky+ is very handy as you can get to the end of your row and rewind a bit if you miss a good bit! I try and make sure I never stop halfway through a row, especially never put it down.

LadyWellian · 14/10/2011 16:09

... once I have finished my bunt for Knotty, that is.

prettybird · 14/10/2011 16:12

Next time I'm in John Lewis, I'll get some more wool and do some more squares. :)

KnottyLocks · 14/10/2011 16:59

Oi Welli! When you posting your bunt then?

I do know it'll be worth the wait Smile