My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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.

Woolly hugs

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:
Report
Itsjustafleshwound · 10/07/2012 14:42

Please count me in .... So wish that these requests didn't come up with such frequency ...

Thoughts and prayers with all.

Report
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 14:44

"Not a great knitter" is no reason not to create for this project. Squares are valued for the love and effort put in, not the complicatedness of the pattern.

Report
KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 14:44

Thumb, let Pistey know. Extra balls to your previous crafter may overwhelm her. I have a feeling we will have many crafters offering their help.

Scrambled, PM Pistey, we have ways for those without Paypal. Thanks.

OP posts:
Report
MikeLitoris · 10/07/2012 14:44

Can you pm me please pistey.

On my phone so it will only let me reply to pms.

I would love to donate again.

Dont have paypal but could send wool or money directly to a knitter if needed.

Report
nickelbarapasaurus · 10/07/2012 14:45

are we PMing for everything, or just for donating?

Report
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 14:46

Everything, please Nickel Thanks

Report
KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 14:46

Simple squares are good. Simple squares are essential

Is our mantra. The thought behind the square is the greatest value.

OP posts:
Report
mejon · 10/07/2012 14:47

Another one who lurked on the threads but couldn't find the words. I'd be honoured to knit some squares for the blankets. I'll PM you Pistey.

Report
TheRealMBJ · 10/07/2012 14:48

I will make a square and one on Blatherskite's behalf. Will PM presently.

Report
MittzbethSalanderLovesBouncing · 10/07/2012 14:51

Sad signing up xx

Report
SalagadooLamagicaboo · 10/07/2012 14:52

I would like to knit (plain squares) but I would need some wool,

Thinking of Aillidh, expat, and giraffe a lot these days Sad, she is an amazing little girl!

Report
SixtyFootDoll · 10/07/2012 14:53

I would love to donate, wish I could knit or crochet.

Report
DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 10/07/2012 14:54

I'm in, of course. I love that we are doing a blankie for Giraffe too.

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks As always you guys are amazing with your thoughtfulness and generousity. Mumsnet is very lucky to have!

Report
RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 14:55

Am replying to everyone, please bear with me, the response is absolutely amazing. I am blown away. Thanks

Report
Idratherbeknitting · 10/07/2012 14:56

Absolutley signing up for these blankets. I followed Aillidh's threads with hope, and now much sadness. My heart goes out to Expat and her family, and Giraffes as well.

If we can help in any small way, show love and support, then I'm in.

Report
AddictedtoCrunchies · 10/07/2012 14:57

Have pm-ed

Report
appleblossoms · 10/07/2012 14:58

Have PM'd you pistey. I'd like to knit some squares if I can be matched with a donor. Such sad news.

Report
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2012 14:59

I have pm'd, just marking a place on the thread.

Report
nickelbarapasaurus · 10/07/2012 14:59

okay. :)

Report
fledtoscotland · 10/07/2012 14:59

Have pm'd you piste.

Report
MooncupGoddess · 10/07/2012 15:00

I'd like to donate, will pm piste now.

Report
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 15:01
Thanks
Report
prettybird · 10/07/2012 15:02

Absolutely signing up for this.

Already have very pale pink wool which was got by accident for Matilda's blanket.

Pistey - if I combine the wool I got today with the left overs from the previous blankets (still have some dark green and two shades of blue) - then I could produce squares for both blankets? Would that be OK?

Report
soremummy · 10/07/2012 15:03

Will pm when I'm back from school. Count me in for these blankets x

Report
PeggyCarter · 10/07/2012 15:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.