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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:
Nyx · 15/07/2012 22:52

Hello everybody. I received my donated lovely ball of Debbie Bliss purpley soft gorgeousness (aka yarn) a few days ago, and am knitting my first square. Thank you to the person who donated, sorry I don't know who it is! I have had to unravel and re-do it twice, trying to get the size right (grrr) but I believe I'm getting there...and hopefully I'll get them done quickly now I've got it started!

The crochet squares I've seen on this thread are simply gorgeous, every single one of them. I didn't think I liked crochet, but have now realised I love it! I'll have to see if I can teach myself sometime.

I am pleased to be able to be a part of this, even though it's so sad that it's needed.

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 15/07/2012 23:16

MJB, beautiful squares - I love the colours

Somersaults · 15/07/2012 23:36

First square finished :)

I'm thinking that I can try knitting some sort of pattern into my next one.

itsnotjustaslap · 16/07/2012 00:06

Is it too late to sign up to knit? Would love to do a square

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 06:12

Morning everyone Brew

Nyx We are glad to have you with us, and welcome to ItsNotJust I shall come to you now...

Then off to work as usual this morning, back at lunchtime
Thanks

KnottyLocks · 16/07/2012 07:29

Morning all Smile

OP posts:
Jules146 · 16/07/2012 08:05

Morning all :)
Anyone need one of these Brew ?

KnottyLocks · 16/07/2012 08:13

Pints of it, Jules! Smile

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 16/07/2012 08:26
Brew
BIWI · 16/07/2012 08:30

All these squares are so beautiful!

I'm very glad that the colour combinations worked out. Choosing the wool online isn't easy as the colour 'swatches' they show aren't great.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 13:30

You are absolutely right lovely BIWI, often the photos are poor representations. But you dun good!! Thanks

And, hooray! Tis lunchtime Smile

Answering lovely PMs, many thanks all Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 13:43

Really hoping to hear more news of woolly arrivals

LibrariansMakeNovelLovers · 16/07/2012 14:54

I completed one square on saturday - not very interesting - moss stitch with a plain sss border but I thought it would set off some of those lovely crocheted flowers Grin going to start another one tonight/tomorrow.

WoollyWoolfe · 16/07/2012 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thumbwitch · 16/07/2012 15:50

ss = stocking stitch, not sure about sss though!
Moss stitch is very pretty - I made an entire blanket using a type of moss stitch (instead of K1, P1, I did K2, P2) and it's very effective, a sort of diamond pattern.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 16:09

Lovely Thumb - you are a crafty type! Get woolly wool and needles Grin

Thumbwitch · 16/07/2012 16:20

No sweets, I could but being in Australia is a bit of a bar to the whole posting on time thing - plus I'm terrible at getting anything completed thinking of the vest top I have for DS on the needles since spring 2010, still not done the neckband...

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 16:38
Grin
puddleofpiddle · 16/07/2012 16:48

I'd like to make some squares again. I think I have some wool left over from last time but will have a proper look for it tonight once the dc are in bed!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 16:59

Hello there piddle Smile Glad to have you on board again, I'll send you the info for this project X

LibrariansMakeNovelLovers · 16/07/2012 17:29

hah, yes, extra s slipped in there Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 18:55

Any more woolly wool arrive today?

Umami · 16/07/2012 19:19

No woolly wool here yet.

Rumours · 16/07/2012 20:39

I've done my plain squares and I'm in awe of the wonderful crocheting being done, so much so that I got a book out of the library today and have managed to crochet a flower and I've sewn it onto one of my squares. You crocheters have really inspired me Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/07/2012 20:41

Umami, it will come, tomorrow, fingers crossed for tomorrow Smile

Two lovely donors to thank tonight, your donations have arrived safely with us and we are very grateful to you...

Thanks fivegomadindorset

Thanks EverybodyKnows