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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.

A Blanket for Expat: Sign up thread for donors, knitters and crocheters.

870 replies

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 14:25

It is with deep sadness that I'm starting this thread asking for your support.

Aillidh passed away on Saturday evening, in peace and surrounded by love.
Many of us have followed Aillidh's journey, our hearts touched by this brave and beautiful little girl. She will live long in our memories.

Our hearts and thoughts are with Aillidh, Expat and their family.

As part of this project, we will also be making a blanket for Giraffescantdance. Since Aillidh's diagnosis, Giraffe's has been a constant support and the most remarkable friend to Expat. She has walked this journey beside her and continues to do so, sadly understanding it only too well as she, like Expat, has experienced the devastating loss of a beloved daughter. Our thoughts are with her, as well as our thanks.

We hope that the blankets may give whatever comfort they 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. We now have a Paypal facility to make this easier for all.
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:

Pinks, blues, greens, warm purples, silvers and cream (preferably Debbie Bliss 013, if possible)

Ideas for squares:

The initials A, L, S , R and E

Motifs:
Aillidh loved all things girly, so any motifs that reflect this would be wonderful.
Plus roses and bears

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 here on the Woolly Hugs website. We also have a Facebook page: MNWoollyHugs and are on Twitter @MNWoollyHugs. If you 'like' our Facebook page, you'll be updated on progress via your News Feed.

As always, we thank you so much for your support.

Thanks Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 13/07/2012 06:45

Mermaid, one square crafted with love and thought means just as much as two, three or more. Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 07:20

Morning Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 07:58

PMs replied to, off to work as usual, back at lunchtime. Hoping to hear of more woolly arrivals today Thanks

Just a reminder that the last POSTING date for the squares is Monday 6th August

ThanksThanks

soremummy · 13/07/2012 09:58

Thank you to my lovely donor. Ive just received a ball of lovely pink and a lovely purple. Thank you for your lovely card aswell your first initial of your name is k. X

ShoopShoop · 13/07/2012 10:13

I think that might be me soremummy. Very pleased to help and thank you for putting your crafting skills to such good use xxx Thanks

Rumours · 13/07/2012 10:18

Thankyou my wool arrived this morning, it's a lovely purple Thanks

soremummy · 13/07/2012 10:31

Yes it was you Shoop Shoop thanky you so much the colours are really nice.

Mermaidspam · 13/07/2012 10:41

Thank you to the lovely donor of my wool, arrived this morning Thanks

rubycon · 13/07/2012 10:49

my donor wool has arrived, a cream and lovely shade of purple. Thanks

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 13/07/2012 11:05

rubycon I think that might be from me - very pleased it has arrived, and thank you :) Thanks

KnottyLocks · 13/07/2012 11:17

Fabulous to see wool arriving Smile

Many, many thanks to both donors and crafters Thanks

OP posts:
ScrambledSmegs · 13/07/2012 11:17

If anyone has received a pink and a green delivery of wool, can you let me know? I ordered on tuesday and would like to be sure that the crafty MNer has received it?

Love from a very Non-craft MNer x

PurplePidjin · 13/07/2012 12:52

I have beautiful soft pink and dove grey, thank you to my donor Thanks

OneWaySystemBlues · 13/07/2012 13:00

My pink and green arrived yesterday and I'm getting stuck in.

Thumbwitch · 13/07/2012 13:11

Have just ordered my wool for my crafter - hopefully it will be with you by Monday, if not tomorrow. :) Pistey will let you know who you are Thanks

mejon · 13/07/2012 13:16

Two lovely balls arrived this morning - a purple and gorgeous duck egg blue one. A big thank you to my donor (initials SC in Chester according to the invoice that came with the wool) Thanks.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 13:21

Lovely to have news of woolly wool arriving.

Smegs - , don't worry, you will hear. All wool recipients are asked to PM to let us know when theirs arrives safely so we can let the lovely donors know and thank them. Thanks

Lots of lovely PMs. I may be a while!!
Here I go............... Wine

PurplePidjin · 13/07/2012 13:24

Oops Blush didn't know that - sorry, Pistey!

DharmaBumpkin · 13/07/2012 14:47

My duck-egg blue arrived this morning, thank you & Thanks to my donor. I am planning on crocheting a bobble heart,thanks for enabling me to help :)

AllMuddledUp · 13/07/2012 17:25

My lovely wool has just arrived, gorgeous pink and blue sublime. Huge thanks to my generous wool donor, I will do my best to make the squares special. Thanks

magicOC · 13/07/2012 17:46

Mine will be underway tonight.

droitwichmummy · 13/07/2012 17:49

Hurry up train! DH tells me I have wool ready for knitting Grin

Milliways · 13/07/2012 18:15

If not too late I would like to donate as cannot knit. PM sent. :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 18:34

I know what colour it is Droitwich Smile

Milliways - you have mail. Thanks

Lots of smashing donors to thank tonight, just waiting for those getting in from work to see if there are any more arrivals.

Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 19:33

You know, we say it a lot, but it is true, the blanket projects couldn't function without the support of our lovely donors, we value them equally with our lovely crafters, tis perfect teamwork, and we have a lot to thank tonight....

Either your wool has arrived safely with your crafter, or your donation has arrived safely with us, and we give you our heartfelt thanks Thanks

Thanks MrsY

Thanks Mouseface

Thanks boomdecker

Thanks ShoopShoop

Thanks claireinmodena

Thanks EightiesChick

Thanks Zhx3

Thanks Alibabaandthe40nappies

Thanks ITryToBeZenBut

Thanks everybodysang

Thanks Pallindrome

Thanks Milliways

Thanks CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger