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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

A Blanket for Mumof2TeenBoys: Sign up thread for donors and crafters

411 replies

KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 14:14

You may have heard the devastating news that Mumof2teenboys' beloved son, James, passed away this week. He was just 22 years old.
Mumof2teenboys' thread is here
Our thoughts are with James, his family and friends.

We have offered to make a blanket.
The family are very grateful and Mumof2 said that a woolly hug sounded so good right now and that they would appreciate a hug very much.
We hope that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them all.

So, we need knitters, crocheters and donors.

If you would like to donate wool, then we will try match you with a crafter.
We think that there may be wool still in circulation because of the current blanket project. Where possible, we hope to 'recycle' as much as we possibly can.

RatherBeOnThePiste will coordinate and match crafters and donors, and deal with the admin side. I'll try to answer any queries you may have.

If you would like to be involved in any way, please post on this thread and PM Pistey with your offers: crafting, donating, need wool, etc, and she will match you up.
If you are offering to donate, we would be grateful if you would let us know if you'd like to donate 1 or 2 balls of wool. One ball should make at least 2 x 6? squares, in some cases more.
Whatever way you'd like to be involved, please PM Pistey: it really helps us to know how many people are involved. Thanks

If you are a crocheter and/or an experienced knitter needing donor wool, could you let us know when you PM us as we can hopefully send part balls from the 'recycled' wool stash. Thanks.

The wool we are using:

  • Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (NOT the baby cashmerino)

  • or Rowan Cashsoft DK.

They are very similar and can be combined.

  • 4mm knitting needles or hooks

  • knitters cast on 33 stitches (this is a guide for less experienced knitters)

  • 6" squares

The two new yarns we introduced recently:

*Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK.
It's another 'silky' wool that fits in nicely alongside the DB and Rowan wools and can be combined with both.

*Artesano Superwash Merino DK.
Although it isn't as silky as our normal wools, it is soft yet hardy and washes in the same way. It has the added appeal of being a good ethical option and is very reasonably priced.

The Colours:

Blues, greens, warm purples, silvers and cream (preferably Debbie Bliss 013 cream, if possible)

Ideas for squares:

The initials J, S and M

Motifs: Suns, Moons

James' favourite song was . Listening to it as I typed this, I felt I should include this as the words are just so poignant.
If any of you can embroider, the family have asked if the word 'sunscreen' can be incorporated.

Please don't feel daunted by any of the ideas as we really love plain squares and simple textures too. They look as stunning as the more complex squares and actually play a vital role in the overall effect.

Previous blankets can be seen on the WoollyHugs website. We also have a Facebook page: MNWoollyHugs.

As always, thank you so much for your support.

Thanks Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/07/2012 20:20

Lots of lovely donors to thank tonight, your wool has arrived safely with your crafter, or your donation has arrived safely with us. Either way we give you our heartfelt thanks, we honestly couldn't manage without you Thanks

Thanks RedRosie

Thanks AutumnLady

Thanks ChazsBrilliantAttitude

Thanks OwFriggingOw

Thanks CakeistheAnswer

Thanks Maxmissie

You are all [stars] bless you.

Thank you too for all PMs Thanks

soremummy · 12/07/2012 20:59

My first square is done with the letter J. Many thanks to my donor. I'm about to embark on another one before bed.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 07:20

Morning Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 07:59

PMs replied to, off to work as usual, back at lunchtime. Hoping to hear of more woolly arrivals today Thanks

Just a reminder that the last POSTING date for the squares is Monday 6th August

ThanksThanks

droitwichmummy · 13/07/2012 17:45

DH has reported a woolly arrival. Will pm Pistey when I get home

droitwichmummy · 13/07/2012 19:30

Some lovely purple wool has arrived. Will see if I can find something appropriate to embroider sunscreen onto it.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 19:53

Sounds lovely Droitchwich Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 08:06

Morning Brew

Lots of PMs, hopefully all replied to Thanks to all X

KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 13:19

Afternoon, lovelies Smile

I've asked that this thread is moved to Arts and Crafts so it can be preserved.

OP posts:
strictlycomedancingdiva · 14/07/2012 13:54

Afternoon all, Pistey has confirmed receipt of my donation, hope someone will be receiving some wool soon.... I'd like to re-learn the art of knitting... x x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 14:09

Heartfelt thanks to more lovely donors, we honestly couldn't manage without you, your contributions are as much a part of the blanket projects as that of the crafters.

Either your wool has arrived safely with your crafter, or your donation has arrived safely with us Thanks

Thanks strictlycomedancingdiva

Thanks MrsY

Thanks Milliways

Thanks Cupofteanadajammiedodger

And squares have arrived for Mumof2 as well, just lovely Thanks

Thanks WoollyWoolfe Absolutely lovely, your sunscreen square made me go goose bumpy, it is perfect, the others simply gorgeous too. Star Thanks

WoollyWoolfe · 14/07/2012 15:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 15:46

Woolly, I've seen a pic of your square too. It's just perfect Smile Thanks so much.

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 17:30

News that another lovely donor has got woolly wool to their crafter, thank you so much, we really appreciate it X

Thanks BettySuarez

PurplePidjin · 14/07/2012 22:00
Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/07/2012 17:17

Some thank yous this evening, we have heard of more woolly wool arriving with crafters, and have had more donations arrive safely with us. For both we say the most enormous thank you Xx Thanks

Thanks Yani

Thanks OneMinute

Thanks CadleCrap

And beautiful squares arrived at mine this afternoon, I had a special delivery Smile

Thanks flubba These really are gorgeoise, dark blue granny squares, just lovely and snuggly. Star

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 06:15

Morning Brew

KnottyLocks · 16/07/2012 07:27

Morning Smile

OP posts:
DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 16/07/2012 09:58

Morning Brew - I am posting today Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 13:26

Hooray! Tis lunchtime Smile

Answering lovely PMs, many thanks all Thanks

OwFriggingOw · 16/07/2012 19:41

Hoping you received a card from me today - if so, I'd be really pleased if half could go to Expat's blanket and half to Mumof please xx

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 16/07/2012 20:15

woolly wool received today, will be hooking this evening thinking of mumof2 and her James

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 20:36

Really pleased to hear that formerly Smile

OwfriggingOw - not today, fingers crossed for tomorrow X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 20:37

But yes of course when it comes, I will do that for you X Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 20:38

A lovely donor to thank tonight, your donation has arrived safely with us and we are very grateful to you...

Thanks fivegomadindorset