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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:
fanjodisfunction · 13/07/2012 19:36

is camped out on the door mat waiting for her donor wool, Im so excited to see what colour is winging its way to me.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 19:42

Fanjo - Your woolly wool was ordered yesterday by your luffly donor and I know what you have coming Smile

fanjodisfunction · 13/07/2012 19:59

its exciting its like waiting for christmas. thanks pistey

Hobs · 13/07/2012 20:02

Is it wrong to say I'm excited to see what wool has been sent to me? I mean it in the best possible way.

Rumours · 13/07/2012 20:10

Help! I casted 33 stitches and have knitted 30 rows and realised that it's going to end up being a 7'' square. I have unravelled it ad I'm going to start again, but how many stitches do you think i should cast now?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 20:12

33 is just a guide, how many you need really depends on your tension, when I knit, I only have to do 29 to get a six inch square, maybe a little experimentation? Cast on 29 and knit 10 rows or sommat and see where you are width wise by then maybe?

Am giving out knitting advice again Knots Wine

Rumours · 13/07/2012 20:17

Thanks, will do it now

McKayz · 13/07/2012 20:17

I cast on 31 stitches as my first square ended up 7" instead of 6".

Glaikit · 13/07/2012 20:19

And I need 35 for my 6inches! Wes all diffrnt!!

Pistey either step away from the wine or away from the knitting advice!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 20:23

Hobs your wool was ordered by your lovely donor on Wednesday, so fingers crossed for tomorrow, I don't know what colours you are getting. Smile

Rumours - how did you get on? No offence Kayz, but you must be very loose. Tension wise Grin

Wine
RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/07/2012 20:23

Wes all different fer sure Wine

Jules146 · 13/07/2012 20:40

I have used up all my 'recycled' and made some crochet squares!! Of all different colours I love using the recycled wool, it's amazing how much you can get out of all those 'bits'!

Rumours · 13/07/2012 20:51

Im working with 28 stitches and it's seems to be ok.

soremummy · 13/07/2012 21:04

I had itchy fingers/hands I admit I started that square pistey. It's looking nice I only done half cos opened wine instead will send pic tomorrow to make sure I don't have to rib back x

Hobs · 13/07/2012 21:35

Thanks Pistey and thank you to which ever lovely MNer donated my wool. I will let you know as soon as I have it!

iceandsliceplease · 13/07/2012 23:19

Have PM'd Pistey, but wanted to say a huge thank you to the donor who sent Debbie Bliss 18041 (greeny-grey) to Norwich. It has arrived safely and I shall start tomorrow Thanks

Baskets45 · 13/07/2012 23:24

Can anyone suggest a good online retailer that sells Artesano? I've had a look through my usual ones, in vain. I live in the sticks though might get to a shop shop tomorrow to see if I can get some of the Rowan or Debbie B.

strictlycomedancingdiva · 13/07/2012 23:32

Just been online to make a donation, maybe it's time I re-taught myself how to knit!

Will be thinking of expat tomorrow x x

Thumbwitch · 14/07/2012 00:53

Basket, cafe knit do - they're not as cheap as some of the others but I have found them to be mostly very good, and very good communicators (which I need, being overseas).

OxyMoron · 14/07/2012 01:54

Delurking to say thank you, mystery donor, for the beautiful wool. I have spent tonight turning it into 2 celtic cross squares as a very tangible prayer during tonight's vigil. Thinking of all Aillidh's family, in the widest sense, and wishing them all the strength, love and peace that they will need for tomorrow and the coming days.
Pics ,hopefully, on my profile if you want to see them.

Thumbwitch · 14/07/2012 02:01

They are beautiful, Oxy. Thanks

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 14/07/2012 02:16

Oxy, those look lovely.

PurplePidjin · 14/07/2012 06:40

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here

For anyone, like strictlycomedancingdiva, who are feeling a little under-confident. Meet ups all over the UK, the more people who sign up the more chance of finding other blanketeers nearby Thanks

OxyMoron, those are lovely Thanks