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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:
BIWI · 15/07/2012 15:56

I am in awe, yet again, at how talented you all are.

Biscuit Brew Bear Wine

... for all of you.

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 15/07/2012 16:36

I've just finished some squares - thanks to BIWI who was my very generous donor
YOu can see them here
The top three are for Aillidh's blanket and the bottom two are for mumof2teenboy's blanket.

I'm hoping to make a couple more tonight

BIWI · 15/07/2012 16:38

Wow! Those are beautiful. How lovely to feel that I am involved in them! Smile

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 15/07/2012 16:54

Those are lovely PantryBoy. I'm tempted to get back into crocheting after seeing some of the squares - I've only rediscovered my (very) dormant knitting so far.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/07/2012 17:14

BIWI you are a Blanketeer with a heart of gold, and you are involved in them! Don't just feel it, KNOW it Grin And bless you. Thanks XX

Some thank yous this evening, we have heard of more woolly wool arriving with crafters, and have had more donations arrive safely with us. For both we say the most enormous thank you Xx Thanks

Thanks IvanaNap

Thanks bebejones

Thanks OneMinute

Thanks CadleCrap

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 15/07/2012 18:47

Pantry those are so lovely - I have crafting envy and may be embarrassed to send my latest ones. I hoping that jazzing them up with beads might make them less shoddy. Maybe I need to take up hooking Hmm

Oh and I love your name by the way. I get This Charming Man stuck in my head whenever you post Grin

fanjodisfunction · 15/07/2012 18:49

lovely squares pantryboy! and lovely wool colour donations Biwi.

bobkate · 15/07/2012 19:26

I'm very Envy of all those fancypant crochet squares....they are truly beautiful. I'm going to get cracking with my 2nd square for mumof2's blanket tonight....muttering all the while...simple is needed, simple is needed....

KnottyLocks · 15/07/2012 19:32

Simple squares really are essential, Bob.Smile

It's the thought and love in the squares , fancy and simple, that makes them very special.

OP posts:
Somersaults · 15/07/2012 19:36

I've bought more wool today in lovely colours. I'm doing simple, at least to start with. Mine's just a deep purple moss stitch square at the moment. I may be more adventurous with my next one but we'll see.

CoffeeandChocolateplease · 15/07/2012 20:37

Pantry those are gorgeous!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/07/2012 21:09

News of more woolly wool arriving safely with crafters - a huge thank you to our lovely donors, we honestly couldn't manage without you Thanks

Thanks MrsKwazii

Thanks maxmissie

More stars you will agree X Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 15/07/2012 21:16

I wish I could knit, I've seen some lovely knitted squares that I am so impressed by.

I've just finished my final two squares here

I shall PM Pistey and get them posted in the next few days

magicOC · 15/07/2012 21:17

My square for Aillidh is now on my profile, although it's nothing compared to some of the work being done.

Those crochet squares look amazing. Have never been able to crochet

Jules146 · 15/07/2012 21:22

MagicOC yours looks lovely :) I am in awe of anyone able to do '3D' style designs...! I am yet to get there!

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 15/07/2012 21:24

MagicOC, your square is stunning

magicOC · 15/07/2012 21:26

Thanks Jules Smile

You'd be very very surprised at how simple it is to do 3d.

If you know basic stitches, it's very easy to create.

ConnieBelle · 15/07/2012 21:54

Hi there, I am very new to this (Mumsnet) but would love to crochet some squares for Aillidh's blanket. I have Jan Eaton's 200 crochet blocks etc so will choose something from there I think. I don't have any of the suggested yarns but am happy to order some on-line. Please do let me know if you are short of any particular colour...Please can somebody tell me how I 'PM' Pistey? :o) x

TheRealMBJ · 15/07/2012 21:56

I have finished my first two square on behalf of Blatherskite. See here
Will do another couple (on my own behalf Wink this week)

TheRealMBJ · 15/07/2012 21:58

Connie just press the 'Message Poster' button next to RatherBeOnThePiste's name on one of her posts.

magicOC · 15/07/2012 22:01

MBJ Lovely squares Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/07/2012 22:01

Connie I shall come to you Wine

And for another time, if you look along the line with my name (anyones name) in, on the far right it says Message Poster, click on that and a message window pops up.

And lovely MBJ, really lovely Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/07/2012 22:14

Connie - we are sorted Smile

bobkate and StellaMarie - you both have mail from me Thanks

peggyblackett · 15/07/2012 22:36

Conniebelle . Glad you found the thread xx

KnottyLocks · 15/07/2012 22:51

Pantry, MBJ, gorgeous squares ladies. You [stars] Smile

And a warm welcome to our new Blanketeers Smile Thanks

OP posts: