Please or to access all these features

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 · 10/07/2012 07:58

My lovely, many thanks for your kind offer, I shall PM you

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2012 09:00

Morning all,

I've just noticed that Deramores have got 15% off Sublime yarns until 17 July, so it's £4.41 for the Extra Fine Merino DK.

SoupDragon · 10/07/2012 10:08

There is a discount code for 10%off at Deramores too - RAV12 I think. Another one is MM712.

HairyPotter · 10/07/2012 11:19

Thanks soupy and whoknows just had a wee look at Deramores and bought a few balls of wool.

I'm sure they will be needed at some time in the future Sad

SoupDragon · 10/07/2012 11:34

Kemps has some of the Sublime Merino in their clearance section. Not colours for this blanket though.

SoupDragon · 10/07/2012 11:36

There are appropriate shades of the Rowan at Cucmber Patch

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 14:15

Just replied to all PMs - great to hear of some woolly arrivals already

Many thanks to five fabulously lovely and generous donors this lunchtime, your donations have arrived safely, we are so grateful to you Thanks

Thanks HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey

Thanks Kayz

Thanks FiftyShadesofViper

Thanks ToTeSea

Thanks folicacid

You are all stars X

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 10/07/2012 14:21

Excellent am so pleased it has arrived.

Thanks for taking the time to update.

Youcanringmybell · 10/07/2012 14:21

I second that Piste... really wonderful and I felt very grateful to whomever donated the wool for me to knit up soon!!

Got two orders for things to fulfil and then I can concentrate on the squares (some people have actually asked me to knit some things).

I am making a patch work for my daughter at the moment and so am well into knitting squares at the moment. It is taking forever...Will put that on hold though for the Woolly Hug x

NUFC69 · 10/07/2012 15:28

I have just Pmd Piste (first time I have done it, so I hope it worked!).

So sad to hear about James.

McKayz · 10/07/2012 15:30

Yay! Very pleased it has arrived.

greengoose · 10/07/2012 15:58

Well, after much frogging etc I managed to get the word 'sunscreen' onto a square in a way that I'm happy with and you can read. I hope it's ok. ( I'm actually better at embroidery than crochet, so don't be too worried)! Others are finished too.
I'll pm now.....

soremummy · 10/07/2012 16:49

Well done greengoose I'd love to see a picture

LackaDAISYcal · 10/07/2012 17:14

aaargh... I thought I had paid for my ebay purchases, but something went wrong with paypal and I've had to pay afresh today. It's unlikely that I'll get my yarn before I go on holiday on Friday now unless I visit my LYS tomorrow So annoying! I was planning on knitting squares as one of my take-away projects :(

Whenisitmysleepytime · 10/07/2012 17:38

My wool arrive today! :)
Lovely leftovers in blue, green and purple. Just need to decide what to do with them!

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 10/07/2012 18:21

Thanks to my donor, a ball of Debbie Bliss cream arrived today.

GreatestGatsby · 10/07/2012 18:33

Oh, this is so sad. I was so hoping I wouldn't be knitting again so soon :(

Is there any need for more squares? I'm afraid I'm a bit late, and there seem to be a lot of lovely people already signed up but I have a ball and a half of Debbie Bliss Apple and would love to be able to do something small for the family.

Will PM Pistey now.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 18:36

Heartfelt thanks to the donors X

Thanks
Umami · 10/07/2012 18:36

Just seen this. Count me in for crafting.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 18:36

x posts Gatsby Smile I shall await your PM X

GetOnYourDancingShoes · 10/07/2012 18:39

My donor yarn arrived today, a lovely soft green and cream.

Thank you so much to all the donors...I feel that each square I make with this yarn carries the love of both me and the mnetter that sent it.

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 18:49

Evening lovely woolly folk Smile

The Last Posting Date for squares is 6th August

That's the last date for posting rather than the date they need to be with us.

As ever, Thanks.

You are all [stars] Smile

OP posts:
Pastabee · 10/07/2012 18:55

I can knit some squares. I'll PM you Pistey.

GreatestGatsby · 10/07/2012 19:27

Have PMed, and am going to accept Pistey's cross posts post as an invitation to cast on!

I am going on holiday on Thursday, but that's plenty of time to knit a couple. Am going to venture something slightly more exciting than plain stockinette this time Confused

I am listening to Sunscreen right now- it's so poignant.

OwFriggingOw · 10/07/2012 19:44

Thanks Piste - will send 4 balls worth tomo by post - you are ALL amazing - it's the most beautiful thing to do for someone, when they are going through the most unimaginable pain - a wooly hug, knitted with love and best wishes of so many.

I wish I was crafty enough to do the proper stuff - but hope I can send a little love to be weaved in to this one, and to future ones.

Much love to you all x