Support thread for Mumof2TeenBoys' and Expat's Blankets

[tribpot]

Following on from the terrible news of the loss of Mumof2TeenBoys' ds, a new Woolly Hugs project has been started and, as ever, MNers have stepped up to offer whatever little comfort we can to Mumof and her family. We also keep close in our thoughts Aillidh, the dd of expatinscotland, who died yesterday.

We've put together some general info mostly about knitting but with some crochet bits thrown in, which should get you started but please feel free to ask for any help - I'm not sure if the crocheters are going to set up a new support thread but their current one is found here.

Please dive in - we will inevitably end up talking bollocks rubbish at some point but all are welcome aboard.

Also waiting for donated yarn. Making a start on DD2's cardigan for autumn while I wait. Tis DD1's birthday party tomorrow, I have baked three kinds of cake today as she wanted afternoon tea, she is a funny creature.

Essentially what happens is you memorise the pattern, Puddlejumper. So it gets hugely easier to do when it's not the first time around.

The other big thing, and particularly for something like moss stitch, is you need to know what the stitches actually look like, so you can tell whether the previous one was a purl or a knit. Inevitably you'll have to put it down mid-row and you'll need to be able to figure out where you are when you pick it back up again. I think with hindsight I should strengthen the advice in the guide that moss stitch is a bit of a ballache pain for beginner knitters. All the back and forth with the yarn, for starters. It does look lovely in the end, though!

For very complicated patterns you can use stitch markers to remember where the repeats are - but obv not for moss. It's all bloody repeats!

Made a start on a plain purple square for Mumof2's blanket. Found a stash of various wool that might go well for embroidering letters so will get on with that over the weekend

I am spending the evening sewing in ends. I've managed 6 squares from 2 balls of the Rowan.

Lovely redrosie has sent me a PM trying to explain her check pattern - she may live to regret it! I'm already baffled!
Tried to do the 3 heart square that I managed ok right when I started but somehow cocked up on about row 19 so have had to frog it.... So cross with myself for going wrong. hey ho - practise makes it marginally better perfect and all that

Right - I am only baffled as I didn't read the very clear and concise instructions properly and I am right now at being so dim. I need some

bobkate, as an optometrist I can only advise that the drinking of wine does not in any way aid the reading of instructions.

Barbara, blind carrier pidjins would explain a lot

New flower crochet pattern - has this been spotted by the crocheteers?

msbuggywinkle - hope the party goes really well, 3 cakes sound like an excellent idea to me

chip - I'm sorry I smiled at the thought of you being stern, you are too luffly!

trib - love the heart, think it might be beyond me, but there are plenty who could. I need to be compiling a collection of patterns for the website , so this could be a good start!

More woolly wool wil be arriving today, just hoping some gets to Formerly or she'll be sulking again

It is Aillidh's funeral this morning, desperately sad, a day that was hoped against hope would not come. Love and thoughts are with them all X

I'm off for a run then going to pick up my wool. Will think of Ailidh all the way round.

Pistey, there's a number of crochet patterns in the guide at the mo, gives you a place to start.

I understand that Aillidh is going to be buried with a blanket that was knitted for her earlier in her journey (I hope it's alright to say that on the board, I can report my post if not). I am glad for whatever small comfort our work on these blankets can bring to the bereaved. "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies". (Mother Teresa)

A sad day. :(

bobkate - are you ok now? It was as clear as I could make it, but yesterday was a long one for me, so do ask if you want further clarification.

If there is remaining confusion I could run what I sent you by the knitting Godess Trib to see if it can be expressed better?

Failing that - do stocking stitch with a two or three knit stitch border? That always looks good (there is a pink one on my profile somewhere) and sometimes the experts knit/embroider lovely things to set them off.

Simple squares are very important. I should know.

Aillidh and her family, and in that I include Giraffes are surrounded by the love of so many, near and far, and someone described the blanket as a tangible sign of that. Hearing it goes with Aillidh on this step of her journey creates such a mixture of emotions and touches me so deep within, and I am certainly not alone on that I know.

Like you trib, I am so glad for whatever small comfort our work on these blankets can bring to our families, I often feel so humbled and floored by the love and strength of our little woolly community.Your quote is so appropriate isn't it? But whilst some of us made squares, along with many others for Aillidh, we can't take the credit for the organisation and putting together of her blanket, that was done by a group of Expat's friends off the boards.

I am just starting my square for expat, it will be simple as usual but it will be made with love. I am holding them all close in my thoughts this morning X

I'm sitting here feeling a little bit very at my inadequate squares. I did a couple of what I thought were granny squares for a previous blanket (they were destined for either MrsKwazii or Wubbly) and quite what I made, I don't know, but they don't look anything like the one I'm currently making for mumof2 ~ this one, although with a few mistakes and bigger holes than there are supposed to be, looks vaguely like the ones in the books. Don't know where I got my previous pattern if you can call it that from . Hope someone was able to at least use the wool from my previous squares.
(I've also made about 10 of those kinds of squares with cheap, acrylic wool for myself but I'll still use them and just put it down to, ahem, experience)

Thanks rosie - yep now I've read it properly it all makes perfect sense . Chip totally agree and maybe it might have been wise to actually wear my glasses in the first place instead of still pretending I don't really need them
I too have been thinking of Aillidh and her family and friends and will be thinking of them all day.

Sorry, hadn't seen that Ailidh's funeral was today.
Apologies for my previous insensitive post.

Thoughts are with Aillidh and all her family and friends today. Such a sad day for all :( :( :(

I've got my wool and it's made my cry. Poor poor expat today, what she must be going through. This is my first blanket I'm involved with and I feel quite privileged. You old hands should be very proud of yourselves for what you have achieved.

I'm thinking of wee Aillidh and James today.

Will be thinking of Expat & Aillidh and all their family today

I have a heavy heart today. I cuddled ds a little tighter this morning. I just cannot bear the thought of what expat must be going through today. :(