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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 · 07/07/2012 17:21

Hello Wine

prettybird · 07/07/2012 17:22

I'll sign up too. It'll give me some projects to do while I'm on holiday Smile

I'll PM when I'm back on the pc.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 17:23

IShallWearMidnight - I'll PM you X

Give me two ticks..

AllMuddledUp · 07/07/2012 17:27

Such sad news, I'm sorry for your loss Mumof2teenboys.

I will knit some squares in memory of James.

purplewithred · 07/07/2012 17:30

Include me in for some squares. Ashamed I haven't been sewing the ends in so far, sorry Blush

PurplePidjin · 07/07/2012 17:37

From Knotty's OP

RatherBeOnThePiste will coordinate and match crafters and donors, and deal with the admin side. PurplePidjin and 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

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 07/07/2012 17:37

I'm in - I bought wool for the last one in these colours, so I am good to go. Terribly sad thread.

KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 17:44

We haven't set the last posting date for the squares yet, but it'll be in roughly 3 to 4 weeks time

Will get back to you as soon as we have that sorted.

OP posts:
TimeForCake · 07/07/2012 17:57

So sorry to hear the very sad news about James. I would like to crochet another square and will pm you Pistey.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 18:01

Cakey! Smile

TimeForCake · 07/07/2012 18:09
Folicacid · 07/07/2012 18:11

I would like to be a donor, I will PM.

BettySuarez · 07/07/2012 18:12

I have been matched up with a donor so will be sending through some wool and a box of maltesers to see you through Smile

What lovely, lovely ladies. I really do need to learn to knit but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to see through the tears Sad x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 18:17

Betty - that really is so very kind of you, many thanks for joining with us. You are a star. We ask those who receive wool to let us know when it arrives safely so that we can let you in turn know. We do that here on the thread, so look out during next week X

Thanks

Brew Cake

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 18:31

Up to date with all PMs, an amazing response, so many on board, marvellous. Thank you X

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Jules146 · 07/07/2012 18:38

Pistey I was just thinking the same thing, so many people have responded already :) Amazing how so many strangers pull together in such a sad, sad time :(

HairyPotter · 07/07/2012 19:01

Such sad news Sad put me down for two wobbly plain squares. Will pm Pistey.

OpheliaBumps · 07/07/2012 19:26

How awful. I'm in, I've pm'd you pistey

Whenisitmysleepytime · 07/07/2012 19:27

Count me in.

My cousin died in v similar circumstances in his early 20s. :(
My heart goes out to mumof2Teenboys.

Woolly hugs are amazing!

I'm pm-Ing you now

droitwichmummy · 07/07/2012 19:30

Saw the thread recently and thought a woolly hug may be needed. Will PM Pistey

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 19:34

Evening all Wine

Just coming to everyone, thank you so much, you are all truly brilliant Thanks

KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 19:35

I concur Smile

Absolutely brilliant Thanks

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 07/07/2012 19:44

A reply already - Pistey is MNing at speed this evening!

PurplePidjin · 07/07/2012 19:49

Seconded Thanks

prettybird · 07/07/2012 20:00

Pistey is a SuperWoman GrinThanksThanks