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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:
NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 09/07/2012 00:03

Signing up/in - pistey I will PM you. I have just got home and my fresh supplies of wool have arrived so I'm all set.

Love to Mumof2 xx

CakeistheAnswer · 09/07/2012 00:23

So sad to hear about James. My heart is breaking for Mumof2. Sad

I'm rubbish at knitting. I did try a square, but it became a trapezium. Far better to donate.

Will pm you pistey. Thanks for doing this.

PurplePidjin · 09/07/2012 06:53
Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 07:27

Lots of PMs, heartfelt thanks, am honestly blown away. Have replied to all, and am off to work now, back at lunchtime to catch up.

Thinking of Mumof2 and her family, and of course James X

Thanks
SoupDragon · 09/07/2012 13:20

First square

I don't usually post photos of mine but I am in love with this one :)

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 13:22

Soupy, that's perfect Smile Thank you.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 09/07/2012 13:23

I'm at a loss as Bears aren't right for this blanket.

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 13:28

Maybe not this one, no. The sun, however, is just right. Smile

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/07/2012 13:29

How many balls are needed per square? I'm sorry if it says somewhere else on the thread, I have looked.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/07/2012 13:30

Oh Soupy that is just beautiful.

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 13:31

Ali, most people get at least two squares from one ball, sometimes more. Depends on how fancy the pattern is.

OP posts:
Glaikit · 09/07/2012 13:45

Ali I can get 3 plain knitted squares from a ball, but as knotty says it is all to do with the pattern your are doing.

Thumbwitch · 09/07/2012 13:49

Late to the "party" again :( - can I donate please? I'd rather like whoever I'm paired with to be able to do a star or maybe stars but I realise that's not really down to me. I know you're mostly doing suns and moons - but stars are a part of the celestial thingy too and might be nice to add in.

Who do I need to PM? (too late at night to read the whole thread, sorry Blush)

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/07/2012 13:49

Thanks Knotty, wool sent :)

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/07/2012 13:50

Thumb - PM Pistey.

Thumbwitch · 09/07/2012 13:50

OK, am idiot - didn't need to read too far back to see it's Pistey - will PM you now. Thanks

BigBoobiedBertha · 09/07/2012 13:54

I usually get 3 squares out of a ball with a bit left over.

Those doing the sewing together, do you want the left over bits this time?

What about stars to go with the suns and moons? As alternative to teddies.

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 14:37

Some stars will be lovely Smile

OP posts:
CakeistheAnswer · 09/07/2012 14:54

Have sent wool to my matched knitter today. I'm so grateful that she's doing the tricky stuff - I had the easy job!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 15:24

Tis perfect team work Cake and thank you again Thanks

Lots and lots of PMs, all replied to Thank you to everyone X

We have a fair few new Blanketeers this time, both donors and crafters alike, we are so glad to have you on board. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, please go in and like/follow us on MNWoollyHugs, we also have a website with pictures from previous blanket projects here : www.woollyhugs.com

BBB - we have been asking those who received donated wool to send leftovers for hooking together/embellishments, but not from those who have supplied their own.

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

WoollyWoolfe · 09/07/2012 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 09/07/2012 16:17

Thank you :)

WRT the donors, I've said before that this is what makes the Wooly Hugs so special - everyone can take part even if they can't knit/crochet.

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 16:37

Oh yes, we heart the donors Smile

As vital as the crafters and the wool itself Smile

OP posts:
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 09/07/2012 16:57

Marking my place for progress, have donated, been matched and ordered.

Am so pleased i can be involved, in a small way of something so very worthwhile.

Thank you

TimeForCake · 09/07/2012 16:58

Beautiful square Soupy!

Made a start on the first couple of rows of my square but will need to frog it as it's grown a bit big. This time, I must write down how many stitches I start with! I never seem to remember.
...simple squares are good, simple squares are essential thank goodness Wink