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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:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 07:34

Morning Brew

Baskets45 Cafe Knit are good, I would agree, also <a class="break-all" href="//99www.laughinghens.com/knitting-wool-yarn.asp?yarnid=1439" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laughing Hens stock it too.

Diva - Youtube is your friend Smile

Rumours - glad you sorted it, 28 it is then!

Oxy - those are seriously impressive! Lovely

to our lovely International Blanketeers.

Am off to a busy PM box, maybe more caffeine first!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 07:36

arse, that Laughing Hens link didn't work

maybe this time

seems OK, definitely need more coffee

Jules146 · 14/07/2012 07:40

Morning!

A Brew just for you Pistey and maybe one of these Biscuit would help too!!

maxmissie · 14/07/2012 07:45

Just to say ordered my wool on Thursday night so it should be on its way now.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 07:49

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

soremummy · 14/07/2012 08:06

Thinking of the family today x

Jules146 · 14/07/2012 08:13

Thinking of them all in this very, very hard time xx

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 14/07/2012 08:20

I just received two lovely balls in the post - dusty pink and apple green. I'm very excited and shall start knitting at once. Muchos grassarse gracias to my donor ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks I hope to knit something to make you proud :)

fanjodisfunction · 14/07/2012 08:34

Thinking of the family today.

Its a lovely thought that around the country and even the world, mumsnetters are crocheting and knitting squares for Expat and Giraffe.

OhBurger · 14/07/2012 09:36

Pmd you piste :)

catinboots · 14/07/2012 09:44

I'm happy to donate! Can you match me with a knitter please

Birnamwood · 14/07/2012 11:11

Right, mum has been round and given me a bit of a masterclass, I'm rusty but practicing hard, but I seem to be having issues with the tension. Any tips?

My wool also arrived yesterday from Hejhog (fantastic service from them, it arrived less than 24hrs after ordering!) it's a lovely teal colour (is this ok colour wise?) but I want to do stripes, what colour matches teal? and would a lovely mner like to donate it? I bought the artesano superwash merino Dk.

Sorry, lots of questions! Fortunately I've got some time on my hands as I've buggered my back and the dr says I've got to rest lots (well, keep a bit active but don't tell dp :)) so loads of time for practicing. Ds1 wants me to make him a pink wooly jumper, pants and swimming trunks Grin

Mermaidspam · 14/07/2012 11:39

1st square done, pic on profile. Not bad for a crocheter of 8 months Smile

Now looking or a pattern for the second one...

catinboots · 14/07/2012 11:42

Mermaid - that's amazing!!

Mermaidspam · 14/07/2012 11:46

Ah, thanks!

Can I ask if the donor of my wool (1 ball dusty rose, sent to the NE) had a cat? My kitten adores the purple bag it was sent in and is currently asleep on it now!

mothmagnet · 14/07/2012 11:47

My wool arrived yesterday, a lovely dusky pink. Thanks to my wonderful donor Thanks

My heart goes out to expat and her family today, I can't begin to know how she is feeling today.

mothmagnet · 14/07/2012 11:51

Mermaidspam, I think we have the same donor, mine is in a purple bag too. I'm going to try it on the cats now.

Somersaults · 14/07/2012 11:57

Wow mermaid that square is gorgeous!!

Jules146 · 14/07/2012 11:58

Mermaid, beautiful, where was the pattern from? Cute cat too!!

magicOC · 14/07/2012 12:03

Mermaid, that square is gorgeous. 8 Months Shock Amazing.

magicOC · 14/07/2012 12:06

Can someone pm the address where the squares are to be posted pls? TIA

Mermaidspam · 14/07/2012 12:10

Thanks very much

It was a ravelry one here

Pancakeflipper · 14/07/2012 12:13

Wow Mermaid, that is gorgeous.

droitwichmummy · 14/07/2012 12:13

Beautiful square mermaid - love the kitten too!

Chulita · 14/07/2012 12:13

My Blueberry pie wool arrived this morning, Thanks to my kind donor, it's a lovely colour!