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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:
Mermaidspam · 14/07/2012 12:31
Grin
Thumbwitch · 14/07/2012 12:34

That is the loveliest pattern, Mermaids! Beautiful Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 13:03

magicOC - you have mail Thanks

soremummy · 14/07/2012 13:04

I'm jealous of that beautiful crochet. BUT I am going to learn to crochet hopefully on Monday Smile

KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 13:10

Afternoon, lovely woolly folk Smile

Gorgeous squares, I see! Smashing.

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 13:16

I've asked for this thread to be moved to Arts and Crafts so it can be preserved

OP posts:
CadleCrap · 14/07/2012 13:27

I am overseas and can't really knit but is there a fund I can donate to (paypal type thing) to help? Every time I see the call for a new blanket I shed a tear and hug my children a little to hard.

HairyToedHobbit · 14/07/2012 13:33

Is it too late to sign up to knit a plain square or two? Have only recently started knitting again after a couple of decades' break so getting quicker but sticking to the basics for now.

Loving the squares some of you have done already Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 13:47

Thank you CadleCrap and Hobbit - you both have mail Thanks

KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 13:49

Hello Cadle, Hairy.

If you PM Pistey with your offers, she'll talk you through it. Smile

We do indeed have a Paypal facility.

Thanks to you both.x

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 13:50

Smile Smile

Wolfcub · 14/07/2012 14:29

I ordered my wool yesterday and it has just arrived, it is beautiful. I am practising hard on some crap wool that I already had to make sure I don't ruin it's loveliness.

magicOC · 14/07/2012 15:23

Thanks pistey Smile

fanjodisfunction · 14/07/2012 16:44

Thank you to my donor, the wool has arrived a beautiful blue and heather purple. Thank you so much, Im going to spend all evening making our square for the blanket.

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 14/07/2012 17:10

I am half way through my second square, and I lost my cabling virginity on the first one. It worked too Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/07/2012 17:35

More thank yous tonight to more lovely donors. Either your wool has arrived safely with your crafter or your donation has arrived safely with us. Whichever it is we are so very grateful to you X

Thanks Amalur

Thanks RedRosie

Thanks ScrambledSmegs

Thanks CakeistheAnswer

Thanks StrictlyComeDancingDiva

Thanks WheresMyCow

Thanks ExitPersuedByaBear

Thanks PeggyBlacket

What a lot of stars you are Thanks

NormaStanleyFletcher · 14/07/2012 18:20

OK - I am in for knitting a square or two.

I need help.

WHich of these shall I buy www.deramores.com/debbie-bliss-cashmerino-dk

And am I OK to knit some sparkly beads into it, as she loved sparkle?

twofingerstoGideon · 14/07/2012 18:30

Thanks BettySuarez for the wool!

Somersaults · 14/07/2012 19:07

Bought my wool today, a lovely purple. They have a limited range of colours in the Sublime range there. I got the exact type of Sublime mentioned in the details but the Baby Sublime has some beautiful colours in it and feels (to my untrained fingers!) the same as the Extra Fine that is asked for. If we could use that as well I'm going to go back and get another couple of colours in that range. Do please let me know :)

I'm ready to start knitting but I've got to go out tonight so it'll be tomorrow now.

KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 21:01

Hello Norma Smile

Any colour you like as long as it fits in with the colour range in the OP.

We need to keep the beads to a minimum really. There are a couple of knitters working on beaded heart squares based on. Aillidh's magic blanket. I also have plans to add a touch of sparkle as the blanket is hooked together.
Trouble is, these will be very big blankets which will already weigh quite a bit, without the beads. Also being very mindful that Expat's will be in a home with 2 young children.

Trying to look at the practicalities whilst trying to make the blankets as personal as possible Smile

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 14/07/2012 21:05

Somer, if you could stick to the one you have , that would be great. We know it washes the same way as our other wools. The baby range often feels different once it's knitted up. Also we've not trailed it so can't guarantee it would hold the same way after a wash.

Many thanks. Smile

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 14/07/2012 21:30

Birnam I reckon a lighter shade of teal, or see if there's a meet up nearby so you can compare :)

Mermaud, that's gorgeous!!

Thinking of Aillidh Thanks

ExitPursuedByABear · 14/07/2012 22:51

Knotty I had to smile at your comment about these being very big blankets. Exactly how many squares are you anticipating?

Somersaults · 15/07/2012 00:17

That's fine, like I said, I bought the exact one recommended. I just thought I'd ask because the colours are so nice in the baby Sublime. If I knit anything for DD in the baby Sublime I could send it along separately from the other squares as a test/trial square if that helps. Then we'll know for future. No worries if not, I just know I'll be knitting with it because I've seen a beautiful pink that I think will really suit DD!

PurplePidjin · 15/07/2012 01:16

Exit, iirc 6' square is about as big as they can go before getting too heavy to be practical (144 squares)