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.

poor expat :( my thoughts and prayers are with her today.
And with mumof2. I know how terrible a sudden death
I'm so glad to be part of some physical comfort given to all these families, despite the awful circumstances.

My stepfather died last year after a long, cruel illness where many medical procedures had to be tried, but ultimately also caused more heartache and suffering.

When my Mum called me to tell me he'd passed, she said "nothing more can hurt him now".

It's not the same as losing a child. I know we all hoped this day wouldn't have to come. But thinking of Aillidh being buried with her blanket made me remember those words. Rest in peace, little girl.

I'm very sorry to read of everyone's losses. And flubba, please don't feel bad for posting about knitting today - primarily this is a support thread for doing the only thing we can do in order to extend a hand to those who are bereaved. In this endeavour, all squares are created equal.

You need to do a few more rows, Ivana, to see how it goes once you're in to the main body of the knitting. The width of the cast on row is usually narrower than the width of the knitting itself. That said, at 40 stitches and 4 inches, it sounds like you either need to go up a needle size or do more stitches. But do a few more rows (say, 5) and then measure. Are you finding it difficult to get the needle through the stitch? It's not meant to be a wrestling match :)

IvanaNap remember when you first cast on it is going to be smaller, you need to do about 10 rows for you to get a better idea of how big it's going to be! Hope it works out ok xx

"It's not meant to be a wrestling match"

I think table's probably easier when you're getting started, Ivana - although you'd never keep it up if you were gonna have to sit over a table forever! Once you're comfortable you can flop onto the sofa - or get a head start and flop now if you want.

Trib Are you collecting patterns for the crafting guide? If so can I suggest adding this pattern. I've made it for Expat's blanket (pics here ) and if you replace the final round with dc instead of sc (or tr instead of dc if you use British terms) it ends up 6".

crafty - I had been keeping crochet and knitting together here but the emphasis has been on knitting with some crochet thrown in. Now most of the text is up on the Woolly Hugs website, we've got a bit of a maintenance headache! What I think I'll do is start two new documents, one for additional knitting patterns and one for additional crochet, so that we can add them in when we next have time to update the website. I'll put yours in straight away, crafty.

At the same time, I think the written instructions for Moon and Star are finally ready for Rosie - the usual caveats apply about me not having test knit this.

Thank you Trib.

You're lovely.

:)

Another one thinking of Aillidh, Expat and her family and Giraffes today.

I'm not sure if this has previously been linked to (I don't know now how I found my way to it), but there are lots of nice ideas for some quite easy squares here

Hello

Um, we are getting a few PMs about beads. Could I very respectfully ask that we don't use too many please? As it is, Expat's and Giraffe's blankets will be large and very heavy. Add lots of squares that are beaded and they will weigh a ton.

Also I am very conscious that Expat has two younger children. I know from personal experience that beads are the perfect size to get lodged in little noses and ears. Less is more , please.

Thank you

Doh! Ignore me again, I see that the link in my previous post is in the crafters guide on the woolly hugs site. Sorry!

Don't worry Knotty. The likes of me wouldn't know what to do with a bead.

Have finished my double moss stitch green/blue striped square ... Will start on Trib's moon and star next week - in midnight blue.

Rosie I will be interested to see how your moon and star come out. I had a go earlier this week but I think my tension was off, so the moon was long and flat and the star was a bit squashed. DH thought it was a boat .

Neither - don't mistake me for a competent knitter!

I can always frog it and do something simple if when it goes horribly wrong...

Thread for those who would like a little RL support

Or to swap colours nosy into what everyone else is doing and eat cake

Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Good luck!

I am all out of wool - I thought I'd ordered more, but had failed to click on the final "place order". I have 4 more balls on the way, but they won't arrive until next week now. DCs have decided that they would like me to knit them a blanket each .

Phew! Have done two squares in a gorgeous navy. Is it Pistey I PM for sending details?

If there's not a time constraint, I could do more while I'm away camping (reckon there'll be a few days where we'll be sheltering from the rain), so if there's any wool donations left over for a simple crocheter to make into squares, I'd be happy to help...

flubba - yes, it's pistey

And enjoy your camping! Hope it is not too wet!

Enjoy camping flubba. Hope the blasted rain stays away.

I've completed with the help of mum a lovely plain cream square. Its a bit boring but I'm very proud of it. I've got silver and pink as well. I may even venture for a more complicated pattern with the next one (k1, p1)