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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:
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 09/07/2012 17:09

*signed up, been matched and ordered even!

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 17:42

Oh we are very good at ordering Grin

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 18:11

Grin ....ordering.... Grin That makes you sound very bossy Knots Grin

Wine
KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 18:41

Moi? Hmm

Grin
OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 18:43

I prefer 'persuasive ' Smile

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 18:46
Wink
OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 18:51
Confused
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 18:53

Lots of wool is on its way to crafters, we may even hear of safe arrivals from tomorrow. Many thanks to everyone Thanks

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 18:54

Thanks to all. We have been very touched by your support Smile

OP posts:
HairyPotter · 09/07/2012 18:57

soupy that square is stunning, I am in awe. I want to try something other that knitting every stitch this time Blush and I'm trawling tinterweb for ideas that only involve knit and purl Grin

Thank goodness the posting date isn't for ages. I may be gone sometime...

KnottyLocks · 09/07/2012 19:03

Hairy , pop over to the blanket support thread. They'll have loads of suggestions fir you. Smile

OP posts:
tribpot · 09/07/2012 19:45

Hairy, have a look at the guide for many ideas!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 20:23

Who was in Peter Jones today looking at woolly wool?

Hmmmmm?

One of our Blanketeers is sure she spotted a fellow Mumsnetter in there today flicking between the Rowan Cashsoft and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and concentrating on blues, greens and warm purples.....??!

PM me if you like Grin

HairyPotter · 09/07/2012 21:32

Thanks Trib and Knotty I couldn't remember where to find the guide. Brilliant idea and so helpful to a incompetent knitter. Have found one that looked easy(ish) although I had to google a YouTube video of how to slip a stitch Grin

Have had to frog it twice so far but 16 rows in, it is starting to look pretty good. crosses everything

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 09/07/2012 22:08

That's excellent Pistey - know who it was yet? It wasn't me, but I'd totally have harassed the poor stranger Grin

greengoose · 09/07/2012 22:23

I'm so glad that a blanket is being made for mumoftwo. I have two little boys, my older one ten this year and shooting up, but they will still be my babies when they are 6ft. My heart aches for you mumoftwo.

I'll send some squares too.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/07/2012 22:29

Hello there lovely greengoose, that is so very kind of you X

And Dances - that would be telling Wink

MinnieBar · 09/07/2012 23:10

I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from asking either!

Soupy that square is exquisite. I so want to try crochet, and my hooks and book have arrived but so has a lucrative freelance job (I have been asked to write an actual BOOK! ) so I don't think I'll have time for this blanket.

OpheliaBumps · 09/07/2012 23:11

Oh soupy that's beautiful!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 06:05

Morning Brew

Just catching up with PMs then off to work until lunchtime as usual. Hoping to hear of some wool arriving with our lovely crafters today.

Thinking of James and his family X

Thanks
DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 10/07/2012 06:33

Greengoose I had to read that 3 times before I realised you meant shooting up in height not shooting up with heroin at least I hope you did prehaps I need to reset my brain Grin Hmm

tribpot · 10/07/2012 07:04

Minnie - this is very exciting news! Hope you'll tell us what you can.

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 07:14

Morning all Smile

I'm out and about this morning too but will be checking in as often as I can.

Please post any questions you have about this project and we'll answer them as soon as we can. Thanks

Thinking of James and his family x

OP posts:
greengoose · 10/07/2012 07:43

DANCES.....grin!

OwFriggingOw · 10/07/2012 07:57

I can't PM as on phone - but have watched the blanket threads and often cried over them (am a reg - NC'ed after many posts about losing both PIL in past 12 months) - I am rubbish at crafty stuff and know nothing about wool - but would v much like to donate some cash if poss towards this and future blankets. Do you have PayPal or anywhere I can post it to?

You are ALL amazing and so so caring :)