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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 · 22/07/2012 09:57

Morning Smile
Just catching up with PMs Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/07/2012 19:40

Mermaidspam I'm hoping you have mail from me, but I'm not sure Blush

Wine
PurplePidjin · 22/07/2012 20:12
Brew
TooOrangeyForCrows · 24/07/2012 15:42

I have finished my square! Have PMed you, Pistey. Do we have an icecream icon yet, cos it's too hot for tea here......

RatherBeOnThePiste · 24/07/2012 20:18

Evening all Wine

Just catching up with PMs Thanks

TooOrangeyForCrows · 24/07/2012 20:28

Received your PM, thanks.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/07/2012 22:56

Evening Wine

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 07:28

Morning Brew

droitwichmummy · 26/07/2012 08:12

Morning pidj

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 08:32

how's the weather up there

droitwichmummy · 26/07/2012 13:37

Beautiful again today - shame I have to go to work really Sad

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 15:55

Work sucks whatever the weather Sad

droitwichmummy · 26/07/2012 16:52

Now hot & sticky and still have to get on the train

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 17:24

I dread to think what my shoulders look like after spending the day in my parents' garden putting a bike for my nephew back together (i gave it a custom paint job on Tuesday)

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 26/07/2012 19:39

I am burnt after an afternoon in the park with the kids Angry The fifth sunny day this summer dd told me, she has been counting! How sad is that :(

I got the job I went for today! They wanted me to start tomorrow but have to wait until Saturday while I start the search for a childminder. Am delighted.

More rose buds to be made tonight for Aillidh :)

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 19:49

Is she counting all the sun we had back in March? Or does it not count because it's Spring?

Congratulations! What will you be doing?

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 26/07/2012 20:21

No only since the summer holidays started, so since June 29th.
I will be a staff nurse in a dementia ward. Hard work, not at all what my other job was (Staff nurse in an inpatient CAMHS unit) but still nursing, which is hard work to find here atm.

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 20:24

Dementia care is tough Sad

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 26/07/2012 20:32

Yeah, but can also be really rewarding. I really loved my gerontology training and placements in uni, but it's draining.

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 20:55

I've worked with people with ld's for 7 years now, it's draining. My dementia resident was fab, but watching someone in their early 40s deteriorate was heart-breaking.

droitwichmummy · 26/07/2012 20:56

FIL has dementia and goes into a care home on monday. I have huge admiration for anyone who works with sufferers

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 21:01

Working means walking away at the end of a shift to do something else. Families have the roughest deal imo

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 26/07/2012 21:10

Yes, it is very hard to see. Really though, any kind of nursing or caring is hard work in different ways. Worth it all in the end though, when someone thanks you :)
Sorry to hear that Droit :(

droitwichmummy · 26/07/2012 22:54

He has it together with motor neurone disease Sad have to say though that nhs, social services & marie curie have been really supportive to MIL

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 26/07/2012 23:58

I'm sorry to hear that Droit, that's very hard on you all.
But good news that your mil is getting good support and access to services.