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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:
DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 27/07/2012 06:45

Morning all Brew Well done on the job Formerly and I'm sorry about your FIL Droit - I am also in huge awe of people who work with the elderly. I am not very good with old people in general, and with people who can no longer be logical in particular. I just do not the have skill set required for helping them. My grandfather is starting to lose it a bit, although not dementia, just an extremely selective memory and lots of rewriting the past. I struggle to even go and visit him. He winds me up so badly. Everyone else tells me to just smile and ignore him, but I just can't do it. I must endevour to visit him again soon and attempt to do some self-improvement...

LackaDAISYcal · 27/07/2012 09:00

Morning Brew

Been away, and then the usual first hectic week of the holidays, so I am very behind on my woolly hugs knitting Blush

Can I just check on the last posting dates?

soremummy · 27/07/2012 09:13

Daisy someone needs help with address to post to have you got it

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/07/2012 10:02

Morning all Smile

Last posting for both the current projects is Monday 6th August. PM me when you are ready for posting Thanks

HairyPotter · 27/07/2012 10:42

Pistey have my squares turned up yet? I posted them on Saturday and am stressing they may have gone astray. Mind you, I did use 2nd class post

MOSagain · 27/07/2012 16:00

had a panic yesterday when I realised I'd been neglecting my square due to RL being a bit of a bastard at the moment. Happily managed to finish it yesterday and start the square for expats blanket. Have PMed for address. will it be the same for both?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/07/2012 18:27

Evening all Wine

Just having a lovely time going through the woolly treasures that have arrived. Will be posting full thanks a bit later X Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/07/2012 18:53

Lovely woolly treasures arriving safely - all totally gorgeoise Thanks

Thanks GrapesAnatomy Pale blue and cream crochet, just lovely Star

Thanks HairyPotter Pale blue snuggly knits, gorgeoise Star

Thanks GiveMeAMinute Purple, cream and blue snuggly squares Star

Thanks NeitherShreddedNorSmug Lovely textured knits , lovely initial too Star

Thanks to all, they are beautiful Thanks

And a thank you to a very kind donor, your donation has arrived safely and we are enormously grateful to you..

Thanks DontForgetTheLightAlesLawrence

You are a star X

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 28/07/2012 00:04

Thanks pistey

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/07/2012 23:38

Evening Wine

Lovely woolly treasure arriving safely today, many, many thanks Thanks

Thanks AJumpedUpPantryBoy Beautiful crochet in cream and green Star

Thanks NUFC69 Super snuggly purple moss stitch squares, lovely. Star

Thanks LinzerTorte Gorgeoise pale blue knitted square, smashing. Star

We will make sure cards go to the families with the blankets. Thanks

SoupDragon · 29/07/2012 02:08

[waves]

I've done one starry square from my donor wool. I need to browse a few bore pattern ideas now. Thankfully my villa has WiFi :)

Mermaidspam · 29/07/2012 10:54

Morning all.

I did have mail from you pistey! Just looking for a pattern while waiting for wool

Smile
RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/07/2012 23:23

Still no woolly wool Mermaid? Aaarrrrggghhhhh!!!! It was sent on Saturday as far as I know, I shall go back and check for you X

Evening Wine

Two lovely donors to thank tonight, heartfelt thanks to you both, we honestly are so grateful X

Thanks BIWI

Thanks GwendolineMaryLacey

You are both stars Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 07:19

Mermaid your woolly wool was actually ordered on Friday. If it hasn't arrived by tomorrow, can you let me know? Should have been with you on Sat.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 16:10

More gorgeous squares have arrived safely, very many thanks Thanks

Thanks YouCanRingMyBell Purple and silver snuggly knits, gorgeoise Star

Thanks TooOrangeyForCrows Beautiful blue garter stitch square, lovely Star

Just gorgeoise, thank you, we will ensure all cards go to the families safely X ThanksThanksThanks

Mermaidspam · 30/07/2012 23:26

No probs pistey, I'll let you know.

droitwichmummy · 31/07/2012 07:53

Photo on my profile. Will send them in a couple of days with the ones for Expat

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/07/2012 12:11

Looking forward to seeing them in the wool Droitwich they are stunning.

Hoping to hear of a woolly arrival with Mermaid

Mermaidspam · 31/07/2012 12:46

Still nothing pistey Sad

Mermaidspam · 31/07/2012 12:48

Ignore that last message! Postie has just popped back with a lovely ball of cream Debbie Bliss! Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/07/2012 13:58

Really good news Mermaid, you are cleared for take off Smile PM me if you get stuck on the time front though.

More woolly treasure arriving safely today, many thanks Thanks

Thanks IShallWearMidnight Beautiful blue textured knits, just lovely Star

Thanks PiggyPlumPie Gorgeoise snuggly blue textured knits Star

Piggy, we will make sure your cards get to the families safely, and thank you for mine X Thanks

givemeaminute · 31/07/2012 20:37

Glad my squares arrived ok. X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/08/2012 09:48

More woolly treasure arriving safely this morning, thank you Thanks

Thanks twitchrabbit Gorgeously snuggly garter square, lovely Star

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/08/2012 11:03

Just had another delivery! I must say I wasn't hopeful for any today as we are somewhat landlocked by the Olympic cycling, didn't think the posties would get in, but they have, twice Grin

More woolly treasure arriving safely today, many thanks to all Thanks

Thanks Macarooned Beautiful blue and green crochet, super snuggly Star

Thanks CoffeandChocolatePlease Gorgeoise blue and purple crochet and knits, lovely initial too. Star Many thanks for the Galaxy X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 12:55

Afternoon all Wine

Lovely woolly treasure has arrived safely, heartfelt thanks Thanks

Thanks MOS Just lovely, a super snuggly pale blue knit Star

Thanks MoaningMinnie Pale blue and purple gorgeous textured knits Star

You are both stars X