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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.

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Woolly hugs

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
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givemeaminute · 07/07/2012 16:21

I've not contributed to one of these before but I'd be happy to knit a few squares. I will try and PM (not done that before either).

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tribpot · 07/07/2012 16:23

Just hit 'Message Poster' beside Knotty's name, givemeaminute - or feel free to PM me for practice!

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 16:26

Givemeaminute, all the details about wool to use and measurements are in the OP. Feel free to ask any questions you have on here.

You need to PM Ratherbeonthepiste, she's posted near the top of the thread, to let her know you are signing in. Thank you so much.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 16:29

Hello Smile


Such a heartwarming response, marvellous.

Thinking of James X

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 16:31

Smile

It is marvellous. Warm hearted woolly folk. Smile

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PeggyCarter · 07/07/2012 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Idratherbeknitting · 07/07/2012 16:38

Hi, am signing up for some knitting for this blanket please.

I missed the last posting for the last one, so have a few squares made already.

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MOSagain · 07/07/2012 16:39

so very sad to see another blanket needed. Please put me down for some wobbly bottomed squares

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PurplePidjin · 07/07/2012 16:41

Thanks wonderful people

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twitchrabbitbouncebounce · 07/07/2012 16:46

I have pm'ed i can knit, but would rather do plain squares - I can embroider but I wouldn't want to make a mistake and fuck up a lovely group effort.
this is such a lovely idea & my thoughts are with Mumof2teenboys, and her family.
MN is a lovely place, this is such a lovely idea.

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mothmagnet · 07/07/2012 16:47

What awful news Sad
Best wishes to mumof2teenboys and her family, for the time ahead.

I can knit/crochet and will pm Pistey. Thanks for organising this, as always Thanks

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 16:48

Twitch, the mantra is:

Simple squares are good; simple squares are essential

Smile

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givemeaminute · 07/07/2012 16:49

Thanks all. PM sent. I've lurked here for a while but I'd love to be able to contribute. I can get to a wool shop on Fri but if I can be matched up with wool before then I'll start before then.

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Pleiades45 · 07/07/2012 16:49

Pistey, I have pm'd you.

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 16:50

Every square is valued. They can be plain, fancy, any pattern you like really. Their true value is the thought and love gone into them. Smile

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tribpot · 07/07/2012 16:52

Thank you, JoyfulPuddlejumper ! At the moment we are still gossiping talking on the previous Support thread but come on over, we can get you through almost anything that the Evil Genius MinnieBar dreams up for me us to attempt on her behalf Grin

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FaceCrack · 07/07/2012 16:53

I'm a beginner knitter but would love to do some plain squares as I can't do anything else. Do you prefer experienced knitters only? I won't be offended.

So sad to hear this Sad.

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tribpot · 07/07/2012 16:54

FaceCrack, all are very welcome.

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 16:57

FaceCrack, we have many beginner knitters who have learnt so that they could take part.

You are very welcome here Smile

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FaceCrack · 07/07/2012 17:00

Aah lovely! You've made my day, I need a project. I will wonder over to the other thread after I've PM'd piste.

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PurplePidjin · 07/07/2012 17:00

FaceCrack, all squares knitted with love are valued. My absolute favourite square was sent to me with a stitch marker holding it together because the maker had taught herself to cast on and knit but not had time to learn to cast off. The sheer amount of effort that must have taken, to do something for a stranger from the internet, is what these blankets are about.

Many regular contributors have taught themselves, including Pistey (knitting and crochet) and there are support threads running for both - Trib's linked the knitting one, give me a mo and i'll link the crochet one for you.

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BarbaraWoodlouseAspiringHooker · 07/07/2012 17:14

Can't PM from my iPad (I can't anyway, not saying it's definitely not possible!) but I'm in and will PM Pistey when I can kick DH off the laptop!

Will be knitting not hooking though despite my new name - crochet is H.A.R.D Confused

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Jules146 · 07/07/2012 17:16

So, so sad, I'm in and have PM'd x

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KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 17:16

Crochet is hard to begin with, Babs, but it suddenly clicks then you're away. Smile

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IShallWearMidnight · 07/07/2012 17:19

Will pm when I'm not on my phone, but sign me up for a few squares - I have a wool shop down the road from my office and haven't yet had a justifiable to DH reason to go in. Will go and see what wool they have on Monday.

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