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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:
KnottyLocks · 17/07/2012 07:07

Morning all Smile

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 17/07/2012 08:35

Morning knotty!

OhBurger · 17/07/2012 11:05

I have my wool, will get started after lunch :) thank you to my donor, it's a lovely purpley colour...

Birnamwood · 17/07/2012 11:59

Morning

I'm halfway through my first square, I've managed to master moss/seed stitch (one or the other Blush looks good anyway!) and considering I couldn't knit a stitch until last Thursday, I'm quite proud :)

However, I seem to have used more than I hoped and don't think I'll get two squares out of the one ball, so if anyone is still wanting to donate some wool I would be grateful if they could send it this way :)

Livelongandprosper · 17/07/2012 12:00

My wool has arrived this morning! Thank you to my lovely donor, it's beautiful - pink and pale blue and I shall get started straight away Thanks Thanks Thanks

Jules146 · 17/07/2012 12:07

Birnamwood, if you weigh your square when you're done and then weigh the wool you have left u will be able to work out if you have enough wool to do another square Grin

Birnamwood · 17/07/2012 12:08

Good thinking batman! Grin

KnottyLocks · 17/07/2012 12:11

Birnam, you should probably have enough left for a simple garter or stocking stitch square, which can weigh between 8 and 14g depending on your tension.

OP posts:
HairyToedHobbit · 17/07/2012 13:01

My yarn arrived this morning and I'm about 1/3 way through my first square with Debbie Bliss apple green. It is lovely to knit with Smile.

WheresMyCow · 17/07/2012 13:42

Whilst I was browsing wool sites, Aillidh's song came on the radio (Call Me Maybe) so that made me decide to have a go at a square Smile

So, for someone who hasn't knitted since she was about 12 27 years ago Shock and has never crocheted, which is going to be easiest to do and which wool will be easier to use for a complete novice? Any advice welcome Grin

bobkate · 17/07/2012 13:53

Thanks to my donor ( StellaMarie I think ) - my lovely Debbie Bliss wool arrived this morning, perfect timing as I'd just finished my squares for mumof2s blanket last night so I can get cracking tonight. Two really lovely pinks so thanks v much Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/07/2012 14:20

Such good news that more woolly wool is arriving today Thanks Just answering PMs.

Check MNWoollyHugs Facebook out too if you haven't already seen the cute litre octopus and twitter birds.

WheresMyCow - I have very little experience of of yarns, but when I first went back to knitting, I tried with a cheapo acrylic that was horrible to use, so poss wouldn't recommend that. Of our four I am favouring the Debbie Bliss at the moment, seems to be easy to work with. I went back to knitting having not done it since I was a Brownie Grin and it did come back to me, so I think, maybe if you have learnt once, that knitting might be the one to try first? Good luck though, and do let us know how you get on!

bobkate · 17/07/2012 14:24

Posted a pic on my profile of my youngest saying thank you in her best way to our woolly donor!
oh and wheresmycow I have only just learnt to knit, and I've been using the Debbie Bliss and have found it nice to use. Not tried any others, but as a beginner I've liked this wool - if that's of any help at all! Smile

goinggoinggoth · 17/07/2012 14:25

Hi Piste my wool arrived at my parents today, can't wait to get my hands on it later this week. Please pass my thanks on to my doner.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/07/2012 14:27

Awww... lovely pics bobkate! You have mail from me Thanks

And goinggoing - excellent news! I most certainly will Thanks

bobkate · 17/07/2012 14:33

Thanks - I'm getting a bit confused as to what to post where, and who's posting on what thread and so thought I'd put a post on both! Smile thanks for the pm Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/07/2012 15:16
Wine
BIWI · 17/07/2012 15:20

bobkate - your DD is so cute!

WheresMyCow · 17/07/2012 16:28

Debbie Bliss it is then. Will get some wool and needles ordered and will have a go!!

That's 2 skills I'll be re-learning over the next couple of weeks although knitting is definitely preferable to riding a bike

WheresMyCow · 17/07/2012 16:48

Ordered Grin DH will wonder what on earth I'm doing now!! All I have to do now is do some googling for how to cast on, how to knit.......Blush

KnottyLocks · 17/07/2012 17:19

YouTube has easy to follow tutorials

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 17/07/2012 17:21

When I started knitting again, then crochet my DH thought he'd find me in hairnets and support stockings on his arrival home from work. Daft begger Grin

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 17/07/2012 17:21

I've avoided the support tights but am rather liking me hairnets Smile

OP posts:
bobkate · 17/07/2012 19:24

Ah thanks BIWI

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 17/07/2012 19:36

well a hair net is one way to restrain knotty locks - boom boom Grin

Evening, is it Wine time? I've nearly half way with a diagonal stripy square. I have currently placed the bloody ballerina square where I cannot see it and will get back to it anon probably to unravel it and start again

I think I have been letting my design / pattern ideas get ahead of my limitedtalent Hmm. I think I'm going to stick to simply, well knitted squares for a while. I feel a round of moss stitch coming on - it seems to be in vogue :)