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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.

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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 · 08/07/2012 09:45

PippiL, MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain, AllMuddledUp

you should have mail from me Thanks

KnottyLocks · 08/07/2012 09:46

There was a thread in Site yesterday about people having problems sending PMs so it's not just us.

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 09:47

Many thanks everyone Thanks

KnottyLocks · 08/07/2012 09:59

Otherways to contact us if you have trouble with the PM system or MN crashes:

Email admin @ woollyhugs . com

Or message us on Facebook on MNWoollyHugs

OP posts:
CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 08/07/2012 10:05

Our love to mumof2teenboys, such utterly devastating news. Happy to donate yarn, can't seem to pm from my phone but will do from laptop later.

McKayz · 08/07/2012 10:17

Pistey I got both thank you. Wool ordered.

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 08/07/2012 10:37

I have done my first ever diagonal square for this one! I'm getting over confident - I might try a cable soon Grin

CiderwithBuda · 08/07/2012 10:46

Count me in. Am off on holiday today though so it will be two weeks before I can start. Will definitely do one as soon as I get back.

My heart goes out to Mumof2teenBoys. So very sad. My sis is bipolar too. It is so scary.

CoffeeandChocolateplease · 08/07/2012 11:38

Have PM'd you. Much love to Mumof2TeenBoys, such sad news

fanjodisfunction · 08/07/2012 12:13

Im in, such sad news. I will pm pistey now.

MyNewCatIsFab · 08/07/2012 12:39

I'll do some squares, have just ordered the wool.

PeggyCarter · 08/07/2012 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whenisitmysleepytime · 08/07/2012 14:17

Pistey - just picked up that group message you sent out. Thanks

Hook is poised and ready for action :)

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 08/07/2012 15:03

Wool sent. I must learn to knit, too...

tribpot · 08/07/2012 15:04

FabLatte - thanks so much. Please join us on the support thread if you would like to learn to knit. We're happy to help and you can take as much time as you need.

KnottyLocks · 08/07/2012 15:55

JoyfulPuddleJumper, DB 046 is a lovely blue grey. Not too dark at all. Smile

Thanks to everyone who has offered to help in someway. We've had a wonderful response.Smile

OP posts:
MinnieBar · 08/07/2012 16:06

Trib - do you think it might be worth starting a new support thread as the existing one is quite long, and people who weren't on the last one might be put off.

No challenge from me, at least not yet. MN feels so sad right now but maybe later

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 16:54

Just checking in and straight off to PMs Thanks

BigBoobiedBertha · 08/07/2012 17:04

I'll do a square or two. I have done them before so know the drill and have plenty of yarn. Could you let me know time scales, please? I am tied up with my patchwork this week (course work so can't be put aside) but hope to be free by next weekend.

Good choice to add the Artesano by the way. Lovely yarn.Smile

Many apologies if I have missed it, but are we doing a blanket for Expat as well?

tribpot · 08/07/2012 17:28

Bertha, prob best to check in with Pistey directly on expat.

Minnie - will start a new thread.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 17:35

Hello there my lovely thank you for thinking of Expat, that is so thoughtful,am just PMing you Thanks

And actually the PMs seem to working - hooray Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 18:23

They still are working [ThumbsUp]

All PMs replied to, we continue to have a wonderful response Thanks

And really good to have positive feedback for the Artesano, not used it myself yet, tried the sublime last time which was, well...., it was.... sublime really Smile

tribpot · 08/07/2012 19:09

New support thread for new blanket here.

TooOrangeyForCrows · 08/07/2012 20:43

Knitting needles at the ready. Am about to break have another go at PMing.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/07/2012 21:27

Received and replied to TooOrangeyForCrows [thumbsup]

Many thanks Thanks