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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:
KnitterNotTwitter · 07/08/2012 23:57

Hey - 4 squares for the latest batch of blankets (excl 2girlies which I'll start next) on their way to you tomorrow...

Links to the ravelry project pages below if people are interested

ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/qdixf
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/307hx
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/3nksd
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/a0bq8

KnitterNotTwitter · 07/08/2012 23:58

Rats forgot to hit the 'convert' box...:

Hey - 4 squares for the latest batch of blankets (excl 2girlies which I'll start next) on their way to you tomorrow...

Links to the ravelry project pages below if people are interested

ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/qdixf
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/307hx
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/3nksd
ravel.me/KnitterMuffin/a0bq8

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/08/2012 07:52

Morning Brew

Lovely squares KNT, I need to be uploading those to the crafing guide Smile

StellaMarie · 08/08/2012 08:13

So glad they arrived safely. It was such a beautiful teal colour that my donor selected and a joy to work with. Thanks to my donor!

SoupDragon · 08/08/2012 10:44

horribly behind with this... Sorry!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/08/2012 18:12

Stand by, lots of thank yous coming up........

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/08/2012 18:29

Lots of gorgeous woolly treasure arriving safely this afternoon from all over the country and even further afield, and the lovely (slightly puffing ) Posty wished us luck with our blanketeering, she doesn't know MN Shock but may try to knit us a square Smile

Thanks greengoose Beautiful crochet in green and purple, and a fabulous 'sunscreen' embroidered square, just lovely Star

Thanks Cakey Just beautiful, a crochet square in green, really super Star

Thanks stressedHEmum Love the silver star, gorgeoise textured knits too Star

Thanks MidnightKnitter Your tension is fine, honestly! Super garter stripe and snuggly moss in greens Star

Thanks FrankieandArthur Gorgeous snuggly textured knits in blues Star

Thanks SwedishEdith Absolutely gorgeous green and purple textured knits Star

Thanks Dundeemarmalade Beautiful textured knits in cream, really lovely Star

Thanks BigboobiedBertha Lovely mid blue basket weave knit, fabulous Star

Heartfelt thanks to everyone, what an amazing response we are having! The blanket for Mumof2teenboys will be absolutely glorious. Thanks

Thank you

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/08/2012 18:29

In the fullness of time, there will be photos of the finished blankets on the woolly hugs website We will announce they are up with a link here, and on Facebook and Twitter, both MNWoollyHugs, so if you have liked us or follow us, you will see it in your newsfeed.

And as always, rest assured all cards will be looked after until they travel with the blankets X

SoupDragon · 08/08/2012 18:46

OK. These are the four I've done for this blanket. I still have lots of donor wool to use up as the pale two were done from stash. I could do a couple of plain ones with the midnight blue & grey maybe?

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 08/08/2012 19:31

Mine are late too Soupy.......but they are on their way!!!!

KnottyLocks · 09/08/2012 08:36

Morning all Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/08/2012 15:58

Afternoon all Smile

More woolly treasure has arrived safely, all absolutely lovely Thanks

Thanks DillyTante Absolutely lovely crochet stripes and flower squares, in green and pale blue Star

Thanks TodaysAGoodDay A beautifully knitted purl square in green Star

Thanks RedRosie Absolutely lovely snuggly green knit, super, absolutely no apologies needed X Star

Thanks DancesWithWoolsEnPointe Lovely greens and blue, a diagonal and initials S and J, super Star

Thanks KnitternotTwitter Totally gorgeoise pale blue textured knit, smashing, so snuggly Star

Heartfelt thanks to all Thanks

Xx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/08/2012 12:59

Lovely woolly treasure arriving safely this lunchtime Thanks

Thanks Eskarina Lovely green and purple knits, basket weave and a ribbed one Star

Thanks LookAtHerGo Lovely granny in green, cream and blue, super Star

Thanks Faverolles Super snuggly squares in cream garter Star

Thanks AllMuddledUp Gorgeous textured knits in a sea blue and mid blue Star

Thanks OpheliaBumps absolutely lovely, an initial J and a moon pattern in a lovely green Star

Thanks JulesJules Lovely green textured knits, so very snuggly Star

Thanks WhoKnowsWheretheTimeGoes Simply lovely, a wavy crochet pattern in blues and cream Star

Heartfelt thanks to all, as always thank you for cards for the families, we will look after those until the time comes Thanks

Much starry starriness all around X

AllMuddledUp · 11/08/2012 16:11

Hooray they arrived!

I really enjoyed trying out some new patterns, thanks to the fabulous knitting guide on the woolly hugs website.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/08/2012 12:52

Hello there Smile

Lovely woolly treasure has arrived safely, heartfelt thanks to all Thanks

Thanks MyNewCatIsfab Absolutely lovely, snuggly knits in teal, green and cream, just lovely Star

Thanks Whore Just lovely, a green granny, snuggly blue knit and purple and grey granny Star

Thanks MinnieBar Totally gorgeoise knits - a bottle green daisy stitch and tribal sun, just lovely Star

Thanks Umami Beautiful green and cream crochet with quotes from 'Sunscreen' embroidered on, absolutely lovely. Star

Apologies, I missed the post arriving this morning so a registered packet has gone to the sorting office, I have a red card Smile Sadly they are only open until 12, so I will go first thing tomorrow. Thanks

Enormous thanks to all Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/08/2012 17:19

More woolly treasure arriving safely today, tis all gorgeous!

Thanks PracticallyPerfectNot Lovely knitted moon and singing stickman, really super and haven't found any sand yet!! Star

Thanks WhenIsItMySleepyTime Lovely bluey grey, purple and green grannies, gorgeous. Star

All lovely, heartfelt thanks X

PurplePidjin · 15/08/2012 08:23
Brew
RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/08/2012 15:27

More lovely lovely woolly treasure to coo over Smile All just lovely! Thanks

Thanks PrettyBird Three different cable designs in cream and two blues, absolutely lovely Star

Thanks GetOnYourDancingShoes Beautiful knits and crochet, a moon and stars design, grannies and all sorts of lovely snuggly textures Star

Once again I say it, but honest, heartfelt thanks to all Thanks We will keep all cards safely until they travel with the blankets.

You are all stars X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/08/2012 15:11

Lovely woolly treasure arriving safely this morning Thanks

Thanks BarbaraWoodlouse Gorgeous snuggly textured blue knit, really lovely Star

Thank you so much X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 18/08/2012 14:08

More woolly treasure arriving safely today, huge thanks Thanks

Thanks Lackadaisycal Beautiful crochet, a deep blue square with cream star, and the same with a moon, plus a fabulous knitted cabled heart, just stunning Star

We'll look after your card until the time comes and it travels with the blanket

Thank you X
Thanks

PurplePidjin · 18/08/2012 14:46
Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/08/2012 08:13

Morning Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/08/2012 13:55

Woolly treasure has arrived! Tis absolutely lovely, enormous thanks Thanks

Thanks Soupy Beautiful stars on navy, gorgeously snuggly textured squares and a fabulous sun design thank you Star

Thank you X

PurplePidjin · 21/08/2012 14:43
Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/08/2012 11:54

Lovely woolly treasure arriving safely today, heartfelt thanks Thanks

Thanks LandofSoapandGlory Gorgeously snuggly textured knits in silver and pale blue, just lovely Star

Thanks