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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:
McKayz · 07/07/2012 20:03

I've PM'd Pistey to donate some wool.

So sad Sad

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 07/07/2012 20:27

I can knit and crochet, and i can embroider too. Can i request a donor please?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 20:57

Am just working my way through a lovely big pile of PMs from fabulous Blanketeers, please bear with me, there are a fair few Smile Thanks

KnitterNotTwitter · 07/07/2012 21:03

Will knit for this. Can't pm as on phone. Have wool already, don't need more.

Love to the family.

Yani · 07/07/2012 21:07

Pistey - You are a star.
Can't pm on phone, but pls sign me up as a donor. Will gladly send two balls.
Will elbow dp off the pc & pm you from there x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 21:17

Thank you to you two Thanks

I shall sign you up lovely KNT, and lovely Yani I shall come to you, give me two ticks X

OpheliaBumps · 07/07/2012 21:29

Oh my goodness, I've just read mumof's thread. These squares are going be be even more poignant for me, I lost my best friend at the same age in very similar circumstances. It was 20 years ago but this has brought it all back as if it was yesterday Sad

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 21:37

Hey Ophelia, hug for you my lovely girl X

Eskarina · 07/07/2012 22:22

Just signed up. So so sorry another blanket is needed. I saw mumoftwo's bereavement thread yesterday, it's just heartbreaking. Love to all the family and friends x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/07/2012 22:33

Such a fabulous response in only a few hours, really very moving. We are thinking of James, his family and friends X

Thanks All PMs are replied to, I shall catch up first thing.

Night all X

MinnieBar · 07/07/2012 22:42

Night blanketeers

Peace to all x

blondieminx · 07/07/2012 22:43

I can't knit but will donate Smile. Will PM Pistey Thanks

craftynclothy · 07/07/2012 22:45

I'd like to offer to crochet some squares again. Can't pm at the moment as on phone

KnottyLocks · 07/07/2012 23:06

Many thanks to you all. Thanks Bless you.

Thinking of James and his family.

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 07/07/2012 23:07
Thanks
Youcanringmybell · 08/07/2012 07:59

I have pm'ed Pistey. I would love to help.
Flowers

AllMuddledUp · 08/07/2012 08:31

Pistey, I have just PMd you.

Thinking of Mumof2teenboys and all James' family and friends.

More sad news this morning about expat's gorgeous Aillidh Sad

JulesJules · 08/07/2012 08:40

Hello, have just seen this. I saw Mumof2teenboys thread, how terribly sad.

I would like to knit a couple of squares.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 08:56

Hello there everyone Brew

In between MN crashing and going off line, I hope to have replied to all PMs. Honestly, such a moving response from our community. Am really blown away.

Thinking of James, his family and friends

Sending much love
Xx

PippiL · 08/07/2012 09:01

Will pm you now pistey.

It's an emotional day today. When my DD 8, asked me why I knit squares. I said because I'm not too good at a lot of things. But this I can do.

McKayz · 08/07/2012 09:20

Pistey, I pm'd you last night. Has it got lost?

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 08/07/2012 09:22

Pippi I say the exact same thing - there isn't much you can do or say to help a person who has had a bereavement, but I can do this.

I'm also very emotional this morning. Sad

My DD1 tells everyone with great pride about why I knit squares. I don't think it will be long before I am posting squares from her too. I hope she isn't better at it than me Hmm Tis quite feasible.

Love and hugs to everyone this morning, go give your kids a cuddle and knit with gusto.

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 08/07/2012 09:34

I am so terribly sad today for all the families who have needed blankets. Reading Aillidh's story from the beginning has really opened my eyes as to how lucky my family and I really have been.
Will be giving my babies extra hugs today, that's for sure

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 08/07/2012 09:34

I am so terribly sad today for all the families who have needed blankets. Reading Aillidh's story from the beginning has really opened my eyes as to how lucky my family and I really have been.
Will be giving my babies extra hugs today, that's for sure

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 09:40

I am having quite a few problems with MN crashing and sending PMs this morning, Kayz you should have mail from me, but MN crashed as I was sending both times. It is in my outbox, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has actually gone, we've had this problem before. Can you just put a note on here if you have it?

Sorry